Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by DENNE, W. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by DENNE, W. A.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1979 British Society for Rheumatology

research-article

AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE SHEEPSKINS USED FOR DECUBITUS SORE PROPHYLAXIS

W. A. DENNE

Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Headington, Oxford OX3 7LD

The mechanical properties of four commonly used sheepskin-like interface materials have been investigated to assess their relative effectiveness in preventing decubitus sores. The samples were resilient and silky varieties of natural sheepskin, resilient wool woven into a fabric backing and a pure polyester simulation of sheepskin. Consideration of the factors which cause skin breakdown suggested that the relevant mechanical properties to be measured were compressibility, frictional behaviour, ability to absorb water vapour and porosity under load. The four samples exhibited similar ability to distribute load; the polyester material produced greatest friction; the resilient wool fabrics showed both greatest porosity under load and ability to absorb water vapour. It was found that the latter was the more important property for keeping the patient's skin dry. The general conclusion arising from this work is that resilient natural sheepskins are the best interface for the prevention and management of decubitus sores.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.