Skin morphology and its mechanical properties associated with loading

Abstract

It is recognized that pressure ulcers develop as a consequence of soft tissue reaction to mechanical loading of localized areas for a prolonged period of time, resulting in ischaemia followed by tissue necrosis. Therefore, in order to prevent the development of pressure ulcers it is essential to reduce the amount and duration of pressure and/or to enhance the tissue tolerance to ischaemia. In this regard, numerous studies have been undertaken in recent decades in the attempt to reduce the amount and duration of interface pressure applied to the skin surface, especially with regard to supporting surfaces. However, not much work has been carried out regarding tissue tolerance in terms of pressure ulcer development and how the structural characteristics of the tissue affect tissue tolerance. In this chapter, we set out to demonstrate the morphological characteristics of human tissue, especially the skin, to discuss how morphology affects mechanical properties and to highlight the deficiencies in this field of pressure ulcer research.