Pressure-reducing effects of heel protectors.

This study examined the pressure-reducing effects of 13 different heel-protecting devices. A group of 40 elderly patients (mean age 82 years, range 71-94) admitted to the Geriatric Department of the University Hospitals in Leuven, Belgium participated in this study. The pressures were registered by means of a sensitive computerized diagnostic system, which measured vertical forces. An ordinary head pillow was shown to be the most effective pressure-reducing device, followed by heel protectors based on siliconized hollow fibers.