These Leg Elevation Pillows Help Relieve Swelling, Back Pain, and Varicose Veins

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The best leg elevation pillows can do wonders for a variety of ailments. While kicking up your feet at the end of the day feels great, these specialized pillows are incredibly useful for post-surgery recovery, easing lower back pain and knee pain, and making sleeping more comfortable.

Raising your legs above the rest of your body improves circulation, says Raj Dasgupta, M.D., board-certified sleep medicine physician and assistant program director at the University of Southern California. Your heart fights against gravity to pull oxygen-depleted blood from the veins in your legs, and raising them allows this process to happen much more efficiently. “It’s a big trip to go all the way up there,” he explains. “Just by simply raising your legs, you’re helping deliver necessary oxygen to every cell and every tissue in the body.”

Meet the experts: Raj Dasgupta, M.D., board-certified sleep medicine physician and assistant program director at the University of Southern California; Rohit Budhiraja, M.D., pulmonary and sleep specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ.

That’s why a leg elevation pillow can be helpful in easing inflammation, lower extremity swelling, leg ulcers, and varicose veins, as well as decreasing the likelihood of blood clots, says Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ. “The pillows can also help decrease leg and back pain, by flattening the lumbar spine. Elevation of the legs on the pillow helps to decrease the swelling into the legs and can help decrease pain,” Prestinpino explains.

There are hundreds of leg elevation pillows to choose from online, and it can be difficult to figure out which option is right for your specific needs. To help narrow your choices, Prevention consulted experts—including sleep specialists and board-certified sleep physicians—and read thousands of customer reviews to identify the best leg elevation pillows on the market.

Our top picks

Whether you’re looking for a single-leg style that lets you adjust its height or a leg elevation pillow that double as a backrest, we found a variety of different options to suit your individual needs. Shop the best leg elevation pillows per experts and reviewers ahead.

Leg Elevation Memory Foam Pillow

With a whopping 14,200 five-star Amazon reviews and counting, the Ebung leg elevation pillow is one of the top-rated leg elevation pillows on the market — and experts agree.

This pillow “offers dense luxury foam that gives bounce-back buoyancy and prevents it from losing its shape,” Prestipino says. “It also has an anti-skid base to help prevent slippage.” Measuring 21 inches wide, this pillow is a great option for those with wider calves. Its plush memory foam material provides plenty of support, and it comes complete with a washable cotton cover for easy cleaning.

Leg Elevation Pillow

This leg elevation pillow boasts an unconventional shape that contours to the shape of your calves, meaning it’s ideal if you’re looking primarily for comfort. Because it's one of the narrower options on this list at just 17 inches wide, it won't require a ton of space and is easier to store when not in use. Bonus: It comes with a washable cover and convenient handles.

Reviewers praise this pillow for its wave shape, which many say is comfortable and ergonomic. "My 83 year-old mom has edema and blood circulation problems," one five-star reviewer says. "I bought this leg elevation pillow for her to use while in her recliner...she loves it and can already tell a huge difference with the swelling going down in her legs, ankle and feet."

Leg Elevation Pillow

Outfitted with a machine-washable jacquard case, this memory foam leg pillow boasts over 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Its versatile wedge shape means you can also use it as a side pillow to elevate your neck and shoulders while resting. Reviewers note that its sturdy construction— a thick layer of cushy memory foam atop a firm, high-density foam — makes it super comfortable. In fact, several reviewers say it's an especially great solution for back pain by helping to keep your hips in a neutral position while you rest.

"This wedge pillow is probably the item I've used the most during my back healing journey," says one satisfied reviewer. "It's firm but comfortable, and provides the support I need to keep my legs elevated while laying on my back."

Post-Surgery Pillow

One Amazon shopper says this leg elevation pillow is “the only one you should even look at.” Why? Unlike other options on this list, the U-shaped top will keep your legs from slipping off (and causing a ton of pain if you’re recovering from surgery).

Its high-density memory foam fill is both sturdy and comfortable, earning this pillow an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon from more than 3,000 shoppers. Plus, at 30 inches long, it's great for taller users, and we love that it includes a soft, machine-washable cover. Thoughtful features include handles on the front for easy adjustments as you rest on it, and its narrower design helps your legs stay more stable. Just note that those with wider calves might want to explore wider pillow options.

Leg Support Pillow

If you know you’ll only need to prop up one leg, this single leg elevation pillow is perfect. The deep contoured channel ensures your leg will stay put while you recover, creating more stability — plus, it's wide enough to fit a recovery boot. With the same washable cover, dual handles and anti-slip guards, it offers plenty of convenient features for a more seamless user experience.

This pillow “is unique because it offers the option to have just one leg elevated, such as if you had a single knee replacement,” Prestipino says. “Its contoured channel helps the leg rest comfortably and prevents it slipping out. It also comes with a carry strap which makes it easy to transfer.”

Memory Foam Leg Elevation Pillow

Another great option for single-leg elevation, this pillow from JOYWOO features three adjustable height levels to suit your preferences. Use the single-leg wedge on its own, stack on the 2.8-inch base for an extra boost or top it with the included pillow for a maximum height of 11 inches, giving you plenty of options for what feels most comfortable. Plus, secure Velcro fasteners ensure that the pillow stays in place after adjusting.

"I seriously couldn't be happier with this purchase," raved one reviewer who says they underwent foot surgery. "Stacking my pillows at home for two weeks was uncomfortable, unideal and hard to keep in place... Truly fantastic material and so cozy."

Leg Elevation Pillow

If you're looking for a quality leg elevation pillow that actually stays put, consider this wedge-shaped pick from Restorology. The cover features a special non-slip texture underneath that's designed to hold its position without flipping overnight. It boasts an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon and over 9,000 5-star reviews. “I like how the slip cover has an anti-skid surface,” one says. “The foam is also quite dense and firm so the weight of my legs doesn't cause them to sink into it.”

While it's designed specifically for leg elevation, this pillow's wedge shape allows it to be repurposed as a sleeping pillow or backrest, too.

Bed Wedge Elevated Leg Pillow

DMI Ortho's leg elevation pillow earns top marks for its firm, supportive materials and budget-conscious price point. According to the manufacturer, it's particularly designed for those with back or knee pain, varicose veins and restless leg syndrome. Not only does this product have over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon (with an overall 4.4 star rating), but it comes highly recommended by Prestipino.

“I love this wedge pillow and use it in my own treatment clinic for patients to try,” Prestipino says. “The pillow comes with a zippered cotton cover that is breathable and can be machine washed to maintain hygiene. It offers a 20-inch base, which is plenty of room to keep the legs in position comfortably.”

Leg Elevation Pillow

Sweaty sleepers, rejoice: this non-slip leg elevation pillow won’t cause you to heat up on sweltering nights, thanks to a layer of cooling gel foam. While memory foam can be notoriously hot and stuffy, this pillow's top-most layer is built to be breathable and moisture-wicking, making it less uncomfortable on hot nights.

Combined with a cozy (and washable) velvet cover and one of the widest bases at 21 inches, this pillow is well worth the investment, according to shoppers. “If I wasn’t so in love with my fiancé, I would marry this wedge pillow,” one reviewer says. “At eight months pregnant, sleep is elusive and this wedge helps my restless legs chill out."

Leg Elevation Pillows

If you don't want to invest in a leg elevation pillow you'll use during recovery — only to have no use for it in a few months — this versatile option might be just the ticket. Not only does it function as an elevated leg rest, but it can also be used as a backrest pillow, sleeping pillow, and more thanks to its wave-shaped design. In particular, the manufacturer says it's great for leg swelling and knee, back or ankle pain. The washable cover, convenient handles and anti-slip base make this pillow thoughtfully designed for a variety of needs.

"I've tried leg elevating cushions before, but this one is a whole different level of comfort," one reviewer on Amazon says. "It's much softer than my previous one, and I can actually sleep on it all night without any issues."

How to choose the best leg elevation pillow for you

✔️ Explore different shapes and sizes. The right leg elevation pillow depends upon the shape of your legs, your height and your available space. Most options look like wide wedges, but some are narrower or more ergonomic. The most important feature to look for is their height, says Rohit Budhiraja, M.D., pulmonary and sleep specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The practice might also worsen sciatica pain, because you’ll generally want your legs to rest above the height of your heart.

✔️ Pick the right density. You need to find a leg elevation pillow with the right ratio of comfort to density. “Too soft a pillow may not provide enough support,” Dr. Budhiraja says, but “too hard a pillow may be uncomfortable.” Try a few out and prioritize memory foam, which is generally denser and more supportive than regular foam.

✔️ Stick to your budget. “You’ve got to go with what’s affordable,” Dr. Dasgupta says. Bells and whistles can be great, especially when you’re looking for a long-lasting pillow, but any option within your budget should get the job done.

Who should use a leg elevation pillow?

Almost anyone can benefit from a leg elevation pillow, Dr. Dasgupta says, including people with cellulitis, a history of blood clotting and swelling due to multiple conditions, like pregnancy, infections, or injuries. You should always talk to your doctor and treat the underlying cause of these conditions, he says, but leg elevation can help ease symptoms and even prevent the need for diuretics (or “water pills”).

Dr. Dasgupta also uses leg elevation in the ICU for people who are severely ill, since the practice can help raise critically low blood pressure. The same concept goes for people who have fainted since elevation increases the amount of oxygen flowing to the brain.

However, you should exercise caution in certain cases. “People with significant heart failure or poorly controlled hypertension should consult with their physicians regarding any potential impact of leg elevation,” explains Dr. Budhiraja. The practice might also worsen sciatica pain.

And people who deal with frequent urination with leg swelling should also be careful, as the redistribution of fluids in the body could cause them to pee even more throughout the night. Start elevating your legs “at least an hour before sleep time,” Dr. Budhiraja says, since that first hour is when most of the fluid will shift. If you have an underlying condition and aren’t sure if a leg elevation pillow will benefit you, talk to your doctor first.

How to use a leg elevation pillow

It depends on why you’re reaching for a leg elevation pillow in the first place. But the best leg elevation pillows are super easy to use. Simply prop your legs on top of the pillow — either on your bed, a sturdy coffee table or foot rest — and sit for 15 to 20 minutes during the day, according to Prestipino. Alternately, you can also use these pillows at night when you sleep.

How long should you use a leg elevation pillow?

During the day, Prestipino recommends using your leg elevation pillow three to four times per day in 15 to 20 minute increments. Prestipino says that leg elevation pillows can be used “every night when you sleep” for maximum relief as well as used during the day.

Are leg elevation pillows safe?

For most, yes. But Prestipino urges those with blood pressure or cardiac issues to consult their physician prior to using a leg elevation pillow to avoid blood flow and pressure complications.

How we chose the best leg elevation pillows

To create our list of the best leg elevation pillows, Prevention spoke with Raj Dasgupta, M.D., board-certified sleep medicine physician and assistant program director at the University of Southern California; Rohit Budhiraja, M.D., pulmonary and sleep specialist Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ. We also conducted our own research and sifted through hundreds of online reviews to find the best leg elevation pillows available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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