Those darn thigh high stockings

Hi gynna - when I had my TKR 8 months ago, I wore the thigh high stockings to 6 weeks day and night. The surgeon told me that by wearing them cuts back on the swelling and blood clots. I know that they are bothersome, but I am glad that I stuck to the 6 weeks. I can say that my knee was not too swollen. And thank God I did not get any blood clots. However, I did take Ecotrin everyday. For me the stockings was a good thing. They are also good for blood circulation. You should at least try them during the day. Good luck. J-21370

Sorry this isn't going to help but I could never wear the thigh high stockings because they kept rolling. Only wore the knee highs. Sounds like you are making great progress. I'm still trying to get flat at

-6..... What a journey this has been.

Just remember why they are prescribed...to prevent blood clots and possibly save your life. How are you wearing them. Some Drs say you can take them off at night and others 23 on and one off. My surgeon has always said I could have then off at night. Make sure they are the proper size. You may need them one size e larger. They aren't comfortable but will keep you safe and you may have to live with that. Better safe than sorry. Only 5 not e weeks

I just had knee high ones, ...even they rolled a bit withhh c

They may feel irritating but make sure you wear them for the 6 weeks. They are prescribed for a reason and believe you me, it's a very good reason.

The feeling when you finally take them off will be amazing but don't be tempted to take them off before you've been told to!

Hi I can only tell you I stopped wearing the stockings after the first week at night too much pain. By the third week I did not wear them at all

Good healing

I was not given them for TKR as i had swollen ankles already on the day of surgery and it was felt they would cut in and cause more harm than good as so tight. Those who were given the stockings only had knee highs and were given only for the non op leg.

​I have my own made to measure compression stockings for my swelling problem but could not get them on either due to leg being extra swollen from op. I have had to be remeasured by the lymphatic clinic. Nurse said the hospital issue stockings can be a poor fit for some people.

They are principally for use when someone is at high risk of blood clots - post surgery of course we are esp with knee ops and those who are not mobile. Some surgeons do not use them though many do.

​If you are having problems with discomfort, then have a word with your surgery nurse, maybe a different size or style coud be provided to suit you better. In the meantime, taking your anti coagulants and being as mobile as possible helps against blood clots and wear the stockings as much as you can. If they cause any red marks where they roll up, then I would show the nurse as any pressure like that can actually be worse for cutting the circulation. But take advice as each case unique.

 

I was only given 1 knee high which I wore in hospital.

After that I wore my compression hosiery (for PTM & healed leg ulcer) once I could get them on, at about 3 weeks.

Marilyn

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Thanks you to everyone!!

Never had socks. My doc never prescribed them. I took two aspirin a day for a month. If my doc had advised me to do it, I would have used them. Do what your doc says. Sounds like you are moving right along!

Hi

I know wearing the stockings is a pain and 3 times l have had to wear them after surgery of 2 hip.replacements and 1 knee. I soon have my other knee to get done and beleive me l will be wearing them as l just nearly lost my mum to DVT after they found a blood clot in her main artery in her neck that could have killled her if it moved to the brain or the heart. You always think it will never happen to you and moan about wearing these stockings ......l did myself so much but now that l seen it can actually happen l will wear them and not moan as my mum was in hispital for a short time and was getting the blood thinning injections while in but never had major surgery yet got DVT and it travelled up to her neck and got stuck at the arterty by luck. Now she has to take the injections for the rest of her life. Try and just think its for your own saftey even though they are such an annoyance. I moaned none stop about them. Lol

I just had ankle surgery and have had to wear a moonboot for over 2 months 24/7 and beleive me it is hell. You think the socks are bad jeeze this is torture.

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