Ankle high compression stockings?

[Patton57]

I'm a C7 complete and have been wearing 20-30mg knee high stockings over 90% of the time (all but 10 hours a week - take them off 3 times a week when I shower) for almost 16 years. Switching to this practice was a game changer. The key is to keep your feet from swelling any if at all during the day. The only problem I've had is when the stockings get a hole and I try to stretch out their useful life. The holes can create pressure sores so replace them at this point.

Try this for a few weeks and if it doesn't work then discontinue the method.

[dnvrdave]

Originally Posted by Patton57

I'm a C7 complete and have been wearing 20-30mg knee high stockings over 90% of the time (all but 10 hours a week - take them off 3 times a week when I shower) for almost 16 years. Switching to this practice was a game changer. The key is to keep your feet from swelling any if at all during the day. The only problem I've had is when the stockings get a hole and I try to stretch out their useful life. The holes can create pressure sores so replace them at this point.

Try this for a few weeks and if it doesn't work then discontinue the method.

It sounds like you do what I do (did), except your socks have more compression. Is that what you are suggesting? I figured I needed more compression. I just didn't want the nurses struggling (taking more time) more than they already do, putting them on. But I think you are right; the swelling is not good. I think I need a prescription for that compression level, and they are more expensive, but I will probably do that. Thanks!

My socks never get holes. They just seem to lose their elasticity after about a year. How long do you use yours before they get holes, or lose their elasticity? How often do you wash them? I wash mine once a week because I don't sweat, so they have no odor. Do you use lotion on your legs? I use Eucerin every other day; that might affect the sock life too. (These questions have probably been answered here before; I will look.)

[Patton57]

Originally Posted by dnvrdave

It sounds like you do what I do (did), except your socks have more compression. Is that what you are suggesting? I figured I needed more compression. I just didn't want the nurses struggling (taking more time) more than they already do, putting them on. But I think you are right; the swelling is not good. I think I need a prescription for that compression level, and they are more expensive, but I will probably do that. Thanks!

My socks never get holes. They just seem to lose their elasticity after about a year. How long do you use yours before they get holes, or lose their elasticity? How often do you wash them? I wash mine once a week because I don't sweat, so they have no odor. Do you use lotion on your legs? I use Eucerin every other day; that might affect the sock life too. (These questions have probably been answered here before; I will look.)

I have several pairs of 15-20mmHg socks and about 6 pairs of 20-30mmHg pairs. When I slum it and drop down in compression there is a noticeable difference in swelling but sometimes I need to use those colors plus I want to get my moneys worth out of them. I spend 15-$40 for each pair but they last several years so in the big scheme of things it is a bargain (a pressure sore on your ankle or toes, from swelling, could easily cost 100s of dollars and serious down time). I wash them every 3-6 wearings. I get holes usually when I'm not wearing shoes and they get snagged on something.

Another secret I've learned is to put shoes on (and tie them up) within an hour or two of getting up for the day and it makes all the difference. As you probably know once your feet are swollen for the day you don't get the day back. It's a momentum thing and you have to stay ahead of it by getting a jump on it early in the day (somedays I'll slip a pair of tennis shoes on just to stay ahead). This is subtle but effective as so many of the tricks of staying on top of SCI are.

[dnvrdave]

After trying more, I am able to remove the ankle high stockings in bed at night. Yay! But my calves were starting to swell some, so I went back to the knee high.

I ordered 20-30 mmHg knee high (Jobst on Amazon for $25 w/o prescription) and wore one on my right foot yesterday, because the right swells about twice as much as the left. The swelling was about the same at the end of the day, and even worse on the outside of the ankle (around that boney area). So I am going back to 15-20 mmHg for now. And maybe use the ankle socks a couple days a week at 5pm.

Any ideas? Do I need to keep wearing the 20-30 mmHg (like for a week) before I notice the improvement? Is the Amazon version not "authentic"? The material is very different from my 15-20 Jobst; it is smooth, without vertical elastic seams.

Patton57: I have also seen that shoes help keep the swelling down. But unlike yours, my feet seem to drain fairly quickly later in the day if I elevate them (w/o socks on).

smashms: You have good advice too. I am listening, and may decide to hire a nurse at night to take the socks off (I just don't like being forced to end my day at a certain time). I have my annual physical in a month and will see what my doc says (but he's not an SCI doc).

[hlh]

I am wondering which Jobst 20-30mmHg you bought, as the ones my Dad bought cost a lot more $$ (usually $55+). Maybe it was a lower quality model so the compression was not as good. We have also noticed a drop in Jobst quality and are moving away from using that brand.

Usually we know after wearing stockings for just one day what they are going to be like.

[SCI-Nurse]

yes appky before fetting out of bed. they should be better
cwo

[dnvrdave]

Two ideas have helped reduce my foot swelling lately:

1) In the morning, during the few minutes in bed when the stockings are off, I elevate the foot of the bed.

2) I asked my doctor about using higher compression stockings, and he didn't like the idea. He told me to cut back on salt intake. I don't eat much sodium now, except restaurant food about once a week. When I do, I have definitely noticed that my leg bag (almost) stops filling up, and my feet are fatter. I found that the bread I eat has 150 mg sodium per slice, and Grape Nuts have a lot, so I cut back on those, and it is definitely helping.

[SCI-Nurse]

I am always on a dietof some type and it is amazing what they put or don't put in things. I have learned to compare labels.Its amazinghow much sodium, sugar that go in to some but others have vitamins and fibers that would be good for you so choose thehealthy one and they might be the same price- same with cereals and canned stuff and everything.
it didn't help with the problem withobesity!! now the food council is watchongand told them to cut out all that sugar in cerealetc... but we need to watch it too. Who needs that much sodium and sugar in bread?

Read all labels!
CWO

[SCI-Nurse]

Also use garlic instead of salt for seasoning, it is good for you!
CWO