Bed Cradles: Keeping Bedclothes Off Sore Feet and Legs

A bed cradle is a simple frame that sits over your feet and lower legs in bed and holds the duvet, sheets and blankets up off them, like a small tunnel. If even the weight of a sheet on your toes hurts, or you have a wound, ulcer or recent surgery that should not be pressed or rubbed, a bed cradle lets you stay covered without the bedding touching the sore part.

They are light, inexpensive and usually easy to fit. They can often be borrowed from your local community equipment service if a nurse or therapist assesses that you need one. The things worth getting right are the type (one that slides under the mattress or one that stands on its own), how it fits your particular bed, keeping your feet warm in the pocket of air it creates, and remembering that a cradle lifts the bedding but does nothing about the pressure of your heels on the mattress. This guide covers all of that.

What a bed cradle actually is

You may also hear it called a blanket support, bed cage, bed tent or foot cradle. Most are a metal or plastic frame bent into an arch or hoop shape. You lie with your feet and lower legs underneath it, and the bedding goes over the top. The result is a tented space where your skin is not in contact with anything except air.

Some are short and only cover the feet. Longer ones reach from around the knees to the end of the bed. Most are designed so the frame sits towards the foot of the bed and does not get in the way of your upper body.

A cradle does not take weight. It is not a rail, a handle or something to pull on. That matters more than it sounds, and we come back to it below.

Who a bed cradle helps

• Gout. During a flare, a big toe, ankle or knee can be so tender that a sheet resting on it is unbearable. A cradle is one of the few things that helps straight away at night.
• Peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage, whether from diabetes, chemotherapy or another cause, can make light touch feel burning, prickling or electric. For some people the bedding is the worst part of the night.
• Leg ulcers and wounds. Bedding can rub dressings loose, catch on bandages and press on painful areas.
• After surgery on the foot, ankle or leg. Fresh wounds, frames, plaster casts and walking boots are all easier with the bedding lifted clear. A heavy cast can also drag a duvet off the bed every time you turn.
• Burns, fragile skin and some skin conditions, where friction makes things worse.
• Pressure care. Heavy, tightly tucked bedding presses down on toes and the tops of the feet, and can push the feet into a pointed position. For people who spend a lot of time in bed, nurses have long used cradles to take that weight off.

A cradle eases contact pain. It does not treat the cause. If foot or leg pain is new, getting worse, or nobody has explained it, see your GP rather than just managing the symptom.

The main types

Under-mattress cradles

These have a flat bar or plate that slides between the mattress and the bed base, attached to an upright that curves up and over the bed. Your body weight on the mattress holds the bar in place, so the frame does not wander about in the night. They usually come in from one side, which leaves the other side of the bed open for getting in and out.

They suit standard divan and slatted beds well. They are less straightforward with some profiling beds and air mattresses, covered below.

Freestanding cradles

These are a full hoop or arch with feet at each end. Depending on the design, the feet rest on the mattress either side of your legs, or on the floor either side of the bed. Nothing goes under the mattress, which makes them useful where you cannot or should not disturb the mattress.

The trade-off is that they can shift if you are restless, and the floor-standing kind straddles the bed, so you have to get out past it.

Adjustable and folding cradles

Some have adjustable width or height, which helps if you need extra clearance for a cast or boot, or if the bed is wider than standard. Folding ones are handy if the cradle is only needed for a few weeks, or for taking away.

Questions to answer before choosing

• What kind of bed is it: divan, slatted frame, electric profiling bed, adjustable bed?
• What kind of mattress: standard, foam, or a powered air mattress?
• How deep is the mattress? Under-mattress bars need to suit the depth.
• How wide is the bed, and does the cradle need to cover one leg or both?
• How much height do you need underneath? A bare foot needs much less than a foot in a walking boot.
• Which side do you get out of bed, and does anyone help you?
• Is the person restless, confused or likely to fiddle with the frame?

Fitting a bed cradle safely

1. Read the instructions that come with it, including any weight, bed or mattress restrictions.
2. Position it so the frame sits over the feet and lower legs, not the knees or hips, unless it is designed to.
3. For an under-mattress type, slide the bar fully in so it is held by the weight of the mattress, and check it does not tip when you push gently on the top.
4. Lie in the bed and check that feet, toes and any cast or dressing are clear of the frame, with room to move a little.
5. Lay the bedding over the top. Leave the foot end loose rather than tightly tucked.
6. Check that nothing on the frame can catch skin, dressings or nightclothes.

Gaps and entrapment

Look for any gap between the frame, the mattress edge and anything else on the bed where a foot, leg or arm could slip in and get stuck. This matters most for people who are frail, confused, restless or who have reduced feeling and may not notice their leg is caught. If you cannot close a gap, choose a different type or ask for advice before using it.

Getting out of bed at night

The most common practical problem is the night-time trip to the toilet. Half asleep, you swing your legs out, catch them on the frame, or reach for it to steady yourself. It is not built for that and can tip. Some things that help:

• Fit an under-mattress cradle from the side you do not get out of.
• Practise getting out once or twice in daylight with the cradle in place.
• Keep a light within reach, so you are not feeling your way.
• If you need something to hold, that is a separate piece of equipment, such as a bed lever, and should be assessed properly.

Our guide to night-time safety for older adults has more on lighting and toilet trips.

Profiling beds, air mattresses and bed rails

Do not assume an under-mattress cradle will work with an electric profiling bed. The mattress platform moves, and the frame may not sit flat, may shift when the bed is raised, or may interfere with the moving parts. Check with whoever supplied the bed, or the community equipment service if it is on loan. Our guide to profiling beds explains how they work.

The same applies to powered air mattresses. Pushing a bar under one may affect how it works, and it may not hold the bar securely anyway. A freestanding cradle is often the better fit, but check with the nurse who arranged the mattress.

If bed rails are fitted, look carefully at how the cradle sits alongside them. A new piece of equipment can create a gap that was not there before. The bed rails guide explains why gaps are taken so seriously.

Keeping your feet warm under a cradle

The tunnel that keeps bedding off your feet also lets cold air in. Many people find their feet are freezing by 3am, which rather defeats the point of a good night. Some things that help:

• Lay an extra blanket over the top of the cradle and let it hang down over the foot end, closing off the gap.
• Keep the bedroom reasonably warm at night if you can.
• Loose bed socks, if the skin and any dressings allow and they do not cause pain. Avoid anything tight around the ankle.
• A very light layer, such as a thin cellular blanket, draped loosely over the feet under the cradle, if light contact is bearable.

If your feet have reduced feeling, from diabetes or neuropathy for example, do not use a hot water bottle or electric blanket on or near them. You may not feel a burn until the damage is done. The same caution applies to heaters close to the bed.

Heels: the part a cradle does not fix

This is the most common misunderstanding. A cradle takes the weight of the bedding off your feet. It does nothing about the weight of your legs pressing your heels down into the mattress. For someone who spends long periods in bed, the heels are one of the places most likely to develop pressure damage, and a cradle can give a false sense that the feet are protected.

Heel care usually means:

• Checking heels every day, or asking someone to, for redness, darker patches, blisters or skin that feels hot, hard or boggy.
• Raising the heels so they float clear of the mattress, often with a pillow placed along the calves rather than under the heels themselves, or with a heel offloading device if a nurse recommends one.
• Changing position regularly if you can.
• The right mattress, if the risk is high.

Our guide to pressure relief cushions and mattresses covers this in more detail. If you spot any change in the skin on a heel, tell a nurse early. Pressure damage is much easier to deal with when it is caught at the first red mark.

If you need relief tonight

If a cradle will not arrive for a few days, untuck the bottom of the bedding, swap a heavy duvet for something lighter, and fold the foot end back so it rests on your shins rather than your toes. Some people stand a sturdy box on its side at the foot of the bed for a night or two. It is less stable than a proper frame, so do not use it for anyone who is restless, confused or likely to try to lean on it, and make sure no edge touches the feet, especially if they have reduced feeling, a wound or a cast.

When to involve the district nurse, GP or NHS 111

The district nurse should be involved if you have a leg ulcer, a wound that needs dressing, any sign of pressure damage, or you are mostly in bed. They lead on wound and pressure care, and they can often arrange equipment such as cradles, mattresses and heel protection through the community equipment service. Ask your GP practice how to reach them if you are not already on their list.

Speak to your GP if foot pain is new or unexplained, if you think you have gout but it has not been diagnosed, or if numbness, tingling or burning in your feet is spreading or getting worse.

Get help the same day, through your GP or NHS 111, if:

• A joint becomes suddenly hot, red, swollen and very painful, especially with a fever or feeling unwell.
• You have diabetes and part of your foot becomes red, hot, swollen, or develops a wound or discoloured area.
• A wound or ulcer is spreading redness, smells, oozes more, or the pain is getting worse.
• After surgery or a period in bed, one calf becomes painful, swollen and warm.

Call 999 if a leg or foot becomes suddenly cold, pale or blue and very painful, or if someone has chest pain or sudden breathlessness.

Where an occupational therapist fits

For a cradle on its own, you may not need an occupational therapist at all. If the main issue is a wound, ulcer or pressure damage, the district nurse is the right first person. A GP diagnoses gout and neuropathy, and a podiatrist looks after feet, nails and many foot problems. After surgery, a physiotherapist usually leads on getting you walking again.

An occupational therapist is useful when the cradle is part of a bigger picture: when someone is spending more time in bed, struggling to get in and out, managing night-time toilet trips, or juggling several pieces of equipment that have to work together. A private occupational therapist visiting at home can look at the whole bed set-up, including height, mattress, rails, levers and the route to the toilet, and check that each item does its job without creating a new hazard. They can also help you get equipment through the right route, including borrowing it from community equipment services rather than buying.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a bed cradle on the NHS?

Often, yes. Bed cradles are commonly supplied on loan through local community equipment services, usually after a district nurse, occupational therapist or hospital team has assessed that you need one. How it works varies by area, so ask your GP practice, district nurse or council adult social care. Many people also buy one, as they are not expensive.

Will a bed cradle stop pressure sores on my heels?

No. It takes the bedding off your feet but not the pressure of your heels on the mattress. Heels need checking daily and, if you are at risk, raising clear of the mattress. Ask the district nurse for advice if you are mostly in bed.

Can I use a bed cradle with an electric profiling bed or air mattress?

Sometimes, but check first. Under-mattress cradles may not sit properly on a bed that moves, and may affect how an air mattress works. A freestanding cradle is often more suitable. Ask whoever supplied the bed or mattress.

How do I stop my feet getting cold under a bed cradle?

Close the gap at the foot end with an extra blanket hanging down, keep the room warm and try loose bed socks if they are comfortable. If you have reduced feeling in your feet, avoid hot water bottles and electric blankets.

Does a bed cradle help with gout?

It can make a big difference to nights during a flare, because it keeps the bedding off the sore joint. It does not treat the gout itself, so see your GP for diagnosis and treatment, and get urgent advice if a joint is hot and swollen and you feel feverish or unwell.

Is a bed cradle safe for someone with dementia?

It can be, but take more care. Someone who is confused may try to get out past it, lean on it or get a leg caught. Choose a stable type, check carefully for gaps and watch how the person manages for the first few nights. If you are unsure, ask for an assessment.

Next steps

If the cradle is one part of a wider problem with the bed, getting in and out, or night-time safety, an assessment can bring it all together. See our equipment and aids page, or current guide prices, and choose your area below.