Support Devices

• BED BOARDS


  Are plywood boards that are placed under the entire surface area of the mattress and are useful for increasing back support and body alignment.
• FOOT BOOTS


  Shoes made of rigid plastic or heavy foam and keep the foot flexed at the proper angle. It is recommended that they should be removed 2 to 3 times a day to assess the skin integrity and joint mobility
• HAND ROLLS


  Maintain the fingers in a slightly flexed and functional position and keep the thumb slightly adducted in opposition to the fingers
• HAND-WRIST SPLINTS


  Individually molded for the client to maintain proper alignment of the thumb in a slight adduction and the wrist in slight dorsiflexion
• PILLOWS


  Provide support, elevate body parts, splint incision areas, and reduce postoperative pain during activity, coughing or deep breathing. They should be of the appropriate size for the body to be positioned.
• SANDBAGS


  Soft devices filled with substances that can be used to shape or contour to the body’s shape and provide support. They immobilize extremities and maintain specific body alignment.
• SIDE RAILS


  Are bars along the sides of the length of the bed. They ensure client safety and are useful for increasing mobility. They also provide assistance in rolling from side to side or sitting up in bed. Check with your agencies policies regarding the use of side rails as they vary state to state
• TROCHANTER ROLLS


  These rolls prevent external rotation of the legs when the client is in the supine position. To form a roll, use a cotton bath blanket or a sheet folded lengthwise to a width extending from the greater trochanter of the femur to the lowest border of the popliteal space.
• WEDGE PILLOWS


  Are triangular pillows made of heavy foam and are used to maintain legs in abduction following total hip replacement surgery