The internal capillary pressure that leads to impaired circulation and contributes to pressure ulcer formation is not consistently defined in the literature, with reported thresholds ranging from below 20 mmHg to over 40 mmHg. However, an interface pressure of 32 mmHg is frequently cited as the average level at which capillary closure and cellular damage may occur.
Pressure ulcers can develop as quickly as within 24 hours of skin injury or may not become visible until up to five days after the initial damage.