Surgery increases your chances of developing DVT, and having to remain sedentary also contributes to your risk - o nly walking early on and elevation truly increase venous blood flow but wearing compression socks after surgery can help decrease the risk of developing DVT. Signs of DVT include pain in your leg, red or discolored skin and a feeling of warmth. If the blood clot breaks off and travels, it can cause severe problems in the lungs in the form of a pulmonary embolism. Such blood clots usually form in the legs, but they can manifest in other deep veins of the body as well. However, if your doctor instructs you to wear your compression stockings at any other time (such as during sleep), follow their rules first and foremost.ĭeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms deep in the veins. For best results, compression stockings should be donned before you have a chance to swell very much, usually in the early morning right when you wake up. Wearing compression stockings after surgery helps reduce swelling because the specially woven fabric does not allow your skin to expand, forcing the fluid to dissipate instead of settling in one place and causing swelling. However, extreme swelling is not, and it can hamper your recovery and even lead to complications. Some level of swelling is common and even expected after surgery. This pressure encourages venous circulation even when you can’t move, making compression stockings a great solution for post-surgery patients on bed rest. Graduated compression stockings encourage your blood to keep flowing by applying gentle pressure that tapers up your legs. However, just lying around on the bed or the couch is really bad for your circulation since movement makes your heart pump more and stimulates venous blood flow by working your muscles. Your movement may be limited after surgery, so the surgical site can heal. If you think you might benefit from wearing compression stockings after surgery, but your doctor hasn’t prescribed them, talk to them before you decide to get yourself some. In fact, graduated compression stockings offer four distinct benefits for post-surgery patients, from reducing swelling to protecting against DVT.Ī caveat before we break down these four advantages: No matter how beneficial compression stockings are, you should not wear them after surgery without the explicit instruction of your doctor. ✘ Don't cross your legs when sitting or lying down.If you’ve got a major surgery coming up, especially if that surgery affects your lower leg, your doctor may recommend wearing compression stockings after surgery to help boost your recovery. ✘ Don't apply ointments, oils or lanolin to your legs as these products will damage the elastic fibres of the stockings. If you do put lotion on your legs before putting on your stockings, use one that does not have an oil base. ✘ Don't roll down your stockings while wearing them as they will form a tight band around your leg and restrict the blood flow to your leg. ✔ Do check your stockings each day to ensure they are fitting properly and maintaining their elasticity. ✔ Do check for any skin problems each day before washing. ✔ Do dry your legs and feet before you put on your stockings. ✔ Do keep your nails short and take off your rings before putting on or taking off your stockings. ✔ Do remove your stockings before having a shower, bath or wash. Here are some handy do's and don'ts when using compression stockings. Note: There is no right or left stocking. Ensure you can put the stockings on and remove them yourself or have someone to help you with this.Smooth out any wrinkles and make sure the heel is in the heel pocket and the hole is under your toes/ball of your foot.Ease the rest of the stocking up over your ankle, calf and thigh.Ease the stocking over your foot and heel ensure that your heel fits into the heel pocket.Holding the heel turn the stocking inside out. Place your hand into the stocking as far as the heel.
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