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Domiciliary Foot Stool etc?

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by Blue123, Aug 8, 2010.

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  1. Blue123

    Blue123 Active Member


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    Hi to all of you that undertake domiciliary work!

    I have recently started working a few days a month doing doms and after a couple of dasys work i feel its probably best to start off on the right foot. The work involved being in a single office at a corporate workplace and i had one desk, one basic rigid office chair and one of the height adjustable rotating type office chair. After changing positions frequently due to problems carrying out work with the patients foot on my lap or knee pain when kneeling i came to the conclusion that sitting on the floor while the patient sat on one chair with their foot up on the other was most appropriate. I realise i need to solve this issue asap and have been looking at foot stools etc??

    Can anyone advise me of a good piece of kit or technique to use? Must be portable obviously.

    Thanks
    Blue
     
  2. Catfoot

    Catfoot Well-Known Member

    Personally, I don't have a foot stool as I have enough to carry on doms. I can usually find a suitable piece of furniture in the patients house that I can use.
    However, maybe other pods who do doms can give you more info than I can !

    CF
     
  3. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    I use a £2.99 low plastic footstool, which i invert to carry under my arm with diary, glasses, etc in the well of the stool. I find that sitting on the same height stool is better for my back . !6 years down the line it has been good exercise for the thighs! I have changed stools only twice in that time- they never seem to wear out! I use a foot tray on my lap for the patients foot.

    Cornmerchant
     
  4. Blue123

    Blue123 Active Member

  5. pod at home

    pod at home Active Member

    I found a great collapsable foot stool/step about 30cm high which folds flat with a carry handle for £4.99 in a local gadget type shop; it is fantastic I either use it for the patient's foot and use my apron as a dust tray - or use it as a stool for myself. I prefer to sit on the floor when treating as it puts a lot less strain on my back.
     
  6. Blue123

    Blue123 Active Member

    Does sitting on the floor not strain your knees??
     
  7. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Cheap plastic footstools are available at any hardware shops or surplus stores.

    The mobilis stool looks nice- but you could buy 15 of mine for the same price!
    Cornmerchant.
     
  8. Podsupply

    Podsupply Welcome New Poster

  9. Deborah Ferguson

    Deborah Ferguson Active Member

    Hi
    A company called `Beautelle` makes good quality, reasonably priced footstools. I used one for years but the only drawback is that it is quite heavy to carry. However, it provides a large, stable base for the patient's foot and gives you a working surface.
    I do very little home visiting now and am thinking of switching to a lighter weight stool sold in my local fishing shop for 15 quid ( my back is suffering now lugging loads of kit around and working at the wrong height).
    Cheers
    Deborah
     
  10. pod at home

    pod at home Active Member

    I sit crossed legged - an osteopath once told me it would help to delay back problems with doms - and so far I find it very comfortable and no joint problems at all.
     
  11. ehresources

    ehresources Member

    Hi,
    I use a tool box. There are many shapes and sizes available; they're sturdy hard plastic so you can sit on it as a stool and clean it plus usually have storage trays so you can store either clean or dirty supplies/tools. If you find one that has wheels and an extendible handle, it's even better, especially if you are using it for storage. It saves by back and trips back to the car for supplies!
    Hope that helps!
     
  12. footsiegirl

    footsiegirl Active Member

    I have a garden kneeling stool, which I turn up the other way and sit on. It also has a handy lift up lid with storage under, so useful for extra supplies. I dont take in with me at each visit, as previous posters have highlighted, i have enough to carry in - but i keep in my car for those visits where i know i will need it. I have most of my patients well trained - providing me with a table, extension cable, lamp and a stool...most have recliner chairs too. However, i still get the odd patient who insists on putting me in the conservatory to carry out the work - and as you can imagine, wearing gloves and apron, makes for a sweaty session !
     
  13. simonfeet

    simonfeet Active Member

    I've found after 30 years of doing alot of doms that the best stool for sitting on is a £10 stool obtained from any fishing tackle shop. The best thing to place the patient's feet on is an adjustable foot rest. This is easily obtainable from Canonbury Products,Timesco,Trycare podiatry suppliers. Cost around £60.
    Good luck
    Simonfeet
     
  14. esky365

    esky365 Active Member

    For podiatry doms I would always use an adjustable foot rest. I have tried doing nails, plantar callous and heel callous on my knee and while it is possible, I could never get comfortable.

    I have a collapsible stool that I paid £5 for from Boyes general stores and I carry vinyl cushion for that too.

    For nursing homes I use that as and when necessary, alternatively if it is nail cutting only I use a vinyl covered foot stool at just the right height. It saves wear and tear on the adjustable.
     
  15. esky365

    esky365 Active Member

    I am curious about the cross legged technique. Do you sit on any particular cushion, or on the floor?
     
  16. peterjluce

    peterjluce Member

    I use the Hadewe collapsable footstool- its OK but not worth the money- I don't feel confident to use the facility for raising/lowering the footrest as it feels ricketty to me so I'm afraid of it collapsing while In use which could be dangerous if I'm using the scalpel. This stool goes with the Hadewe podolight- which is a good product except that mine "went" after 5 months of very light use- I'm presently trying to find a supplier for replacement bulbs for this lamp as no one seems to stock them.
     
  17. ngreene

    ngreene Member

    Hi

    I use a foot stool that I got from canonburys and whilst quite expensive is perfect for the pts foot. I have a plastic tool box that I keep all my kit in, I either sit on this for nail cutting or sit cross legged on the floor when doing plantar callus. Whilst I appreciate sitting on the floor is perhaps not ideal, it puts me at the right hight, much more comfortable and I suffer far less back ache this way!
     
  18. lucycool

    lucycool Active Member

    I sit on the top half of my stanley pull along tool box, bought from B&Q. It does the job perfectly! The foot can balance on the end of box or I bought a foot stool, but half the time I don't bother taking it..

    How are you getting on?
     
  19. Geoff Hull Footman

    Geoff Hull Footman Active Member

    Hi
    I have been practicing 19 years and I am on my 2nd tripod home designed and 4/5th stool.
    As Corn merchant I have a POSH £5 stool from Ikea 12'' (some are only 8'') seat with rubber foot pads on the corner. Carried feet up and with tripod ,box of gloves , drill if need to .etc
    My tripod is a spirit level tripod ( on offer at the time from makro) they have a removable screwed apparatus for ease of transporting them . I had a local engineer put a plinth of stainless steel about 7''x 5'' with a very slight curve , he put a boss on the underside it to match the thread .The tripod can still be used for its original purpose if desired.
    Then on domicillary I ask for 2 towels from the pt. I put one one the tripod and one underneath the projecting foot to catch the debris. Own towel ,own leg ,own hygiene .Most give me clean ones !!!:wacko: But no contact from previous pt's footcare.Roll the floor towel and put the bits in the pt's own wheelie bin.I understand this is acceptable DoH wise as their is relatively small quantities similar to the Dn's dressings etc.
    Same seat height every time .you can adjust the height if you wish but many lounge chairs won't let you.
    For heel work being a strong old lad:deadhorse: I rest the foot in my other hand and rest my elbow on the tripod plinth and work with suitable haste .

    Regards
    Your best friend and mine
    Geoff
     
  20. esky365

    esky365 Active Member

    Hi Geoff,

    Any chance of a picture or a link to Ikea for the stool and Makro for the tripod?

    thanks
     
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