Abduction Block - Lightweight Micro-Bead Knee Support for Semi-Fowler Positioning and Pressure Relief.
- Protects the Medial Knee and Malleolus from Bone-on-Bone Pressure - the Abduction Block is placed between the knees and inner thighs during supine or semi-Fowler positioning, interposing a soft micro-bead surface between the medial (inner) surfaces of the two legs; when a resident lies with their legs together, the medial knee condyles contact each other and the medial malleoli at the ankles contact each other, creating bone-on-bone pressure at each of these bony prominences; the Abduction Block fills this inter-limb zone with a conforming micro-bead surface that distributes the inter-limb load across a broader contact area, eliminating the point-contact pressure at the bony prominences.
- Pairs with the Cylindrical Cushion for Combined Heel and Knee Coverage - the Abduction Block addresses the medial knee and inner thigh friction zones, while the Cylindrical Cushion (ID 239) placed under the ankles simultaneously offloads the heels; used together, these two products provide a coordinated lower limb positioning system that addresses the full range of primary lower limb pressure zones - heels (Cylindrical Cushion), medial knees, and medial malleoli (Abduction Block) - within a single positioning configuration that can be maintained for the full repositioning interval.
- Maintains Pelvic Alignment in Semi-Fowler and Dorsal Positions - in semi-Fowler and dorsal (lying on back) positioning, the Abduction Block placed between the thighs provides lateral resistance that contributes to pelvic alignment, preventing the pelvis from rotating toward one side due to asymmetric muscle tone or gravity during the repositioning interval; this pelvic stabilisation function complements the medial friction prevention function and adds a postural alignment benefit to the positioning system.
- 620x320mm - MDR Class I - NICE CG179 - NCL-P9703B1HW - dimensions 620 x 320mm; the rectangular format spans the inter-knee distance from medial knee to medial knee, covering both the medial condyle and the medial malleolus zones in a single product; MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; occupational therapist or tissue viability assessment per NICE CG179; product code NCL-P9703B1HW; care plan and equipment register documentation required.
Abduction Block - Micro-Bead Between-Knee Positioning - Medial Knee and Malleolus Protection - 620x320mm
The Abduction Block is placed between the knees and inner thighs to protect the medial knee condyles and medial malleoli from bone-on-bone contact pressure in supine and semi-Fowler positions. Paired with the Cylindrical Cushion (ID 239) to form a combined lower limb system addressing heels, medial knees, and medial ankles. Also contributes to pelvic alignment in dorsal and semi-Fowler positioning. Dimensions: 620 x 320mm. Micro-bead fill. MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device. NICE CG179. NCL-P9703B1HW.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fill Material | Ultra-lightweight polystyrene micro-beads |
| Dimensions | 620 x 320mm |
| Clinical Position | Between knees and inner thighs - supine, semi-Fowler, and dorsal |
| Offloading Zones | Medial knee condyles; medial malleoli; inner thigh friction |
| Postural Function | Lateral pelvic alignment support |
| System Pairing | Cylindrical Cushion (ID 239) - combined lower limb system |
| Reference | NCL-P9703B1HW |
| Regulatory Status | MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device |
Regulatory Compliance
The Abduction Block is a Class I medical device under MDR 2017/745. Clinical selection requires occupational therapist or tissue viability assessment per NICE CG179. Where used as part of a combined system with the Cylindrical Cushion, both products must be documented in the care plan as a coordinated positioning configuration. Equipment register records and MDR conformity documentation must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the medial malleolus and medial knee condyle, and why are they pressure injury risk sites?
The medial malleolus is the bony protrusion at the inner side of the ankle joint, formed by the lower end of the tibia; it is the inner ankle bone. The medial knee condyle is the inner bony prominence of the knee joint, the inner rounded end of the femur at the knee. Both of these structures are bony prominences that are covered by a thin layer of skin with minimal subcutaneous tissue between the bone and the surface; they have small contact areas when pressed against a surface. When a resident lies supine with their legs resting together, the two medial malleoli contact each other ankle-to-ankle, and the two medial knee condyles contact each other knee-to-knee; the combined weight of both legs concentrates at these small bony contact zones. Unlike heels, where the risk is from the mattress surface, the risk here is from bone-on-bone contact where one limb applies pressure directly to the contralateral bony prominence. Both zones are recognised pressure injury sites in NICE CG179 for residents in supine or semi-Fowler positions, and the Abduction Block addresses them by separating the limbs with a conforming micro-bead surface.
How does the 620x320mm format of the Abduction Block cover both the medial knee and medial malleolus simultaneously?
The 620mm length of the Abduction Block is sufficient to span from the mid-thigh to below the knee in most adults when the block is positioned vertically between the legs, covering the inner thigh, the medial knee condyle zone, and continuing toward the medial malleolus below. In practice, a single Abduction Block positioned with its length aligned along the leg axis between the knees covers the knee condyle zone centrally; residents who have their knees pressed together may also contact the block at the ankles if the block is long enough to extend downward. However, the medial malleolus zone specifically is further down the lower leg than the knee condyle, and a 620mm block centred at the knee may not fully extend to the ankle level for taller residents. In these cases, the care team must confirm that the block placement covers the medial malleolus zone as well as the knee, and may need to adjust the block position or add a second positioning aid at the ankle level. The Cylindrical Cushion under the ankles provides the heel offloading, and the Abduction Block provides the knee separation; for malleolus-to-malleolus contact prevention, the prescribing clinician must confirm whether the Abduction Block in its intended position reaches the malleolus zone for the specific resident.
NCL-P9703B1HW
- Protects the Medial Knee and Malleolus from Bone-on-Bone Pressure - the Abduction Block is placed between the knees and inner thighs during supine or semi-Fowler positioning, interposing a soft micro-bead surface between the medial (inner) surfaces of the two legs; when a resident lies with their legs together, the medial knee condyles contact each other and the medial malleoli at the ankles contact each other, creating bone-on-bone pressure at each of these bony prominences; the Abduction Block fills this inter-limb zone with a conforming micro-bead surface that distributes the inter-limb load across a broader contact area, eliminating the point-contact pressure at the bony prominences.
- Pairs with the Cylindrical Cushion for Combined Heel and Knee Coverage - the Abduction Block addresses the medial knee and inner thigh friction zones, while the Cylindrical Cushion (ID 239) placed under the ankles simultaneously offloads the heels; used together, these two products provide a coordinated lower limb positioning system that addresses the full range of primary lower limb pressure zones - heels (Cylindrical Cushion), medial knees, and medial malleoli (Abduction Block) - within a single positioning configuration that can be maintained for the full repositioning interval.
- Maintains Pelvic Alignment in Semi-Fowler and Dorsal Positions - in semi-Fowler and dorsal (lying on back) positioning, the Abduction Block placed between the thighs provides lateral resistance that contributes to pelvic alignment, preventing the pelvis from rotating toward one side due to asymmetric muscle tone or gravity during the repositioning interval; this pelvic stabilisation function complements the medial friction prevention function and adds a postural alignment benefit to the positioning system.
- 620x320mm - MDR Class I - NICE CG179 - NCL-P9703B1HW - dimensions 620 x 320mm; the rectangular format spans the inter-knee distance from medial knee to medial knee, covering both the medial condyle and the medial malleolus zones in a single product; MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; occupational therapist or tissue viability assessment per NICE CG179; product code NCL-P9703B1HW; care plan and equipment register documentation required.