Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Changes In Temperature Of Heel Skin Under Pressure In Hip Surgery Patients, Vivian K. Wong, N. A. Stotts, H. W. Hopf, G. A. Dowling, E. S. Froelicher

Vivian K. Wong

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of external pressure of the bed surface on heel skin temperature in adults in the first 3 days after hip surgery.

DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study in a prospective, within-subjects, repeated-measures design.

SETTING: This study was performed at 2 acute-care hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen subjects (9 men and 9 women) with a mean age of 58.3 (±16.1) years were recruited after hip surgery at the 2 hospitals.

METHODS: Temperature sensors were placed on the plantar surface of each foot, close to the heels. Measures were taken when the heels were (1) …

Skin Blood Flow Response To 2-Hour Repositioning In The Long-Term Care Residents: A Pilot Study, Vivian K. Wong

Vivian K. Wong

PURPOSE: The purpose of this noninvasive pilot study was to examine the changes in transcutaneous oxygen (tcO2), skin temperature, and hyperemic response in the heels, sacrum, and trochanters in a 2-hour loading-unloading condition in nursing home residents who are positioned in supine and lateral positions.

DESIGN: A 1-group, prospective, repeated-measures design was used.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Nine subjects (5 males, 4 females) with a mean age of 85.3 ± 10.86 years (mean ± SD) who required help in turning and positioning at a skilled nursing facility participated in the study.

METHODS: Oxygen and temperature sensors were placed on the heels, …

How Heel Oxygenation Changes Under Pressure, Vivian K. Wong, N. A. Stotts, H. W. Hopf, E. S. Froelicher, G. A. Dowling

Vivian K. Wong

The mechanism of heel pressure ulcers after hip surgery is not entirely understood. The purpose of this one-group, prospective, repeated-measures design study was to examine how the external pressure of the bed surface affects heel skin oxygen tension in adults on the first 3 days after hip surgery. Transcutaneous oxygen sensors were placed on the plantar surface of each foot, close to the heels. Measures were taken on room air and with an oxygen challenge with the heels (1) suspended above the bed surface (preload), (2) on the bed surface for 15 minutes (loading), and (3) again suspended above the …

Physiology And Prevention Of Heel Ulcers: The State Of Science, Vivian K. Wong, N. A. Stotts

Vivian K. Wong

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 …