This article reviews the reported associations between the alleviation of sustained or excessive tissue deformation and mitigation of pressure ulcer (PU) risk or associated pain, with a specific focus on the role of the support surface. Three patient case studies are used to analyse relevant literature and demonstrate important links between aetiological factors for PUs, background diseases, perceptions of discomfort and pain, and the ability of an adequate support surface to provide relief. Taken together, the literature and case studies indicate that alleviation of sustained or excessive soft tissue deformation caused by weight-bearing forces — through adequate envelopment of the support surface — protects from PUs and also effectively relieves chronic pain.
