Microstructural and mechanical characterization of human tissue at and adjacent to pressure ulcers

Department

Natural Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication Source

Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development

Publication Date

2000-12-01

Volume

37

Issue

4

First Page

463

Last Page

471

Abstract

This investigation evaluated the microstructural and mechanical properties of human skin at and adjacent to pressure ulcers (PUs). Healthy breast and leg tissue served as control tissue. The tissue was characterized through uniaxial tensile testing and histomorphometric analysis. The PU tissue had significantly fewer straight and wavy fibers, but the fibers present were significantly wider and longer than those found in the healthy control tissue. PU ulcer tissue tested in tension had significantly lower strains at peak stress, versus the control breast tissue. Tissue at and adjacent to PUs has undergone significant adaptation or remodeling, as a result of the pressure sustained by the tissue.

Keywords

Collagen, Decubitus ulcer, Microstructure, Pressure, Pressure ulcer, Skin, Strain, Stress

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