Can a Trendelenburg Bed Really Help with Circulation and Swelling?
As you researched home health care equipment for yourself or a loved one who may be dealing with poor circulation, chronic swelling or recovering from surgery, you may have stumbled across "Trendelenburg bed." These special hospital beds will shift the entire body at an incline with the legs higher than the head and they are usually prescribed by physicians or physical therapists for particular circulation problems. But how much can you do that with actually medically appropriate stuff and how much is marketing? If you are exploring options for rent a hospital bed at home,, it may be helpful to understand exactly what a Trendelenburg position does and what the purpose is as well as who it is designed to help and who should avoid it.
The Trendelenburg position is not new — it has been used for decades in hospitals mainly in surgical or emergency settings. Modern hospital beds with this feature are designed for use at home, so caregivers can elevate the bed without having to prop legs up on pillows. This mild full-body upward slope helps patients with venous insufficiency, lymphedema or swelling post-surgery get the blood back to your heart more readily and prevents pooling in lower extremities. The need for homecare units, owing to the nature of admissions and long term support segregation from hospitals are some of the major reason for home hospital bed rentals over traditional options with Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg functionality made hugely popular as feasible short term solutions observed in a dramatic rise among individuals recovering at home rather than spending time in a facility.
What is Trendelenburg position
The Trendelenburg position is the angle of the entire bed so that the patient's head is lower than their feet with an incline generally between 15 and 30 degrees. This is opposed to just angling the foot of the bed — with true Trendelenburg, frame pivots so incline head-to-foot stays consistent. The reverse version (reverse Trendelenburg) is when the head is up and feet are down that can help with conditions such as acid reflux or certain respiratory problems.
As cold therapy is the application of ice or a cold compress on a wound site to reduce circulation and swelling,
Venous return— By raising the legs, gravity helps blow for blood to get back in the direction of the center, which will relieve the load on valves inside weak veins.
Less peripheral overload – Patients that develop swelling in the ankles and feet, secondary to prolonged sitting, heart failure or conditions related to the lymphatic system may experience less swelling after lying for periods of time.
Recovery in the post-operative period — a gentle trendelenburg is prescribed by some surgeons after specific abdominal or pelvic operations to facilitate blood flow while movement of patients is almost impossible.
Pressure Redistribution — For patients who are at risk of developing pressure sores, body position changes (including tilt) can assist in relieving constant pressure placed on specific areas.
Who Should Be Cautious
Not everyone is candidate for the Trendelenburg position. It raises pressure in the head and chest, so is generally avoided for patients in a febrile state with:
Which is exactly why the position should only be used at a doctor's or physical therapist's recommendation and not as an everyday comfortable setting.
Should You Rent a Bed With This Add-On?
A bed that allows for adjustable Trendelenburg makes a real difference in clinical outcomes and comfort, but without the need to purchase an expensive full-size hospital beds outright, it can be useful in home from anything from short-term recovery, chronic swelling management, or palliative end-of-life care at home. They are normally provided with delivery, assembly and instructions on how to adjust the chair from the hospital level for a limited time at home.
The Bottom Line
The Trendelenburg bed is not the panacea for all ailments, but applied in a limited fashion in suitable patients with an appropriate medical background it can significantly support perfusion and decrease edema. If your care team advised this position to you, check with them if a rental bed with built-in tilt functioning would suit your timeline of recovery and budget.
This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Never make use of the Trendelenburg position with greater than one medical condition without getting in contact with a health care worker first.
