Can I Sit Up Now?!? (pressure sore)

[MNicholson81]

I have healed a one time stage IV pressure sore. My question is, can I start sitting up now? My wound Doc says yes however he has not been the best Doc when it comes to dealing with my pressure sore. I am scared to death that this pressure sore will open back up. I realize I will have to take it slow and do the whole 15 min 1 day, 30 min day 2, and so forth. I have completed my seating evaulation and now have a ROHO hi profile Quatro. So, do you think it is safe for me to start sitting according to this pic? This is on my ischil on buttocks.

[smashms]

Start with 10 to 15 minutes at first then check skin I would very gradually do this with frequent weight shifts and of course skin monitoring. The first days or weeks no more than 10 to 15 minutes a a day. Then work up from there if you are noticing any start of pressure then go back down to your previous safe tolerance.

[gjnl]

Make sure you thoroughly understand how to inflate and manage your Roho Quadtro cushion. If the cushion is not properly inflated for your seating position, you can "bottom out" which places pressure where you don't want or need it. You or your caregiver should check the cushion daily for proper inflation and positioning.

Store the pump and patches in a convenient to remember place. You'll need them occasionally.

Here are a couple of websites with videos and graphics that are a good reference.
http://www.therohogroup.com/roho%20i...eo_library.jsp
http://www.therohogroup.com/roho%20i...eo_library.jsp

All the best,
GJ

[MNicholson81]

Thanks for the replies. I would like a few more perspectives from other members. If anyone else could offer their opinion if they think this pressure sore is ready to be sat on. I am very scared of this sore opening back up.

Thanks so much.

[smashms]

Understandable I had a stage 4 also ended up with a flap after trying to heal it for about 6months before I had the surgery, I started my sitting program about 3weeks after the surgery and then it was only like 5 to 10 minutes a day for the first 2weeks. Now I am up to 12 hours a day any more than that and I start having blood pressure issues.

[KyleP2112]

It's great your wound healed w/out surgery. I've had pressure wound issues over the years along with surgeries too. Take it one day at a time, do lots of weight shifts/pressure reliefs and sit a bit more each day.

[Sugarcube]

Imo, that looks pretty good, but I would be very careful about sitting on it for long periods of time. Doubling your time up after just one day seems exceesive to me. I would start with 15 minutes at a time for a least a week, then gradually increase the time. Most important though, is to check it, and check it often. If you notice any changes, then cut the time down or stay off of it for a while until things get better. I'm impressed that you healed this all on your own. I'm sure you will continue to do well.

[lynnifer]

No. The dark pink part has too much scar tissue that isn't formed properly yet ... it would probably well up like a blister and open up again ... but I'm overly cautious. Just my opinion. I'd like to see it less 'dark' and more 'light' after all that time invested.

[MNicholson81]

Smashms, were you able to heal your wound any before you did the flap? Also, once you started your sitting routine how long did it take to get back up to 8 hours per day? Thanks for your help.

[smashms]

I did not have any luck healing my wound prior to the flap there was a couple of times at the wound clinic that they thought it was healed then it opened back up again. To get to 8hours it took me approx 2months give or take a few weeks. But I also did not have any complications or setbacks. It may ate you longer, just be patient and do follow the protocol to the T this was the 2nd one I needed a flap on and the first one I did not and it was almost a year before I was fully healed to sit 8 hours a day. Somewhere on here there is a sitting protocol that the SCI nurses use. It is a good one and actually the one I used this time.