Pressure-relief mattresses reduce the risk of bedsores forming and allow existing bedsores to heal more quickly. Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop because of prolonged pressure against the skin.
Some common sites of bedsores and skin ulcers include:
Tailbone and hips
Spinal column
Shoulders and shoulder blades
Cranium and sides of the skull
Ankles and heels
Any other friction point around bony protrusions
Patients with medical conditions that limit their ability to move and change positions are at risk of bedsores because the same part of the body is constantly in contact with a standard mattress. Pressure-relief mattresses ensure that pressure is regularly redistributed so that no part of the body is exposed to excessive pressure over long periods.