Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Publication Title

Journal of Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nursing

Volume

30

Issue Number

4

First Page

191

Last Page

198

DOI

10.1067/mjw.2003.133

Disciplines

Nursing

Abstract

The prevalence of heel ulcers across settings is high and is increasing. Prevention of ulcers requires knowledge of their etiology and the scientific basis for preventive care. The interaction between external pressure and the heel vasculature is central to the prevention of heel ulcers. This article focuses on the prevention of heel pressure ulcers. The physiology of heel tissue perfusion, the effect of external pressure on heel perfusion, as well as what is known about strategies to reduce external pressure and approaches to improve heel skin blood flow will be discussed. It is only through understanding of the physiology of heel tissue perfusion and its relation to external pressure that effective preventive measures to reduce heel skin breakdown can be adapted in clinical practice.

Comments

Copyright © 2003 Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. This is the author's post-print verison of a work that was accepted for publication. The definitive version of this article may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1067/mjw.2003.133.

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