Patient story – Zdenek Safranek

Former captain of the Czech sledge hockey national team Zdeněk Šafránek (38) has struggled with the pressure ulcer in the sacral region. The last and the worst pressure ulcer happened two years ago and required very demanding treatment. Former captain of the Czech sledge hockey national team Zdeněk Šafránek (38) has struggled with the pressure ulcer in the sacral region. The last and the worst pressure ulcer happened two years ago and required very demanding treatment.

 

• Could you give as a brief summary of your experiences with the pressure ulcers? 

ZŠ: I went through nine pressure ulcers in the sacral region, seven times on the left side and twice on the right side. 

The last one was very complicated (note: 4th stage of a pressure ulcer). It was caused by the leakage of urine into the blood and the sit bones were the most affected part of the body. From there, it formed a large inside pressure ulcer. It was 10 cm high, 6 cm in width, and fist depth. 

 

• Were you aware of the pressure ulcer before? 

ZŠ: To be honest, I knew a very little. Just that you must rest and sit on a quality seat. 

 

• What medical and other treatment have you received? 

ZŠ: I underwent nine operations related to the pressure ulcers, in Liberec, the Motol University Hospital in Prague and Královské Vinohrady University Hospital in Prague. Three of these surgeries were reoperations because my muscle was not accepted. I am grateful for wonderful help in Královské Vinohrady, where I spent more than 50 days. The convalescences were different at each case, but it took around three months with progressive, controlled loading and rehabilitation. 

 

• How do you feel nowadays? 

ZŠ: It is already two years from my last pressure ulcer and I feel well and great!  

 

• How do you prevent pressure ulcer? Do you have any tips?  

ZŠ: The well–balanced diet, nutritional supplements (nutrition drinks, green barley and chlorine), more frequent catheterization and, finally, rest. 

 

• How are you doing during coronavirus pandemic situation? 

ZŠ: I don’t feel any special change at this time.  I believe and am aware that something is going on, but I also know that the media had exaggerated the extent of the outbreak. My two younger kids go to kindergarten, as usual, only the eldest daughter is at home, but she does her homework well.  

I only regret I cannot do what I always do, but I used to find the proper replacement. I do my exercises at home or outside.