Hi all,
Has anyone bought or used a leg raiser to protect heels and calf muscles?
I am thinking of buying one for my husband when he is in bed, as he moans and groans quite a lot at times and I think it is his heels or legs that give him discomfort?
Or has anyone used another type of cushion or support to relieve pressure whilst loved ones are in bed?
I would appreciate any feedback.
Love to all
Many thanks
Denise X
FWIW, the hospice nurse showed me how to roll a towel and position it under his ankles to protect my guy's heels from pressure sores. Then we used regular pillows to support his legs in various positions as we turned him side to side. We discussed getting a body pillow, which she also recommended. Sheepskin pads were discussed at various times to protect his feet. I hope you find something that helps. it's awful to see your loved one in pain. Peace, ec
Thanks so much for your reply. I found all of what you said very, very,helpful and am looking at rolling up a towel, as we speak!
Lots of love
Denise xx
Oh, she also had us position him at something like a 30-degree angle on his side, with pillows supporting him at his back, as part of his various positioning. That seemed fairly comfortable for him. Once he was no longer able to shift himself, it really became obviously vital that we move him every 2 hours. Those pressure sores can come on fast.
Denise I used a rolled up pillow plus 2 cushions to keep his lower legs apart as he would move and so would the cushion otherwise. His feet and legs were creamed every day to keep them soft. He also had a spray and cream used after everytime he went to the bathroom. Hope that helps. If in the UK these creams can be supplied through the NHS.
Marie x
Hi Marie could you tell me the sort of creams used, were they just moisturiser or with antiseptic?? Please
Thanks
Helen xx
Helen the cream for legs and feet was Aqueous Cream. You can actually buy it at Asda!
The cream and spray for the bathroom was Proshield. Think there must be something in it but not sure what as the nurses sometimes struggled to get that one so I got it from the GP. It is very effective. If a bedsore appears on the foot it can be used there too.
Marie x
I started to use a small polar fleece blanket and I fold it so it's about 5" thick and I place it under my heels. Now you have to understand I have to sleep on a reclining chair, but since I have been using the polar fleece blanket it has worked pretty good. They do sell that size but I do know they also sell polar fleece were they sell material.
Many thanks, I will look outfiolar fleece.
Why is it that you gave to sleep on a reclining chair? Are you in the uk?
Could you not get a hospital bed to sleep in?
You take care
Denise x
I sleep in my chair because I can't get out of my bed. I can get a hospital bed but then were would my husband sleep it's kind of funny we have another chair that can recline he will sleep in it and he said it's his way to be closer to me. I do have to say some nights it is a nice thing but don't tell him he snores some times it is kind of nice to sleep another room. But I do have to say I would like to sleep in the same bed as my husband.
Yes EC is right Using towels or flat pillows makes for extra comfort. at my physical therapy they put a pillow under back of my knees to help relieve stress on my back when laying on it....With Bruce I would massage him more than use pillows....but due use and reposition pillows often and creatively.....when laying on side he might like one between knees....and other places that relieved pressure for a while...
I think I need to get in touch with OT, once again.
I will definitely start using rolled up towels and pillows in imaginative places to relieve pressure.
I don't know, you manage things as best you think possible, not realising, that just asking a question and receiving even the smallest piece of advice, can elleviate what seems like an enormous problem!
I am so glad of everyone's advice and so glad that there is somewhere I can go that gives almost instantaneous answers to anything!
Love you all
Denise X
Oh...yah B was given basically a strip of foam with velcro on the top that you wrap around the heal....they are egg carton looking. we did not use them for lon,g but I can see them as being effective raising the heal enough to relieve pressure. something like this does not raise the ankle very high which is also something you want to consider...... if you raise the ankle you must raise the back of the knee as well.....
AVB
Ask the district nurses for some prevlon boots they reduce the pressure xxx
I have today bought G a second pair of Heel protectors, her heels were very red (suddenly) a couple of weeks ago, one night of using the protectors and the redness disappears. I've bought a second pair so that I can wash the first pair. They cost £21 I've looked on th the internet and haven't been able to buy anything cheaper by the time p&p is added
The physical therapist got dad a set of padded "boots" held on with velco to protect his heels. He never liked them since it made his feet too warm. Every morning he had managed to get them off so per P/T just started using pillows. He has no redness on heels now.
Restless legs
Leg held in the air
Legs not working 
