? on sleeping prone

[martha]

I've read in a number of posts that sleeping on the stomach is a way to avoid pressure sores and not have to turn at night. My curiosity is what about pressure on the knees and tops of the feet/toes? If this is stupid, I apologize, but it seems you would have bony pressure points there.

Plus, wouldn't this make middle of the night cathing difficult or impossible?

[Emi2]

Well you're supposed to protect those are's with pillows... and would have to turn over to cath! I start y night on stomach usually, then turn t my side or back after my night cath.

"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible
to find it elsewhere."
--Agnes Repplier, writer and historian

[martha]

Thanks Emi. Admittedly, I'm a little dense. Seems if you put pillows under the thigh and calf to keep the knees and feet off the bed that it would put a big strain on the back. Guess I'll have to try it to see. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[marmalady]

Hi, Martha - Not dense at all - it was confusing for us to figure out, too. Matt has a pillow under his chest, and thighs, and calves, and one at his ankles which allows his feet to 'dangle' at a 90 degree angle to the floor. With an indwelling cath, we have to make sure the groin area is all clear.

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

[KLD]

Bridging is the proper term for the use of pillows under fleshy areas to "bridge" or allow bony areas to float in the air. This can be done to the heels when you lie on your back, or to the feet, knees, front hip bones (and genitals for men) and breasts (for women) in the prone position.

If anyone wants a diagram showing this, you can write to me privately via e-mail with a fax number and I can fax you a diagram.

[This message was edited by KLD on May 29, 2002 at 06:36 PM.]

[Emi2]

I don't use pillows because my skin is fine without except I would like to support my feet at 90... but they never stay because I kick them. Any suggestioms?

"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible
to find it elsewhere."
--Agnes Repplier, writer and historian

[KLD]

What we recommend is positioning yourself low in bed so that when you roll over prone your feet are positioned over the end of the mattress. Just be sure that any whelt on the mattress seam is well padded (this is where your ankle should be). Obviously this is best done with a bed that has no footboard. This keeps your knee straight (unlike just using a pillow under your shin) so you get the full benefit of stretching out your knees, and avoids the excessive pressure that can occur on the knees when they are flexed in this position.

Emi, I would be cautious about not using bridging when prone. It can eventually catch up with you. Your knees are especially vulnerable to excessive pressure in this position, and I have seen pressure ulcers develop after only one night of being in this position without appropriate bridging. I recommend positioning the pillows next to you, then rolling over on to them (start with your body right on the outer edge of the bed).

[rbyrd49100]

It seems like sleeping on youe stomach would cause more back pain? Steve either sleeps on his side or on his back and we have no problems. I do use a foam mattress cover to help with pressure relief. Also, when he lays on his side, I take advantage and use the estim machine on his rear end and feet for about 30 mins:) I feel it increases circulation and helps prevent pressure sore probs.

I did try an alternating pressure air mattress for him but only once.He called me for help several times almost sliding off the bed. (that was a long night:)

Russ Byrd