Heel Protectors (Pair)
- Cup-Style Cradle Design - supportive cup-style shape cradles and cushions the heel within the deep-pile polyester fleece, redistributing pressure across the posterior heel and surrounding tissues; the cup design prevents the heel from resting flat against the bed surface while maintaining secure positioning throughout bed rest and repositioning episodes.
- 100% Deep-Pile Polyester Fleece - hospital-quality 100% deep-pile polyester fleece reduces friction and pressure at the heel for patients with limited mobility; the deep pile conforms to the heel contour and provides consistent cushioning for the posterior heel and Achilles tendon, supporting skin integrity per NICE CG179 tissue viability guidance.
- Adjustable Velcro Fastening - adjustable Velcro fastening allows secure, comfortable positioning without limb constriction; carers can apply and remove the protectors without requiring resident cooperation, supporting use in dementia and neurological care settings where compliance with protective aids is limited.
- Supplied in Pairs - sold as a pair for bilateral heel protection; machine washable to hospital laundering standards per HTM 01-04; CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should include these protectors in the tissue viability care plan, with clinical assessment confirming indication alongside any additional heel offloading device in use.
Heel Protectors - 100% Deep-Pile Polyester Fleece - Cup Style
These hospital-quality heel protectors are crafted from 100% deep-pile polyester fleece in a supportive cup style that cradles and cushions the heel, redistributing pressure across the posterior heel and Achilles tendon for patients with limited mobility. Supplied in pairs with adjustable Velcro fastenings, they are fully machine washable to hospital laundering standards. Indicated for pressure care management at the heel under NICE CG179 as part of a documented tissue viability care plan.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | NCL-HPHC |
| Material | 100% deep-pile polyester fleece |
| Design | Cup style - cradles the heel |
| Quality Standard | Hospital quality |
| Fastening | Adjustable Velcro |
| Supplied | In pairs |
| Washing | Machine washable to hospital standards |
Regulatory Compliance
NICE CG179 identifies the heel as a high-risk pressure ulcer site for bed-bound patients, requiring protective intervention as part of the tissue viability care plan. The cup-style polyester fleece design provides pressure redistribution and friction reduction at the posterior heel and Achilles tendon. For complete heel offloading - where the heel must be fully suspended from the bed surface - a floating heel device such as the Thorpe Mill Leg Trough range (NCL-THS, NCL-THS43, NCL-THS61) should be considered in addition to or instead of fleece protectors. CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should confirm the clinical rationale for the chosen heel protection approach and the assessment frequency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the cup style design differ from flat heel protectors?
The cup style creates a three-dimensional cradle that wraps around the posterior heel and the sides of the ankle, providing support and cushioning across a larger contact area than a flat protector. The cup shape also positions the heel slightly above the lowest contact point, providing some degree of pressure redistribution. However, for complete heel offloading - the floating heel position specified in NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 - a dedicated leg trough or aperture-based heel protector is required, as cup-style fleece protectors reduce but do not eliminate heel-to-surface contact pressure.
Can these be used alongside a leg trough for enhanced heel protection?
Yes, subject to clinical assessment. Where a leg trough is in use, adding fleece heel protectors provides additional cushioning for the ankle and lower leg surfaces in contact with the trough body. However, the clinical team should confirm that the combination does not create additional pressure at the ankle or calf contact points, and that the total elevation achieved is appropriate for the resident's vascular and tissue viability status. The tissue viability nurse should review the combination as part of the pressure care plan review under NICE CG179.
NCL-HPHC
- Cup-Style Cradle Design - supportive cup-style shape cradles and cushions the heel within the deep-pile polyester fleece, redistributing pressure across the posterior heel and surrounding tissues; the cup design prevents the heel from resting flat against the bed surface while maintaining secure positioning throughout bed rest and repositioning episodes.
- 100% Deep-Pile Polyester Fleece - hospital-quality 100% deep-pile polyester fleece reduces friction and pressure at the heel for patients with limited mobility; the deep pile conforms to the heel contour and provides consistent cushioning for the posterior heel and Achilles tendon, supporting skin integrity per NICE CG179 tissue viability guidance.
- Adjustable Velcro Fastening - adjustable Velcro fastening allows secure, comfortable positioning without limb constriction; carers can apply and remove the protectors without requiring resident cooperation, supporting use in dementia and neurological care settings where compliance with protective aids is limited.
- Supplied in Pairs - sold as a pair for bilateral heel protection; machine washable to hospital laundering standards per HTM 01-04; CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should include these protectors in the tissue viability care plan, with clinical assessment confirming indication alongside any additional heel offloading device in use.