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Elevate your leg for great health benefits
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Introduction to elevating your leg
The first few weeks after surgery are essential for a successful recovery! Taking proactive steps to reduce inflammation can be hugely beneficial. During the recovery process, your body the needs a boost to avoid any potential complications, such as infection, oedema, deep vein thrombosis, and blood clots.
Your doctor may have given you post-operative instructions, which include keeping the leg elevated. Even if you only have a sprained ankle, it is still important to keep the leg raised. After foot surgery, it is crucial to elevate your leg to reduce swelling. Understanding how this can benefit recovery and healing is important to get on the mend faster.
Elevating your leg, the benefits!
Elevating the leg will help to reduce pain and swelling. Without elevating your leg, you may feel a throbbing pain and the bandages may feel tight. The key is to have the leg raised above the heart.
Make sure to elevate the lower leg above the heart whenever you’re seated or lying down. This will help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur when fluid collects in the foot due to gravity.
Exactly how long and how often the leg needs to be elevated can depend on the instructions from your doctor or surgeon. If you are at the beginning of recovery, you may have a non-weight bearing restriction. The most important thing is to keep the blood flowing in your legs, therefore remember to also include some movement. Even if you simply move across to the other side of the room and come back again. This will help to increase circulation and help promote healing. Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day and focus on taking care of yourself during this period.
Keep the leg up, what can help, a pillow or wedge?
If you are in an orthopedic boot or in a cast, the best way to keep a leg raised after surgery is to use a pillow or cushion to prop the leg up. Make sure the pillow is placed comfortably under the calf area. Don’t forget to provide a sturdy support for your back.
You can also use a couch or recliner chair to keep the leg elevated. Alternatively, you could try resting your legs on a coffee table or small foot stool. This would still help slow the force of gravity.
The other option available is to get yourself a leg wedge. A leg wedge may help to provide a better comfortable and supportive angle to the lower leg than a pillow or cushion. Another advantage is that it may help reduce pressure on the lower back and hips, as well as improve circulation in the lower legs.
A leg elevation wedge is available online from these retailers: Beds and Pillows, Dis-chem , and Takealot.
5 tips to correctly elevate the leg
1. Use a chair or couch with a firm back support or if you are in bed, it is better to lie on your back.
2. Place a pillow or cushion behind the back for additional support for the couch or chair.
3. Place the pillow lengthwise under the leg to elevate it. Use as many pillows as needed to get the right height.
4. Make sure the leg is elevated at a comfortable angle.
5. Take frequent breaks and move around to keep your back from getting stiff.
To summarise, elevating your injury can help you heal faster and more effectively. A raised foot can reduce swelling and inflammation, which in turn reduces pain. Lastly, it can reduce the amount of time it takes for you to recover. So don’t forget to keep your affected limb raised! The benefits are well worth it during the recovery phase and beyond.