The term pressure sores is perhaps more useful than bed sores, since it includes injuries caused by being in bed as well as those that result from sitting in a wheelchair or using an orthopedic device that presses against the skin.
Decubitus ulcer is a term doctors use to describe any such sore.
The problem is a common one in nursing homes and among people with disabilities. But just because it's common doesn't mean it isn't also quite serious. Once formed, pressure sores can take months to heal, can be quite painful, and can complicate and add to existing health problems. In worst cases, they can actually become life-threatening. However, there are steps that can be taken to stop them from getting worse once they've formed or, better yet, to prevent them from forming in the first place.