Heel ulceration – An exploration of the issues

Abstract

This article presents an exploration of some of the issues that require consideration in relation to the assessment and prevention of heel ulceration. The number of older people in the United Kingdom (UK) is rising with the fastest growing age group in the population being those aged 80 years. They currently constitute 4.5% (2,749,507) of the total population, this age group has increased by over 1.1 million between 1981 and 2007 (1,572,160 to 2,749,507), from 2.8% to 4.5% leading us to believe that the incidence of pressure ulcers may also rise. The prevention and management of pressure ulcers in orthopaedic patients, especially those on the heel, has been a long standing dilemma for nursing staff. The heel has been identified as the second most common site, accounting for up to 28% of all reported pressure ulcers. Authors have argued that heel ulcerations are notoriously difficult to heal and that management and treatment can be costly.