This case study shows how one person with paralysis recovered from a serious pressure wound (a type of injury that develops from staying in one position too long) by getting better nutrition. Doctors gave the patient more protein, vitamins, minerals, and special supplements to help their body heal. The patient’s protein intake jumped from almost nothing to a healthy amount, and their wound started healing much better. The study suggests that eating the right foods with enough protein might be just as important as other treatments when dealing with pressure wounds. This is especially important for people who can’t move around much.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether improving a patient’s nutrition could help heal a serious pressure wound in someone with paralysis
  • Who participated: One adult patient with paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body) who developed a pressure wound in a sensitive area
  • Key finding: When doctors increased the patient’s daily protein intake from less than 10 grams to 80-90 grams and added vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, the wound showed clear signs of healing with less dead tissue and more healthy new tissue forming
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you care for has limited mobility and pressure wounds, getting enough protein and proper nutrition might be a key part of healing. However, this is just one person’s story, so talk to your doctor about what’s right for your situation.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors documented what happened with one specific patient over time. They tracked how the patient’s nutrition changed and how their wound looked and improved. The doctors made step-by-step changes to what the patient ate, starting with adjusting regular meals to match what the patient could tolerate, then adding high-protein drinks and supplements, vitamins, minerals, and special probiotics (good bacteria) to help with digestion problems.

The doctors measured progress by looking at the wound directly during clinical visits. They noted when dead tissue decreased, when healthy pink tissue (called granulation tissue) started forming, and when new skin began covering the wound. This type of detailed observation over time is how case reports work—they tell the story of one person’s treatment and results.

Case reports are important because they can show doctors something new or unexpected that might help other patients. While this is just one person’s experience, it highlights that nutrition might be overlooked in wound care. For people with paralysis who can’t move around, pressure wounds are a serious problem that’s hard to treat. If nutrition plays a big role in healing, doctors might be able to help more patients by paying attention to what they eat.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. It shows what happened with one person, but we can’t know if the same thing would happen with other patients. The patient’s improvement could have been due to nutrition, other treatments, or a combination of factors. To be more confident, we would need studies with many patients comparing nutrition treatment to no nutrition treatment. However, the detailed tracking of the patient’s progress and wound healing is a strength of this report.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was the dramatic increase in protein intake. At the start, the patient was getting less than 10 grams of protein per day—far below what’s needed for healing. After the nutritional intervention, the patient was getting 80-90 grams of protein daily, which is a healthy amount.

As nutrition improved, the wound showed clear healing signs. The amount of dead tissue (called slough) decreased noticeably. Healthy new tissue started forming in the wound bed, which doctors call granulation tissue. Finally, new skin began growing over the wound, a process called epithelialization. These are all the normal steps wounds go through when healing properly.

The patient also received vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. The probiotics seemed to help with diarrhea, which was a problem the patient had. This matters because diarrhea can make malnutrition worse by preventing the body from absorbing nutrients.

Beyond the main wound healing, the case shows that individualized nutrition planning worked better than a one-size-fits-all approach. The doctors adjusted meals based on what the patient could actually eat and tolerate. They also used probiotics to manage a side effect (diarrhea) that was preventing good nutrition. This suggests that treating the whole person, not just the wound, is important.

Medical research has long known that protein and proper nutrition are important for wound healing in general. This case report supports that knowledge but focuses specifically on pressure wounds in people with paralysis, where nutrition might be even more critical since these patients often have difficulty eating enough and staying active. The case adds to growing evidence that nutrition deserves more attention in pressure wound treatment plans.

This is a single patient, so we can’t know if the same results would happen with other people. The patient received multiple treatments at once (nutrition, supplements, probiotics, and presumably other wound care), so we can’t say for certain that nutrition alone caused the improvement. We don’t know what would have happened without the nutritional intervention. The case doesn’t include a comparison group or long-term follow-up to see if the wound stayed healed. Finally, we don’t know details about the patient’s age, overall health, or other conditions that might have affected healing.

The Bottom Line

If you have limited mobility or are bedridden and have a pressure wound, work with your healthcare team to ensure you’re getting enough protein (aim for 80-90 grams daily if your doctor agrees) and adequate calories. Include vitamins and minerals in your diet, either through food or supplements. If you have digestive problems like diarrhea, ask your doctor about probiotics. These recommendations are based on this one case and general nutrition science, so discuss your specific needs with your medical team. Confidence level: Moderate for general nutrition importance; Low for specific amounts without more research.

This case is most relevant for people with paralysis or severe limited mobility who have pressure wounds. It’s also important for caregivers and healthcare providers treating these patients. People with other types of wounds might benefit from similar nutrition attention, but this case specifically addresses pressure wounds. If you have normal mobility and good nutrition, this case is less directly applicable to you, though good nutrition always supports healing.

In this case, the patient showed visible wound improvement over weeks to months as nutrition improved. However, healing timelines vary greatly depending on wound size, overall health, and other factors. Don’t expect overnight results—healing is a gradual process. Talk to your doctor about realistic expectations for your specific situation.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily protein intake in grams (aim for 80-90g if recommended by your doctor) and log any changes in wound appearance weekly using photos if possible. Also track digestive symptoms like diarrhea to see if they improve with dietary changes.
  • If you have limited mobility, set a daily reminder to eat protein-rich foods or supplements at each meal. Use the app to plan meals that include protein sources you enjoy and can tolerate. If diarrhea is a problem, use the app to track which foods make it better or worse, and remind yourself to take probiotics if recommended.
  • Weekly: Take photos of the wound area (if safe and appropriate) and note any visible changes. Track protein intake daily. Monthly: Review trends in wound appearance and digestive health. Share photos and nutrition logs with your healthcare provider to adjust the plan as needed. This creates a clear record of progress over time.

This case report describes one patient’s experience and should not be considered medical advice. Pressure wounds are serious medical conditions that require professional healthcare evaluation and treatment. Nutritional needs vary greatly between individuals based on age, weight, overall health, medications, and other factors. Before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or wound care routine, consult with your doctor, nurse, or registered dietitian. This information is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized treatment plan for pressure wounds.