Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Pressure Relief Cushion 🦽
Pressure Relief Cushion: How to Choose the Perfect Model?
In our extensive experience as a Professional Advisory Team at OrtoPrime, we have found that there is an ideal pressure relief cushion model for everyone, depending on their mobility conditions, weight, and whether they already have pressure sores or Pressure Ulcers (PU) in any part of their body. With this practical guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about pressure sores:
What is a Pressure Sore or Pressure Ulcer?
A pressure sore is a wound that penetrates the skin to a certain depth, caused by excessive and prolonged compression of tissues, the primary cause being pressure on the same area of the body for a long period. They typically occur when you cannot change position due to illness, injury, aging, overweight, or paraplegia. They usually first appear in the lower back area, around the coccyx, sacrum, or ischium, but they can also develop in other areas such as the heels, neck, occipital head region, and shoulders.
Why do they occur?
The compression between your body and the supporting surface during long periods of time results in high pressure from bones on the dermis, which compresses blood vessels, reducing or even disabling blood flow to the tissues. This leads to the onset of the so-called pressure sore or ulcer, which is why healthcare specialists recommend using pressure relief cushions and mattresses to prevent or treat them, as they significantly reduce pressure on the most vulnerable areas.
Grades of Pressure Sores
Pressure sores are classified by grades depending on the depth of the wound in the skin, ranging from a small red mark to hardened skin, and in severe cases, a wound that can be superficial or extend to the muscle or even the bone. The categories go from I to IV. Below, we include a brief description of each grade and a small diagram of the different skin layers and areas.
The area most commonly affected by pressure sores is the gluteal region (sacrum, ischium, and coccyx), which usually accounts for 50% of pressure ulcers, followed by the heels (35%), the neck and occipital head area (10%), and the shoulders (5%). With this in mind, it's crucial to use aids such as cushions, mattresses, and heel protectors to prevent pressure sores as much as possible.
Since the gluteal region is one of the most prone to these types of injuries, we always recommend using a pressure relief cushion for those in wheelchairs or those who spend most of the day sitting, such as elderly people.
Below, we show a clarifying image of the skin layers and areas:
Tips to Prevent and Treat Pressure Sores
Pressure sores are quite complex to treat because they require keeping the affected area free of pressure for as long as possible, which is difficult as they usually occur when the person cannot move much or maintain certain positions. Therefore, prevention is always the best solution.
If the person remains seated or bedridden for long periods, here are some basic tips we recommend:
- Change of position: moving the body at regular intervals is one of the best ways to prevent their appearance and relieve pressure from ulcers. If the person is bedridden, the ideal is to make a positional change every two or three hours. There are practical positioning aids that make these posture changes easy while offering comfort to the user at all times.
- Provide a balanced diet with plenty of liquids and protein.
- Review, clean, and hydrate the skin daily.
- Keep the skin dry by changing sheets and covers whenever they become damp.
- Use pressure relief cushions and mattresses specifically designed to prevent and treat pressure sores.
Pressure Relief Cushions: What to Consider When Choosing Them?
Below, we show the main factors to consider when choosing the right pressure relief cushion. The main function of these aids is to reduce pressure on the areas we use for support, improving blood circulation and reducing the risk of pressure sores and/or ulcers.
Factors to consider to make the best choice:
- Materials of pressure relief cushions for the coccyx: These cushions are made from various materials characterized by their softness and flexibility, including memory foam, liquid gel, polyurethane, latex, cotton, air cells, and Australian merino wool. Each material is ideal for specific users, depending on their weight, whether they have pressure sores, and their mobility level.
- Shape of the pressure relief cushions: Pressure relief cushions come in various shapes, specially designed for each part of the body, and the choice will depend on the level of risk and the area that requires the most protection.
- Weight: To choose the most suitable cushion, you need to consider the weight, ensuring the chosen cushion provides stability and comfort. Therefore, we offer various densities to perfectly adapt to the user’s weight.
- Location: Depending on the area with the highest risk of pressure sores or if you already have them, you should choose a cushion for the lumbar area, coccyx, legs, head, or whichever area is most needed.
- Risk: The risk of developing pressure sores depends on the time spent in bed or sitting. The risk is classified as low, medium, or high.
Types of Pressure Relief Cushions
Preventive Pressure Relief Cushions
Preventive pressure relief cushions are the most basic for preventing pressure sores or ulcers. They can be made from sheepskin or polyurethane. They are made with siliconized fiber and have the following properties: antimicrobial, breathable, waterproof, bi-elastic, and fire-resistant. Additionally, sheepskin or soft cushions allow for constant air circulation and prevent bad odours, helping with moisture evaporation. They adapt perfectly to all types of chairs, armchairs, and wheelchairs.
They are a good choice for people who, for health reasons, spend a lot of time sitting during the day but have a low risk of developing pressure sores as they maintain some mobility.
Here are some recommended models:
Sheepskin Pressure Relief Cushion
Polyurethane Soft Pressure Relief Cushion
Memory Foam Pressure Relief Cushion
Memory foam cushions are designed based on the suspension principle. Memory foam is a material that creates a viscodynamic massage, ensuring proper pressure distribution and enhanced comfort.
The covers for these pressure relief cushions are typically made from a material with fire-resistant properties, repelling liquids, making them ideal for people with incontinence.
They are a good choice for those who spend a considerable amount of time sitting during the day, and thus, for users who are at medium risk of developing pressure sores or who already suffer from them:
Anatomical 3D Pressure Relief Cushion
Viscoelastic Pressure Relief Cushion 50kg/m3 OrtoPrime
Viscoelastic Pressure Relief Cushion 80kg/m3 OrtoPrime
Liquid Floatation Pressure Relief Cushions
These cushions are designed based on the floatation principle, where a body is either fully or partially submerged in a fluid, causing a certain portion of the fluid to be displaced by the action of liquid floatation, and pressure is distributed evenly across the contact surface.
The internal structure of the Liquid Floatation Pressure Relief Cushions consists of cells that allow pressure to pass from one to another, ensuring the stability of the internal fluid, thus always ensuring that it performs its function in the prevention of pressure ulcers. The cover is made from different materials and comes in various finishes to adapt to the user’s needs and preferences.
They are the best choice for people who already spend long periods sitting during the day and thus, for users who are at high risk of developing pressure sores or already have them:
Liquid Floatation Relief Cushion
Gel Liquid Pressure Relief Cushion
Air Cell Pressure Relief Cushions
Air cell cushions or Air cell pressure relief cushions are divided into several air cells and are ideal for people who sit all day and are at a high risk of developing pressure ulcers.
They are one of the most complete models as their structure and materials guarantee greater comfort and more effectively prevent the appearance of pressure sores. This type of cushion is recommended for people with spinal injuries or those who already suffer from pressure sores or are at high risk of developing them. The cells work independently of each other. They come with a fire-resistant and waterproof cover.
Air Cell Pressure Relief Cushion + Repair Kit and Pump
Where to Buy the Best Pressure Relief Cushion?
At OrtoPrime, we advise and help you solve every obstacle by finding the products that best suit your needs. We are a Spanish company with extensive experience in orthopaedic products and assistive technologies for people with disabilities, special needs, or elderly individuals.
Through our online orthopaedic store, we ensure maximum dedication to provide the best service, aiming to find the most suitable solution for you. Therefore, if you have any doubts, feel free to contact us, and we will advise you on the best option depending on weight, time spent sitting, the degree of risk of developing pressure sores, or treatment for them...
OrtoPrime offers the best advice and assistance to assess each case and together select the best pressure relief cushion or other products from our pressure sore range for you or your loved ones and people with special needs.
To contact our professionals:
- Email: support@ortoprime.com
Visit our website to discover all the products available in our Health and Orthopaedic range to facilitate your daily life. Contact us, and we will solve your doubts.