How should you position a patient in bed to prevent foot drop and contractures?

• A. Plantarflex ankles
• B. Keep feet dangling
• C. Elevate legs above heart level
• D. Keep feet in a neutral position, use pillows to support ankles, and reposition regularly.

Answer: (D)

Maintaining ankles in a neutral position with proper support and moving the patient regularly helps keep the calf muscles and Achilles tendon from shortening, which prevents contractures and preserves the ability to dorsiflex the foot. Placing a small pillow or support under the ankles keeps the feet from pointing downward and reduces pressure on the heels, promoting proper alignment. Repositioning at regular intervals maintains joint mobility and circulation, further reducing the risk of contractures. Elevating the legs above heart level is useful for edema but doesn’t address ankle alignment and isn’t the primary strategy for preventing foot drop. Plantarflexing the ankles or letting the feet dangle encourages a contracted, plantarflexed position and increases risk for foot drop. So the best approach is keeping the feet in a neutral position, using pillows to support the ankles, and repositioning regularly.