Living made easy

A leg rest is intended to support the legs from the chair edge right down to the feet although, in practice, many are rather short.
A footrest only supports the feet and ankles and is usually lower than a leg rest.

Help and advice

If you are experiencing swollen or painful feet we recommend you consult your G.P. If you have received any medical advice about putting your legs up when sitting you should follow the advice. It may determine the type of legrest or footstool most appropriate for your needs.

The NHS has a range of online information including advice for people with oedema.

A footrest may not be suitable if you have a painful, stiff or weak knee as your knee will remain unsupported. This can put strain on the ligaments behind the joint and could lead to discomfort.

The use of a manual leg lifter can help with placing your legs onto a footstool. View manual leg lifters.