What conditions does the leg wedge help?
back pain & Stiffness
Most lower back pain and stiffness is caused by excessive pressure being placed on the bones and joints of the lumbar spine. This happens when we stand due to gravity pressing down on the lower back, but even when we lie down to reduce the effect of gravity there is still excessive pressure being placed on the lumbar spine due to the positioning of our legs. The Leg Wedge optimises your posture when lying so that the pelvis and lower back are in a neutral position, relieving pressure on the spine and allowing the muscles to fully relax.
sciatica
When we lie flat on our back with our legs straight, the lower spine goes into a hyperextended position. This means that the vertebrae compress together leaving less space for the sciatic nerve as it exits the spine. A trapped sciatic nerve will get more irritated in this position, this is the reason why so many people who suffer from sciatica report that their pain is worse at night. By lifting the knees up to create the perfect angle at the hip, The Leg Wedge alters the position of the spine to neutral, reducing the nerve compression which allows it to relax and settle down.
Knee pain & arthritis
Knee pain and arthritis can be at its worst when resting or in bed at night with many of my patients complaining that this is the time that it bothers them the most. Research has shown that most compression is put on the knee joint when the knee is fully straight and the least stress is put on the joint at an angle of 25-35 degrees. Resting with your legs straight or sitting in a chair with your knees bent can therefore put additional stress on the knee joint, aggravating your pain. The Leg Wedge is specially designed to take the weight of your legs off the knee joint and have them resting at the perfect angle for pain relief.
Hip pain & arthritis
Any pain conditions involving the hip joint, including arthritis, can be at their worst when you are resting or in bed at night. The hip joint consists of a cartilage-covered ball at the end of the femur (thigh) bone connecting into the cartilage-covered socket in the pelvis. It has been shown that there is more compression in the hip joint when the legs are straight, and there is less compression on the hip when the thigh is raised to an angle of 30-40 degrees. The Leg Wedge is specially designed to create this angle at the hip joint, therefore taking pressure off the joint and relieving pain.
Post surgery
Swelling can be one of the biggest barriers to a speedy recovery after hip or knee surgery as it can restrict joint movement and reduce muscle function. Getting the joint moving again and strengthening the muscles are key priorities after surgery so the sooner the swelling settles down the better. The main lymph nodes that reabsorb the swelling are situated in the groin so the more time you can spend in a position where gravity will facilitate the movement of the swelling towards the groin, the quicker the swelling will settle down. The Leg Wedge puts your legs in this position so the swelling can drain towards the groin to be reabsorbed, allowing you to progress with your rehabilitation.
other uses
Although primarily used for back and lower body ailments, I also use The Leg Wedge for my patients with pinched nerves in their neck and shoulder. This can be extremely painful, especially trying to find a comfortable position at night. Propping your head and shoulders up on The Leg Wedge often instantly supports the head in a position that takes pressure of the nerve and gives some pain relief. Similarly, propping the upper body up slightly in bed for those who suffer from acid reflux (common in pregnancy) can help you to get a good nights sleep.
