Non-invasive Technologies of Tissue Viability Measurement for Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Developing Pressure Ulcer (PU) is one of the most common devastating complications following Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Following SCI, loss of sensation and mobility alongside changes in circulation leads to elevated risk of developing PU. Once a PU is formed, it significantly increases the burden on the individual with SCI individual and/or the caregivers and has substantial detrimental impact on the quality of life, independence, and dignity of a patient. Apart from personal consequences, PU also represents a significant cost burden for health and social care systems. Therefore, preventing PU formation is vitally important in SCI. Thus far, numerous prevention methods have been implemented, such as using various expensive specified cushions, patients regularly repositioning together with health professionals investigating significant time on monitoring patients using various subjective risk assessment tools. In spite of tremendous efforts, incidence of PU remains unacceptably high in people living with SCI. Without robust objective assessment tools to detect or monitor early sign of PU has been long considered as main challenges for clinicians and health professionals. This article reviews current non-invasive technologies for measuring risk of PU formation in SCI, and provides an insight in topics for further application and exploration.