Compression stockings or no compression stockings that is the question

Bones, joints and muscles
1

im two weeks post op. I was told to wear stockings for 6 weeks. 

Apart from the fact that they are one of my pet hates, so would this this creally like to bin them, I would like your input as to wether     surely 

they shoul stay, or should they go???

i had my ankles re measured yesterday and they gave me new stockings as the other ones kept falling down. 

As usual they fell  down. In the morning I found  them round my ankles. The thing is they then leave an indentation in my ankle surly the circulation?. My husband is forever pulling them up for me during the day, one place I can not get to myself

i  get to to do it myself. And the toes, I always feel like they get stuck round I the same old toes, so uncomfortable. 

 

2

I pad playing up wouldn't let me type!! 

What I was saying surely this is bad for circulation 

have you got any advice for me out there. Some of you posted that you didn't have stockings?  

I am pretty active. Have three good walks a day, do most thing now,even be it one handed, 

what do you think

have a lovely day 

carol😄🌻🍰

3

I was told 6 weeks but phoned hospital after 4 weeks and they said as long as I was mobile I could remove them. They are to stop swelling though. I haven't got any because I'm walking round doing pretty much anything within my restrictions.

4

The risk of DVT is significant, sounds a bit early to be removing them. I take mine off when mobile and put them on when resting and at night. Can you get anything else in the shops? Like stockings or ones for flying that may be more comfortable?

 

5

Hello Carol,

I was never given stockings, nor was I advised to use them.

My legs & feet were quite swollen for the first 6 weeks & I actually bought a couple of pairs; but was advised by my GP just to wait until the swelling went down naturally.

So... if you really dislike them it probably won't harm you not to wear them.  Have you asked your GP's advice?

Cheers

6

You should wear them. they shouldn't be falling down though if they have been measured properly.

People seem to have a mixture of treatments for DVT so if you have been given them I am sure they are important.

7

Hi Carol,

DVT prevention seems to vary such a lot - I wore the stockings in hospital, and had foot pumps on the bed on the day of the op and the next day, but the day  after the hospital removed them before I went home. Was on blood thinning tablets for 5-6 weeks, but that is all. Was pretty mobile, and did have a fair bit of swelling, but reckon I was pretty lucky as no stockings or injections. 

8

According to medics stockings don't prevent DVT only useful to keep swelling down. Not sure why they are advised for long haul flights if that's correct.

9

Hi Carol

Sorry you are having such problems with them - they sound awful, especially in this weather. 

I had my THR in Rugby 7 weeks ago, and was not told to wear these - just isn't part of the standard recovery set-up in this area.  It was only when I went on this forum that I realised that it was something others had to contend with.

Do you know whether or not it is standard advice in your area or if you were specifically told to wear them because of being at high-risk of clots?  If it is just what they advise in your area, and you are following all the other advice, taking anti-coagulants (either injections or tablets), doing the excercises and walking lots, then I would think you could try leaving them off and seeing how you go.  I didn't have stockings and only had a swollen leg for one day on Day 5, but I think I have probably been lucky having read other posts. 

If you start getting swelling, put them on again and rest.

It seems you could have more risks of dislocation through putting them on and pulling them up all the time, don't you think?

all the best

Cheryl

10

I think two weeks is too short a time personally - I stopped wearing my stockings after 4 weeks but I am very mobile and doing more then I was pre op.

Secondly - your stockings are not been measured correctly - they should be extremely tight fitting in order to increase the pressure within the leg veins.  They should never fall down - the most irritating aspect for me was my toes had an uncanny knack of finding their way through the holes despite my best efforts to prevent this.

 

11

Hi carol ... my experienc is the same as Cheryl's - I live in Holland but it seems to be different from hospital to hospital here as well  - I read about them here on this forum ... I had to inject Fragmin for 6 weeks though ... 

good luck, especially in this weather ...  -

swelling in my operated leg lasted for about 10 days ... started at the top and went down - scary looking but was told it is normal and could last 2-3 weeks ...

I wish I could tell you not not wear them .... 

take it easy and be gentle with your self ....

renee

 

12

Hi Ross shire

Well you and me were never given these horrible things!

Yes DVT is serious but exeter hospital say 2 junior asprin a day is just as good...and that's wot I took for 6 weeks. That after auto foot pumps at hospital for 20 hours...

So...no should or shouldn't...but many hospitals dispute them as useful and you need to suss out what you need to do.

Good luck!

Mic

13

Hi Cheryl 

thanks for for your reply. I agree with what you say. I am not high risk with regard to DVT. It is standard practice in this area. For me personally I think they are more of a hindrance than a help as they end up round my ankles and  get tight  there which cannot be good for circulation. 

I have taken them off. Decision made. I have walked quite a bit today and ankles not swollen, so I will do what you suggest, if they swell up again I will wear them 

I'm quite glad really as it is the only thing I can't do for myself. 

Joy, no more stockings 😃😃😃😃👯👯👯

14

I know exactly what you mean, drove me crazy. No sooner you get your toes out, the flaming things back. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

15

Hi Renee,

decision made, stockings off. If my leg swells I will start using them again 

what you up to today? 

 

16

Hi Carol

So your decision is made...we'll done!

A small glass of wine to celebrate?

Take care

Mic.x

17

Hi Carol

I had both hips replaced.

I'm 5 weeks post op & 1 week was enough for me with those stockings. I was religious with the anti corragulant meds only

18

Thanks 

19

I just might! 🍷🍷🍷