A Case of a Pressure Injury Where Electrical Stimulation Led to Team Cohesion and Enhanced Healing

Pressure injuries are grave sequelae of prolonged immobility, with each episode incurring an estimated US $30,000-70,000 in direct medical costs and often necessitating protracted management. Beyond the economic burden, these ulcers disrupt the skin's barrier, heightening infection risk and predisposing patients to sepsis. Although electrical stimulation (ES) is endorsed by clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, rehabilitation professionals remain under-represented in pressure-injury care. We report the case of a woman in her 50s with quadriplegia who developed a stage IV pressure injury that failed to improve with standard wound care. Following a physical therapist's recommendation, ES was initiated, which not only accelerated wound closure but also fostered interprofessional collaboration. Stage III/IV ulcers typically require approximately 150-240 days to heal; in contrast, this lesion closed in just 90 days<i>.</i> Rigorous, twice-daily wound assessment, pH-balanced cleansing, and scheduled repositioning were integral to this expedited outcome. The case underscores the value of team-based management and highlights ES as a promising adjunct for severe pressure injuries. Larger cohort studies are warranted to confirm these findings and refine clinical protocols.