I want to get some sort of foam wedge to help keep my leg elevated after my ankle surgery. I saw one that seems to me like it would be pretty helpful...it had a "track" to put you leg in with foam sides that come up on either side of the calf. I feel like this would be helpful in keeping my leg in place and elevated while I sleep, as well as making sure hubby doesn't accidentally kick my cast in his sleep.
What did everyone use to elevate? I hate stacking pillows.
I used a basic orthopedic foam wedge that was 12 inches high... I did like laying a pillow along the diagonal... It was soft and kept my foot from hanging off of the edge.
__________________ Peroneal brevis debridement; peroneal longus transfer to brevis: tenosynovectomy, 11/20/12
I had the foam thing you are describing when I was in hospital post surgery. I found it good for keeping my foot in place, though it did get pretty hot! Also the one I had didn't help much with the elevation. You really need to keep your foot above the level of your heart ("toes above nose") for a least the first couple of weeks. At home I had a firm wedge-shaped pillow, big enough for both legs, which was fab. I used it in bed and on the sofa. I agree stacking pillows is not much fun. I did that after my first surgery, and I have to say that the wedge pillow was a great investment. Good luck.
Thanks so much Amethy. That was really helpful info. I didn't think about my leg getting hot in the track type wedge. I think it would work well for sleeping though. I will have to look for the kind of wedge shaped pillow you mentioned. I would like something I could put both legs up on.
How many pillows do you need to get your leg up past heart? I guess I could just go try it out. lol But it seems easier to just ask an expert who's done it already.
I was really different!! In hospital, I had a small bean bag but it kept sagging. When I got home I had a spare doona (quilt) that I folded up and it gave me the same height as about 3 pillows without sagging - and I didn't have to balance pillows on top of each other. It worked for me for the period of time I needed it for.
__________________ Julie
6 Oct '12: OCD talar, lat menis lesion, decomp ant ankle, osteotomy post proc talus, synovec post ankle, modified Brostrom-Gould, release PTT
For the last two surgries I had I just stacked fluffy pillows. I used 2 or 3 new pillows and then one of my pillow pets. I never had much of a problem with my stack of pillows cause I wasn't moving my leg a ton..
For my upcoming surgery I wanted to find a full body pillow but I'm not having much luck. I might have to order one. Cause sometimes my knee gets crampy
I used a 4 or 5" couch cushion, uncovered, with 2 or 3 pillows on top on the couch. The cats thought it was fantastic. Biggest problem I had was seeing the TV around my foot. My other favorite was to pile the pillows on top of the cat condo (a small one) while I sat on the couch or chair.
In bed, I did 2 under my foot, one under my knee. It's nice to have couple firm pillows mixed in with the squishy ones.
I love how creative everyone gets with the things they use to elevate the ankle and leg! lol I finally settled on a basic 10" high foam wedge that I can put both my legs up on if I want. I figured that would help me with my knees, too. I've had 3 knee scopes done on my left knee (left ankle is going to have the surgery) and 2 on my right knee and the most recent was on the right knee in Sept 2012. I just finished PT on that knee to strengthen my quad muscle because I was using my hamstring instead of the quad and then my knee cap was popping off track. I fear, as does my PT guy, that my right leg that will be having to do all the work while I'm NWB on the left is going to suffer. I hope the high, wide wedge will help both my knees with all the elevating and rest. Here's hoping. I am so grateful for all the wonderful advice and positive energy everyone has been giving me!
I want to get some sort of foam wedge to help keep my leg elevated after my ankle surgery. I saw one that seems to me like it would be pretty helpful...it had a "track" to put you leg in with foam sides that come up on either side of the calf. I feel like this would be helpful in keeping my leg in place and elevated while I sleep, as well as making sure hubby doesn't accidentally kick my cast in his sleep.
What did everyone use to elevate? I hate stacking pillows.
Hi lauralei, I think that you have tons of suggestions here but I wanted to add one thing. When my nephew broke both legs we elevated them on pillows & he kept complaining about his heels so took him to dr & he had pressure sores on both heels! Appalled we felt so bad. In light of that i would use the softest pillow on top of the wedge & hang my heels off the pillow by adjusting it just under bottom of calves & frequent turning to keep the pressure from constantly being on back & back of leg being very careful to support under the knees & not hyper extending them. Thank you, i hope that you do well, God bless you.
Last edited by gmak; 01-22-2013 at 06:20 AM.
Reason: typos, wording
The Following User Says Thank You to gmak For This Useful Post: lauralei51 (01-21-2013)
I just used a long body pillow. It was simple and supported the entire leg and knee. When on the couch, I often just propped my leg up on the top of the back of the couch. It keeps it nice and high.
Last edited by wants to walk; 01-22-2013 at 04:14 AM.
Post Op leg elevation suggestions? 
