If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, would 
it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
of the mattress?

Any ideas folks?

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

"Sally & Gareth" wrote...
> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
> of the mattress?

Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
to put something between it and the patient  ;o)

If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
-- 

Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)

Andrew Heenan wrote:
> "Sally & Gareth" wrote...
>> If you're using a mattress, such as an air mattress, specifically designed 
>> to reduce pressure, and the patient has pressure sores on their heels, 
>> would it be wrong to raise their heels using a pillow.  Would the pressure 
>> mattress be sufficient, and would the pillow negate any beneficial effects 
>> of the mattress?
> 
> Certainly would not help, and may well negate the effects of the mattress. 
> Seems little point in spending all that cash on the special equipment, only 
> to put something between it and the patient  ;o)
> 
> If foot/leg elevation is required, much better to either use the bed 
> controls - or chuck a pillow UNDER the mattress.
I'd add a couple of caveats to that. If the heel sores occur while the 
patient is on the pressure releaving surface then you should review 
whether that surface is appropriate. Heel pressures are complex because 
they can be influenced by a lot of factors. muscle tone and contractures 
of the lower limb in conditions like stroke and proprioceptive disorders 
can result in greatly increased heel pressure, bilateraly and 
monolateraly. In these cases the pressure relieving surface MAY be 
appropriate for all other areas but not for that heel. If this was the 
case then raising that point of of the bed MAY be appropriate. However 
you then need to assess carefully the pressure effects on the point you 
are using to raise the heel off of the bed. You are now in the twilight 
zone between research, maufacturers specifications (AKA adverts) and 
clinical judgement... (can anyone remember that music..)