Gel pads under heels

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

Does anyone else put gel pads under their patients heels? I do and sometimes get ridiculed for it because our new beds are made of gel. I feel they are not soft enough for some patients so I use the gel pads regularly. Has anyone seen any articles or know of any research that discusses this? It may be silly to do this extra padding, but its my practice and I hate being criticized for something that isn't causing harm. I am not the only that does this. Lately it's been so bad some nurses remove them if they are giving me a break. I am at the point I want to bring it to my boss, but I would like some evidence that shows the best practice before talking to her.

[MereSanity]

Actually they make these nice gel pads specifically for feet....they sit under the ankles and support the foot just off the bed. Love them. We use them too. Have they ever heard of bedsores to heels? There is still pressure on the heel...these heel gel pads take the pressure off the heels.

[williams84]

I've worked in two OR's and both places have put gel under heels. The only cases we don't are the ones that require a special bed (i.e., Hana beds, Jackson tables, etc.).

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

I use these too, especially for cases longer than 1 hour. However, I do have a pet peeve regarding their use. Unless you have a pillow under the patient's knees IMO you should not use additional heel padding because you run the risk of causing damaging/painful overextention of the knees. When I am giving relief to another nurse, if I see gel under the heels without support at the posterior knee level, I do pull the heel padding out.

[MereSanity]

The heel pads I use place support under the ankle in such a way as to not over extend the knee...yet do not place pressure on the heel....that is why I really like the ones I use best.