Posted , 25 users are following.
I've already posted about this subject,but I am again sleepless in Essex! I just cannot sleep with these friggin stockings on! It's been three weeks now since my TKR and I'm coming to the end of the road with them. Does it really make any difference whether I wear them or not? They are so hot, tight and uncomfortable.
0 likes, 89 replies
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Oldfatguy1 elaine94716
Posted
1st a question.....are you taking pain meds and if so, are you taking them as a preemptive measure or only when the pain gets bad. If you aren't taking anything, talk to your primary care doc. They are generally better at finding solutions to difficult questions than surgeons.
At the hospital I go to 6 weeks of the hose is standard protocol. Nightime the hose were taken off. Make sure your legs are elevated 4" or so during the night and ice both legs Frequently. One additional.suggestion...make surevyoubare well hydrated, especially at night. Being dehydrated slows blood flow and causes soft tissue to tighten up and get rigid. Increase you water intake considerably as its generally the most overlooked areas of body requirements.
elaine94716 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Hi OFG. I'm taking paracetamol ibuprofen sometimes and codeine at night, that's all they will give me. It's bad enough trying to sleep on my back let alone wearing stockings that are tight and get wrapped up to the sheets. I took them off last night but have them on now, I will up my intake of water as you suggest, I'm only managing to sleep two hours at a time so tired. thanks again.
Michelle62 elaine94716
Posted
elaine94716 Michelle62
Posted
Thanks I think that's what I will do
marilyn10235 elaine94716
Posted
Hi Elaine
Were you given blood thinners on the ward & to go home with? I was & never wore the stocking again once at home. I only had one stocking you'll note! As they only put it on the unoperated leg!!
I do wear compression hosiery but only in the day, I never wear the things at night!! I only wear them in the day because of other medical issues! And I didn't wear them in the day until I could bend my knee enough to get the damn things on! Which was at least 4 weeks??
Take em off at night, at least you stand a chance of sleeping then!!
All the best
Marilyn
XX
elaine94716 marilyn10235
Posted
Hi I only just saw this. Yes I was given blood thinners for 10 days. I've started taking the stockings off at night, I can't stand the feel of socks in bed! They say I should wear them. In bed because that's when the legs are still. I don't and didn't before so will just carry on as before. 4 weeks post op for me today. One milestone over. Xx
jan01779 elaine94716
Posted
Hospitals differ. Wore mine for 6 weeks but took off a couple of nights. Agreed very uncomfortable especially at night. Don't know your medical history so best discuss with your surgeon.
TKR does have a high risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis. though.
So discuss don't just take them off as that would delay your recovery for sure
Best wishes Jan
jan01779 elaine94716
Posted
Hospitals differ. Wore mine for 6 weeks but took off a couple of nights. Agreed very uncomfortable especially at night. Don't know your medical history so best discuss with your surgeon.
TKR does have a high risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis. though.
So discuss don't just take them off as that would delay your recovery for sure
Best wishes Jan
jenny47422 elaine94716
Posted
I didn't even get to bring them home from the hospital for my first tkr.
This stime I've worn them for two weeks, we are having a heat wave here in Australia, so hot and uncomfrtable. I wear them for a few hours throughout the day but leave them off at night.
I'm taking Xarelto blood thinning medication, so hopefully that keeps the clots at bay.
jane37928 elaine94716
Posted
It's difficult Elaine. They like you to wear them for six weeks because of the relatively high risk of blood clots. I did wear mine for six weeks and was so glad to get rid of them. I didn't sleep well during that time anyway - I guess at the end of the day it's a calculated risk! I didn't want to chance it. Maybe speak to your doctor and see what he says. Hope you are soon sleeping better.
clive45466 elaine94716
Posted
I stopped using them after 1 week for the same reason.
Good healing
cynthia89958 elaine94716
Posted
chris00938 cynthia89958
Posted
Cynthia this is EXACTLY what happened to me twice before! The band at the top rolled down a bit to almost form a a tourniquet that was cutting into my legs and I was worried it would CAUSE a dvt! I even tried cutting the band at the top but they still rolled down. When I told the people at the hospital when they were making my knee replacement appointment they said it was because they weren't measured properly but the ones they use will be different, so who knows. I did read somewhere that if compression stockings are cutting in somewhere then you should roll them down so they aren't doing that. Anyone know? You've given me a good idea though - if there is a problem, to ask the practice nurse! Thank you:-)
jan01779 chris00938
Posted
Hello yes you should always be measured. If you have fit problems as is rolling down then get remeasured. I had the latter in my discharge information. The swelling can make a difference.
Don't roll them down.
Those stocking are awful wore mine for 6 weeks. Such a relief when they are off . . not a great fashion statement 😆😆.
All the best Jan
chris00938 jan01779
Posted
Thanks Jane. I think the hospital I'm going to uses the graduated compression ones and I don't know if they'll fit differently to the one I had before. I've just mentioned a study I found about them but am confused as to what they're saying! I'll have to read it again!
cathy61089 chris00938
Posted
Gosh Chris I wish you & everyone a fast recovery so you can all get those stockings removed. I had the pressure air stocking while in bed @ the Hospital. It was the leg wraps that compressed & then let go. & blood thinner injections while in Hospital all 5 times.
chris00938 cathy61089
Posted
Thanks Cathy:-))) I've heard about the air pressure ones - they're supposed to be good, aren't they. They used them on me while they were doing an op a few years back, just in the theatre. I had blood thinner injections then but the hospital I'm going to uses tablets instead.
cathy61089 chris00938
Posted
No injections hmm. I have had 3 knee replacements & a total of 5 left knee surgeries on my left knee. Just awful
chris00938 cathy61089
Posted
I've no idea why they do tablets instead of injections. Is this unusual then?
cathy61089 chris00938
Posted
jan01779 cathy61089
Posted
HI had injections for 2 weeks. I don't suppose it matters if oral or injections providing you have cover. Ask them at your appointment. I keep a notebook to record my exercises, mess and progres's At the back I jot down questions for Physio and Doctor .
I am not obsessive just a bit forgetful post op it's called TKR brain 😆.
All the bestate, Jan
chris00938 cathy61089
Posted
Oh, that's a bit weird that they do tablets rather than injections then!
cynthia89958 chris00938
Posted
So not just me then? It was not just a case of discomfort, it really started to hurt and I can stand a lot, had 2 kids with no meds LOL.
?The ward nurse was a bit doubtful as to whether I should leave them on last surgery, not knee related, as she could see the cutting in but I feared as you say, that were cutting off my circulation, the leg hurt at the point they cut in for several days after.I did wear them for theatre and a time after. Anyway, I'll see how it goes with my own, at least on the non operated leg. We are all different and I have seen from these groups that people all have varying advice from hospitals, some do not even get the Teds at all. I was a nurse myself, but back in the olden days when these things did not even exist!
Oldfatguy1 cathy61089
Posted
chris00938 cynthia89958
Posted
This has made me decide that if they are cutting in then I'm definitely going to say something, and ask for a different size or something. I'm brave when it comes to surgery and stuff but not so brave when it comes to saying my stockings hurt LOL! But I am going to say something this time if it's the same.