Heel pressure sores

I’ve had a similar problem and found that I had less of a problem if I slept more propped up. It seemed to take some of the pressure off my heels. It might also be worth contacting the District Nurse at your surgery and asking for advice.

If I were you I would address the dry skin with frequent applications of a good cream. Maybe zinc oxide?

Yes, as Coco suggested, moisturise your feet. I would suggest raising your feet on a pillow with your heels over the edge so that they make no contact with the mattress.

A pillow or cushion under your knees or calves would keep your heels slightly up.

Couldn’t you buy one of those wedge shaped pillows that raise your feet and hang your feet over the top. Would be good for blood pressure etc. too.

I had this problem when I was in hospital. A nurse filled rubber gloves with water and tied them off tightly. They felt a bit like jelly but really helped my heels when resting on them.

Rest your heels on sheepskin.

My sympathy.. I had to stay on my back when I had my THR and the surgeon broke my femur hammering it in .. I had to spend several hours a day on the bed. My heels drove me nuts. I used a sheepskin under them and I proped my lower leg and feet up with a cushion so they hung over the cushions.
Best of luck, hope you sort it out soon.

I had to sleep on my back every night for three years and I also used to get very sore heels. At the time I remembered that we had a very fluffy towel that hardly got used for bathing……because is was too soft. But it made a perfect cushion for under my lower legs and feet when I slept. Folded up into quarters it was padded enough but not too thick.

I agree to address the dry skin firstly - and I can recommend the brilliant Margaret Dabbs. We’ve tried many foot creams, and nothing compares to hers. She is a chiropodist with her own line of hand & foot creams. Discovered her on QVC and ordered her Foot hygiene cream for my husband as he had so much trouble with dried cracked skin on his feet. He would also pick at the skin too, leaving them in a real state & sore. He moaned “it won’t make any difference - I’ve tried alsorts!” What a palaver! Anyway with a lot of cajoling, andmanaged to get him to use it. Within a relatively short time of daily use (I think just over a week ) he had smooth skin again. Her foot lotion is also a delight to use. It sinks in quickly & smells heavenly. We’ve used both, and can say that with regular use either of these really do transform the skin. They are very expensive on the M.Dabbs website, but you can pick them up from EBay or Vinted at a fraction of the retail price. QVC also offer deals sometimes. Good luck!

I have a similar problem. I have to sleep on my back ... painful right hip, and pacemaker on the left side so that's uncomfortable to lie on.
I have a profiling bed which helps but I still have a feather pillow under my feet.

Thanks, everyone. I'm going try the cream.and the folded towel. A bit complicated as I already have to.have a special cushion under one arthritic knee.

I have sent off for a square fleece to put under my heels and will see what happens ...

I'm a recently retired District Nurse. We used to advise people to use a barrier cream such as Cavilon or Sorbaderm rather than a moisturiser. Also to elevate your legs in pillows, turning them so that your full calf is elevated and leaving your heels off the bed. Make sure the pillow is length ways down your leg to avoid circulation problems.

Have you tried wearing soft bed socks. Might help.x

Oh that is dreadful..My husband has been immobile for at least 4 years and sleeps on his back and the only time he has had bedsores was when he has been in hospital!
All of the above is helpful, the only thing I would add is to drink lots! Of water!
Hope all goes well x

In the evenings soak your feet in warm water and flex your toes to get your circulation going..
Dry off .
Apply Sudocream .
Then warm socks.
Sleep on a soft sheepskin .

Vaseline applied to your heels regularly

Yes, as others suggested raising your feet on a pillow with your heels over the edge definitely helps. I had to do this after an operation when my heels got uncomfortable. SO much better.

Another is to partly fill two hwb, the non-ribbed variety, and that should make a difference.

I am intrigued to know what a hwb is - especially non-ribbed!! I always thought ribbed was best ......

Ah - hot water bottle maybe?

I was given a Urea cream and it made a huge difference with my feet splitting from dry skin. My diabetic nurse recommended it.

My husband had this problem. Solved with using barrier cream - Proshield Plus - you can buy it but a dr (in uk ) will prescribe it as it’s expensive together with these boots. (Other ones we bought didn’t work). He used to get terrible sores before this strategy.