Elevation of the injured area above the level of your heart will help to maximise the fluid drainage away from the injury. Keep the injured area (leg/arm) comfortable and supported with pillows or a stool whilst doing this to help the area relax.
In fact, it helps drain the excess fluid from the site of your injury, and this may reduce pain and speed up healing. In order to get the best results from elevation, you should raise the limb above the level of your heart. If you can't, you'll want to raise it so that it's as high as possible.
Elevation of the injured part lowers the pressure in local blood vessels and helps to limit the bleeding. It also increases drainage of the inflammatory exudate through the lymph vessels, reducing and limiting edema and its resultant complications.
Elevation. Elevate the injured or sore area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help minimize swelling. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also help relieve your pain and swelling.
If a limb is injured, raise the injured area above the level of the person's heart (if possible). Get the person to apply direct pressure to the wound with their hand or hands to stem the blood flow. If the person can't do it, apply direct pressure yourself.
E: Elevation is recommended to help reduce the pooling of fluid in the injured extremity or joint. Controlling swelling can help decrease pain and may limit the loss of range of motion, possibly speeding up recovery time. Elevation is accomplished by positioning the injured area above the level of the heart.
"E" is for Elevation
For both upper and lower limb injuries, it is equally important to keep the limb elevated to minimize swelling. Elevation to the level of the heart or above allows for excess fluid to be pumped back into the blood vessel system and will help prevent further swelling from occurring.
Elevation reduces swelling and bruising by making it more difficult for blood to reach the injury. Experts say it is best to elevate the area for 2–3 hours a day.
Elevation is a technique commonly used to treat many musculoskeletal injuries ranging from foot fractures to tendinitis in your knees. Elevating injuries in your legs or arms can encourage blood flow to inflamed tissue and reduce swelling.
Ice pack application or cold water immersion is recommended for 15–20 min every 2–3 hr for the first 48 hours, or until swelling is improved, whichever comes first. Compression with an elastic bandage or compression stocking early. Elevate the injured ankle above the level of the heart to further alleviate swelling.
Elevating a sprained ankle reduces the accumulation of fluid in the joint. This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart. When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated.
Any leg injury that involves swelling can benefit from elevation. Swelling is an integral aspect of your body's natural inflammatory response, and it is your body's way of communicating that you should avoid that area.
Prop up your leg on pillows when you sit or lie down in the first few days after the injury. Keep your leg higher than the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling. Follow instructions for exercises to keep your leg strong.
Elevate your arm above your heart. The best way to do this comfortably is to lie flat on your back with your hand resting on a few pillows. Elevate your hand for at least three days after surgery.
Direct pressure slows blood flow at the site of the injury and might even stop it completely. If so, you have a perfect situation for clotting to start. Elevation (raising the wound above the heart) slows blood flow simply because it's harder to flow uphill than downhill.
Benefits to Leg Elevation
Elevating your legs takes the pressure off and gives your veins a break. Better blood flow: When you're standing or sitting with your legs on the floor, your veins are working extra hard to pump blood back to your heart.
One of the easiest ways to manage swelling is to elevate (raise) the swollen limb. The goal is to elevate the swollen limb slightly above the level of the heart. This helps the extra fluid move back towards the heart for circulation to the rest of the body.
Hold the swollen part of the body above the level of the heart several times a day. Sometimes, raising the swollen area during sleep can be helpful. Massage. Stroking the affected area toward the heart using firm, but not painful, pressure might help move fluid out of that area.
Increase activity: Exercising for as little as 20 minutes a day can decrease inflammation. You don't have to do an intense sweat session: Moderate workouts, such as fast walking, are effective. Eat a heart-healthy diet: Processed and fast foods produce inflammation.
Lastly, using pillows, elevate the injury at heart level or above. Doing so aids circulation by allowing your blood to cycle through the injury area and back towards the heart. Elevation prevents additional swelling and pain.
Elevating your legs can reduce the amount of fluid in the tissues, thus lessening the swelling. Lowers blood pressure. Sitting or standing for long hours restricts circulation in the veins. The more blood accumulates, the higher the blood pressure in the veins.
Use a pillow to elevate your legs above your heart level. If you're having a hard time elevating your legs above your heart, start with a coffee table or ottoman. Keep your legs in an elevated position for 15 minutes. Repeat this three to four times daily.
Sleeping with your legs elevated can reduce swelling
Oedema is a term used when the body swells up due to a build-up of fluid - it usually affects extremities such as your arms, legs and feet. By elevating your legs as you sleep, you can reduce the discomfort and pain this may bring, as well as reduce the swelling.