Friction Injury Versus Deep Tissue Injury: Level of Tissue Involvement

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Friction injuries are postulated to be caused by acute or chronic abrasive/friction forces during sliding, scooting, or slouching behaviors prevalent in individuals with impaired mobility and particularly when transferring and repositioning. CASES: Patient histories for 2 cases were collected for determination of wound etiology. Outpatient wound clinic visits including photographic documentation for both cases were reviewed, compared, and contrasted for level of tissue involvement with each wound type/etiology. With serial sharp debridement of both wounds, differences were noted in level of tissue involvement/destruction. Healing progression and scarring were also different for both wounds. CONCLUSION: A comparison of 2 cases is presented to compare and contrast level of tissue involvement and destruction in an acute friction injury (top-down) versus a deep tissue injury (bottom-up). The importance of knowing a wound s history is critical for accurate diagnosis and coding.