Decubitus ulcers and rehabilitation medicine.

The approach to management of decubitus ulcers is challenging and complex. Management should be targeted to prevention. Many factors will influence the development of ulcers and their healing. These factors include physiologic as well as sociologic elements. The physician's approach must be to consider all potential contributing factors and to translate these into an appropriate program of prevention and education and treatment where necessary. The treatment program should be based on physiologic principles, but should also take into account the full patient and his psycho-social emotional needs. Patient cooperation is very important. With good medical care and full cooperation of the patient, management can achieve a healed wound and a restored patient. If either of these elements are not present, the complications may include chronic local infection with abscess formation, osteomyelitis, sepsis, amyloidosis, and death.