Portrait of practice: a successful approach to preventing heel pressure ulcers after surgery.

Orthopedic surgical procedures requiring a long period of time in the operating room and in recuperation can often result in pressure ulcers of the heels. These are among the ulcers most difficult to heal; therefore, prevention is important. Instituting pre- and postoperative patient education, elevating the heels off the mattress, and using heel protectors resulted in 30 patients with total hip replacement having no pressure ulcers of the heels.