Contoured cushioning: effects of surface compressibility and curvature on heel pressure distribution

Heel pressures with generic and focused rigid heel cast devices while in a static supine and seated position

Objective:

To identify if the choice of material used to make focused rigid cast (FRC) and generic heel cups has an effect on heel pressure in healthy individuals during a static supine and seated position.

Method:

A repeated measure design was used to compare the effect of two focused rigidity heel devices made from different materials (3M semi-rigid and Benecast FLEX) and a generic polymer gel heel cup device on barefoot heel pressures. Subjects had heel pressures taken while barefoot and with the three different heel devices while in a supine and seated position using the device.

Results:

We recruited 32 healthy participants (21 females, and 11 males). When comparing Benecast FLEX and 3M semi-rigid focused rigidity casts with barefoot and the generic heel cups significant reductions in pressures were seen in all areas while seated and in the distal area while supine. However, there was no statistical difference between the two FRC devices, or between barefoot and the generic heel cup in either position.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that FRC heel devices effectively reduced heel pressures in healthy individuals and therefore could be used in practice when a reduction in pressure is required for the management of heel pressure ulcers in bedbound or chair-bound patients.

Declaration of interest:

Materials were supplied from Benecare Medical (who agreed to supply 20 rolls of Benecast FLEX), and the podiatry department of Kent Community Health NHS Trust (who agreed to supply some of the materials).