Understanding Pressure Area Care

Pressure damage can develop in areas of the body where there is prolonged pressure, particularly around bony areas. Understanding where these pressure points occur is an important part of prevention and everyday care.

Explore the interactive guide below and hover over the different areas of the body to learn more about common pressure areas, what to look out for and why they may be at risk.

Pressure area care is about more than one piece of equipment. Regular skin checks, repositioning, mobility, nutrition and hydration, alongside the right support surfaces and equipment, all play an important role in helping to reduce the risk of pressure damage.

Use the interactive guide as a quick reference, and speak to an appropriate healthcare professional for individual assessment and clinical advice.

Where is pressure most likely to occur?

Pressure can affect different areas of the body depending on a person's position. Select a position below and hover over the highlighted areas to learn more.

Lying on your back
Hover over an area to learn why it may be vulnerable to pressure.
Occiput The back of the head. This bony area can be vulnerable to pressure when a person spends prolonged periods lying on their back.
Shoulder blades The shoulder blades are bony prominences that can be exposed to pressure when lying in one position for extended periods.
Elbows The elbows contain relatively little soft tissue over the underlying bone and can therefore be vulnerable to pressure.
Spinal prominences Areas along the spine can experience pressure where bone lies relatively close to the skin.
Sacrum The sacrum is a bony area at the base of the spine and is a particularly important area to consider when someone is lying on their back.
Buttocks Pressure may develop around the buttocks depending on posture, mobility, duration of pressure and individual circumstances.
Heels The heels are vulnerable because the skin and soft tissue over the heel bone can be exposed to sustained pressure.
Lying face down
Hover over an area to learn why it may be vulnerable to pressure.
Forehead When lying face down, parts of the face can come into contact with the supporting surface and may be vulnerable to pressure.
Cheeks The cheeks may be exposed to pressure depending on head position and the surface supporting the person.
Ears The ear contains relatively little cushioning over areas of cartilage and may be vulnerable when compressed against a surface.
Shoulders The shoulders contain prominent areas of bone that may experience pressure when lying face down.
Elbows The elbows can be vulnerable to pressure because bone lies close to the skin.
Chest Depending on body position and individual anatomy, areas of the chest can come into contact with the supporting surface.
Knees The knees may be exposed to pressure when lying face down, particularly over prominent bony areas.
Ankles The ankles can experience pressure where the bones are close to the skin.
Toes The toes may experience pressure depending on foot position and the supporting surface.
Sitting
Hover over an area to learn why it may be vulnerable to pressure.
Sacrum The sacrum is located at the base of the spine and may be vulnerable to pressure when sitting, depending on posture and seating support.
Buttocks Sitting can place sustained pressure through the buttocks, particularly when a person has limited ability to reposition.
Ischial tuberosities Often called the sitting bones, these bony prominences bear weight when sitting and are important areas to consider when assessing pressure risk.
Thighs Pressure may occur around the thighs depending on seating position, posture and the design of the supporting surface.
Knees The knees may become vulnerable to pressure depending on positioning and contact with surrounding surfaces.
Elbows Elbows may come into contact with armrests or other surfaces and can be vulnerable where pressure is prolonged.
Learning point: Pressure-ulcer risk varies between individuals. Mobility, posture, duration of pressure, skin condition, nutrition, sensation and other clinical factors should be considered as part of an individual assessment. This interactive activity is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for clinical assessment, professional judgement or an individualised care plan.