Judy,
Got my chairs 3 years ago, took numerous tweaks to get it right for me. Had "elevated fully articulating footrests" Hated them! Took awhile and me being an insistent caller to get a fold up foot platform so I could be self-toileting again (with other foot rest felt like I was in stirrups on a gyno table and in-mobilized in chair). When foot rest down my feet are on it with soles parallel to floor. I've had- no problems. Have a sheepskin on seat of gel and air with self deflating'inflating valve (another tweak).

Hyper aware of areaS THAT MOISTURE MAY COLLECT (UNDER BREASTS, BEHIND KNESS, TOES, ETC) AND keep dry. Took awhile to get things absolutely right for me. Even small things affect my body, which DH finds unbelievable and amazing.

Judy,
I inflate/deflsate my seat in an effort to vary things, position. I can't exercise due to some limb in-mobility but reach, move, etc. do PT like stuff as much as possible that comes in day, try to make every moment a PT moment.

I think you have discovered your problem.
I did not read thru your thread but wondered if you have those egg crate heel protectors. they can help alittle with pressure relief.
YOu want to have lotion applied and massage to increase blood flow to them.
when you are in bed at night can you put your feet up on pillows, well actually not your feet you want to "float" your heels so they don't touch the bed. if you can put a pillow under your calves if that makes sense.
I am sorry you are having foot problems.
bizi

I asked Bizi to drop by. I hope that's OK.
For those who don't know Bizi.... she's a private practice RN, specializing in foot care. Thanks Bizi.

*Expert has entered the room*

I'm a C6.5 paraplegic, almost quad but thank god i'm not...since June 1989.

Foot rests- keep low as possible so legs push on cushion, taking weight off butt, which in turn takes some weight off feet. My foot plates are maybe 1" if that off ground. Just watch how close your heals get to ground, after doing my next tip:

Foot rests- the strap that keeps your foot from sliding off, adjust longer so heel hangs off, which in turn prevents foot DROP. I ordered longer straps then come with these foot plates which they questioned, and of course, I explained why & work perfect.

Foot rests also come in different degrees, if non adjustable. I'm 6' so I go with the ones that stick out the most which is a pain for turning in tight doorways, but enables me to keep them long as possible so legs rest on cushion, which is a low profile Roho.

I've had skin breakdown possibly once, maybe twice since 1989. Takes forever to heal cause it might be a small area broken down on skin, but it's twice as large inside. Don't let it hapen. I had flap surgery in hospital on my butt cause I was on rotor-rest bed for a month cause my lungs were full of fluid, have a trache, ahh the fun memories. Motorcycle accident,
btw- I smoke 1 pack/day for past 25 yrs. After ICU, I still had trache to get suctioned. Friends snuck me a cigarette - I unscrewed trache cover and blew smoke out

Thanks for stopping by biz, with the info! I'm more convinced than ever that these footrests are causing the problem since when I took a "sleeping day" in my recliner where my feet don't touch the chair for 24 hours and was up most of the following day without using the footrests, my feet felt fine!

These fr's are just too short......I'm not really tall, 5'6", but am short-waisted, therefore, longer legs. I told him they were too short when my chair was originally delivered. As my grandmother commented years ago when she rode in a VW bug, "Felt like I was chewing on my knees!" Sort of the same concept!

BTW, do any of you "wheelies" have any suggestions for getting the feet up onto the footrests? With nobody here it's a challenge and takes about an hour or so to get them in the right place between spasms, heavy legs, stiff, etc., etc., etc. I HATE THIS DISEASE!!!!

Judy, while in the hosp for PT, I had a hard time lifting and placing my left foot. The guy gave me a piece of sheet to put around my foot and hold the ends in my hands to lift and place my foot.

I know there are better gizwatchies especially made to do the job. I'll bet you could find something online.

First of all Judy hugs for all your dealing with...you're a brave soul & smart to come here to ask around.
I'm not a wheelie. But my neighbor came home a few years ago with terminal cancer. She was in rehab for a bit and they gave her sheets around her legs to lift them. It helped her so much!!
I wonder if you can get some OT to come up with some type of device like that?
Keep us up to date hon...

Thanks Sally and Debbie for the suggestion of using sheets, so simple sounding but it just might work. They would be soft on my legs and hopefully my arms are strong enough to pull them up. Only problem I can foresee is the spasticity. When my leg is first moved, it spasms straight out and won't bend at the knee for awhile. But I'll give it a try. Have an "official" leg lifter that I used when still sleeping in my bed to get my legs up there, but it won't fit over slippers or shoes and is rougher on the hands being nylon.

Today my footrests were adjusted -- lowered -- and what a difference! My heels feel better already and it's just more comfortable. There were a couple other things to fix just due to vibrations loosening things up. Cost $40 for a "housecall", but worthwhile regarding my feet!

As always, you guys have come through again with great suggestions and encouragement! Thank you sooooo much!!

WoooooooHoooooooo Judy..