To prevent foot drop and contractures, which position is recommended?

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

Answer: (A)

Maintaining a neutral ankle position with gentle support helps preserve the ankle’s range of motion and prevents tissues from shortening into plantarflexion, which leads to foot drop and contractures. Keeping the feet and ankles in a straight, neutral alignment and using a small pillow or rolled towel under the ankles to support them reduces the risk of prolonged flexion. Repositioning regularly changes pressure points and prevents stiffness, promoting flexibility in the calves and Achilles tendon over time.

Placing the ankles in plantarflexion forces the toes to point downward, which lengthens or tightens the calf and Achilles tendons and increases the likelihood of developing a contracture. Letting the feet dangle similarly promotes downward flexion and neglects supportive alignment. Elevating the legs above heart level may help with swelling but does not address maintaining neutral ankle alignment, so it won’t effectively prevent foot drop or contractures.