A system for treating a tissue site having an articulation area , wherein the articulation area is a moveable joint , the system comprising: a dressing , comprising: a base layer including a periphery surrounding a central portion , a sealing member including a periphery and a central portion , the periphery of the sealing member positioned proximate to the periphery of the base layer , wherein the central portion of the sealing member and the central portion of the base layer define an enclosure , and a fluid management assembly disposed in the enclosure and including a first zone and a second zone , wherein the first zone is a movable joint for positioning at the articulation area of the tissue site, wherein the first zone is coplanar to the second zone and is for positioning substantially parallel to a treatment surface at the tissue site, the first zone includes a first absorbent capacity that is less than a second absorbent capacity of the second zone , and wherein the second zone is configured to offload fluid away from the first zone by having a greater absorbent capacity than the first zone; and a reduced-pressure source coupled in fluid communication with the enclosure . a dressing , comprising: a base layer including a periphery surrounding a central portion , a sealing member including a periphery and a central portion , the periphery of the sealing member positioned proximate to the periphery of the base layer , wherein the central portion of the sealing member and the central portion of the base layer define an enclosure , and a fluid management assembly disposed in the enclosure and including a first zone and a second zone , wherein the first zone is a movable joint for positioning at the articulation area of the tissue site, wherein the first zone is coplanar to the second zone and is for positioning substantially parallel to a treatment surface at the tissue site, the first zone includes a first absorbent capacity that is less than a second absorbent capacity of the second zone , and wherein the second zone is configured to offload fluid away from the first zone by having a greater absorbent capacity than the first zone; and a base layer including a periphery surrounding a central portion , a sealing member including a periphery and a central portion , the periphery of the sealing member positioned proximate to the periphery of the base layer , wherein the central portion of the sealing member and the central portion of the base layer define an enclosure , and a fluid management assembly disposed in the enclosure and including a first zone and a second zone , wherein the first zone is a movable joint for positioning at the articulation area of the tissue site, wherein the first zone is coplanar to the second zone and is for positioning substantially parallel to a treatment surface at the tissue site, the first zone includes a first absorbent capacity that is less than a second absorbent capacity of the second zone , and wherein the second zone is configured to offload fluid away from the first zone by having a greater absorbent capacity than the first zone; and a reduced-pressure source coupled in fluid communication with the enclosure . <EOS>