Definition and Characteristics of Chronic Tissue Injury

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to examine the evidence related to a unique phenomenon of purple-maroon discoloration of the buttocks found in homecare patients and to recommend a label for this phenomenon. CASES: Initially, we searched the literature to identify and retrieve any evidence related to this unique form of purple-maroon discoloration of the buttocks. No evidence was found. To illustrate the condition, we compared 4 cases of what we have labeled chronic tissue injury to 6 patients with purple-maroon discoloration of the buttocks from different causes. CONCLUSION: Chronic tissue injury is characterized by a persistent purple-maroon discoloration located on the fleshy portion of the buttocks that does not improve or deteriorate. Unlike other causes of purple discoloration such as deep tissue pressure injury, there is minimal change in the discoloration over time. Additional research is needed to further our understanding of the histopathology of this phenomenon.

Skin injuries associated with severe life‐threatening situations: A new conceptual framework

“…• SI-MODSs: These lesions can be very polymorphic and appear on different areas of the body. They can appear on pressure areas, such as sacrum or coccyx (where would be confused with PIs), but also on non-pressure areas, such as the buttocks, the thighs, calves or arms (Mahoney & Rozenboom, 2019). These lesions start as small abrasions with darkened areas and progress very quickly into the deep tissues, sometimes within a few hours.…”