Pressure ulcers are a painful condition commonly developed by elders experiencing nursing home abuse. Usually, older people must wait for the wound to heal for the pain caused by these skin injuries to stop. However, researchers are testing the effectiveness of the steroid oxandrolone in treating pressure ulcers and accelerating muscle growth.
Pressure ulcers are commonly known as bed sores. These unpleasant and painful skin injuries result from prolonged pressure on the skin. Usually, a person develops pressure ulcers if he or she spends most of the day in a bed or chair. Patients who have a medical condition that limits their ability to move or change positions may also develop pressure ulcers.
If bed confinement is the cause, pressure ulcers develop on:
Pressure ulcers cause changes to a person's skin color and texture, and may swell significantly. The skin around the ulcer can feel cool or warm compared to other areas on the skin. Usually, these sites are very tender and may expel pus.
If left untreated, pressure ulcers can develop into serious conditions such as:
If a nursing home does not provide adequate exercise for its residents, they can develop pressure ulcers. In addition, pressure ulcers are one of the common signs of nursing home abuse. If an older person develops these painful sores, it is usually a sign that they are not receiving adequate care from nursing home staff.
Treatment for pressure ulcers include a lengthy wound cleaning process. This process can be painful. Medical professionals will remove dead, damaged, or infected tissue from the sores. Doctors will then dress the pressure ulcers with a combination of bandages that need frequent changing. The injured person may receive drugs to control pain and fight potential infections.
Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid developed by scientists. Chemically, the drug is similar to testosterone. It promotes the growth of muscle tissue and provides multiple benefits for different medical conditions.
Oxandrolone, while effective, can cause a number of side effects in both men and women. Breast swelling, insomnia, changes in sex drive, and feelings of excitement are common in all patients. Due to its similarities to testosterone, women may experience acne, changes in menstrual cycles, a deepened voice, and hair growth on the chin or chest.
Recent studies show that oxandrolone may be able to accelerate pressure ulcer healing and make the treatment process less painful. However, current research on this subject is not extensive as compared to other treatment options.
One 2013 study examined 779 veterans who had severe pressure ulcers and spinal cord injuries. Between August 2005 and November 2008, researchers sought participants from various Veterans Affairs medical centers to test the effects of oxandrolone on their injuries.
This study's methodology followed a careful process:
Although approximately one-third of the patients in the study did not complete treatment, the findings saw an interesting trend in ulcer healing.
The findings of this study do not indicate that oxandrolone had an effect on accelerating pressure ulcer treatment. However, there are limitations on the current research on the drug and this bed injury. While oxandrolone may not be effective as the only course of treatment, it may be effective when paired with other pressure ulcer treatment options.
Have you or a loved one experienced abuse at the hands of a trusted nursing home? You may be eligible for compensatory damages to pay for pressure ulcer medication, treatment costs, and more.
Contact Nursing Home Law Center LLC today to discuss your legal options and to receive a free case evaluation. Based in Chicago, our firm gladly represents clients throughout the United States.
Sources:
Chicago Attorney Nursing Home Law Center LLC Home