Pressure sores, also called pressure injuries, bed sores, or decubitus ulcers, are areas of damaged skin and tissue caused by sustained pressure cutting off blood supply. They're more common than most people realise, and they're largely preventable.
What Are Pressure Sores and Who Gets Them?
When your body stays in one position for too long, your weight compresses the tissue between your skin and the bones underneath. Blood flow drops. Without it, tissue starts to break down, starting with the skin, then the layers beneath.
Where pressure sores most commonly form
The most vulnerable spots are bony prominences: areas where bone sits close to the skin with little cushioning fat or muscle between them. When seated, the highest-risk sites are the sacrum and coccyx (tailbone area), the ischial tuberosities (sit bones in the buttocks), and the heels if the feet rest on a hard surface.
Who is most at risk
Anyone who spends long periods seated or lying in one position is at risk. This includes elderly Australians with limited mobility, people recovering from surgery, wheelchair users, and anyone with conditions that affect sensation or circulation, such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, or a stroke.
Risk increases sharply when sitting exceeds four hours without repositioning, when the skin is dry or fragile, and when there's any moisture from perspiration or incontinence.
The Four Stages of Pressure Sores
Pressure sores are classified by depth and severity. Catching them early matters: it can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a serious complication.
| Stage | What you see | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Redness that does not fade when pressed (non-blanching). Skin is intact. | Reposition immediately, improve cushioning, check daily |
| Stage 2 | Shallow open wound or blister. The outer layers of skin have broken. | See a GP or wound nurse; upgrade cushioning; strict repositioning |
| Stage 3 | Full-thickness skin loss; wound extends into the fat layer. | Immediate medical attention; wound management plan required |
| Stage 4 | Deep wound involving muscle, tendon, or bone. Serious complication risk. | Hospital-level care; specialist wound management |
On darker skin tones, redness may not be visible at Stage 1. Look instead for warmth, firmness, or a change in skin texture at the pressure site.
How a Pressure Cushion Helps Prevent Pressure Sores
A pressure cushion spreads your body weight across a larger surface area. This reduces peak pressure at any single point, including the sit bones and sacrum, so blood flow is maintained even during extended sitting periods.
What cushions can and cannot do
A good pressure cushion reduces risk significantly. It doesn't eliminate it. Repositioning, shifting weight at least every two hours (or every 15 to 30 minutes for high-risk users), remains essential alongside any cushion.
For Stage 1 pressure sores, upgrading your cushion and improving repositioning can reverse the injury without further intervention. For Stage 2 and above, a cushion is part of the solution but it needs to be combined with clinical care.
When to seek professional advice
If you notice redness that doesn't fade within 30 minutes of relieving the pressure, see your GP. If a family member has reduced sensation and can't feel discomfort, regular skin checks are important. An occupational therapist can assess the right cushion type and repositioning schedule for your situation.
Browse our full range of pressure relief cushions — or see our gel and air options for higher-risk users.
Key takeaways
- Pressure sores form when sustained pressure reduces blood flow to skin over a bony prominence
- The most common sites when seated are the sacrum, coccyx, and sit bones
- Stage 1 can be reversed; Stage 2 and above requires medical attention
- A pressure cushion reduces peak pressure. Combine it with regular repositioning for best results