It's time.....let's talk support hose, shall we?

Nurses General Nursing

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Let's just say I'm not as young or lilthe as I once was; I'm getting sore, swollen ankles and lower legs at the end of each shift. I'm about 45# overweight, and I'm working on that with diet and exercise; but I think I still need to do something to prevent this discomfort.

An older fellow nurse suggested support hose. :imbar I feel I'm too young and hip for such things, and yet, I might not be as young and hip as I think.

So I'm looking for some recommendations and suggestions for support hose. Anyone here use them? Do you recommend certain brands? Knee highs or the full shebang?

Thanks, J

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I'd say avoid kneehighs since they tend to cut into your calves right under the knee. A brand of support hose I've used and like is Silkies. You can order them from http://www.silkies.com

The have a variety that's halfway between non-support and squish your legs to smithereens.

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Thanks. I hate the knee high TED hose for my pts for the same reason, and I wondered if the knee high supports would have similar issues.

If I'm gonna wear these suckers, I want the "crush my legs to smithereens" sort.

I appreciate the recommendation!!

J

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

They have the crush your legs to smithereens kind too

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i got my husband 6 prs of diabetic socks (they come in black and white) to wear to work.

he's not diabetic but does complain of sore feet at the end of the day, with his dorsums looking sl edematous.

anyways, he says they have helped him tremendously, so i wore a pair to work one day, and they were awesome.

something to consider.;)

but i'm from the camp that doesn't give a darn about looking hip, but i better feel darned good.:)

leslie

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i found a really cute pair at scrubs & beyond that are thigh-high, moderate amt of squishing. they are a pale blue with butterflies. i love them!

i wear support hose all the time and i'm in my mid 20's. my legs feel so much better.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Love the knee highs just don't like ones with circulation holes. I wear TEDS, JOBST and haven't ever found that they cut me off at the knee. I'm not a big girl if that makes a difference. I wouldn't wear panty hose for an extra grand a shift...well ok maybe for a grand. :D

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I wear Jobst open toe full panty hose (don't want those little piggies squished all day). You can purchase them in different degrees of compression. The compression is gradual, being strongest/more in the lower leg for support and circulation and less in the abs so you can still breathe. They are pricey ($45.00 or so), but I love mine! They take a little time to get into in the morning and it isn't pretty to see me hopping around the room trying to get them on, but wow do they help when you are on your feet for over 12 hrs on a nice hard floor!

BTW I'm 36..... I understand the hesitation to wear them. The only ones that know I wear them are my bf and the cat. They actually help me to look slimmer, bonus!

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Specializes in wound care, hyperbaric nursing.

As a wound care nurse I can tell you that you definately need support hose as we are more prone to venous stasis disease. A good support hose can help prevent that. If you are starting to experience swelling and discomfort you should go with a hose with at least 15-20mmHg compression. I am 30 and wear 18-20mmHg compression for prevention. My patients with venous stasis disease are prescribed 30-40mmHg. I will tell you that the hose needs to be snug to work. You should get a new pair at least every 6 months as they wear out quickly. I wear a brand called Medi as they are affordable and stay up. I wear knee highs and they do not cut into your legs like TEDs. The Medi brand also has some with a silicon band at the top to keep them in place and for comfort.

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Leslie,

Where did you find the diabetic socks? I want to get some for a relative but haven't been able to find them in stores around here.

Thanks. (sorry for the hijack.... I am eagerly reading suggestions for support hose too)

i got my husband 6 prs of diabetic socks (they come in black and white) to wear to work.

he's not diabetic but does complain of sore feet at the end of the day, with his dorsums looking sl edematous.

anyways, he says they have helped him tremendously, so i wore a pair to work one day, and they were awesome.

something to consider.;)

but i'm from the camp that doesn't give a darn about looking hip, but i better feel darned good.:)

leslie

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

I've tried several things.

SuppSocks: exactly what they sound like, support socks, about 8-15mm compression, they are pretty good and take about 6 months at least, to wear out.

Ted hose with holes: HOLY bejeesus who invented that. It's like a vice. And the lumpy crap under the ball of the foot or wherever the hole goes, is not nice. I have to put socks on over it and take 15 min. to get my shoes on so that the lumpy thing is doable. If you get teds, get 'em without the hole.

Cherokee rockers makes some support socks: They are nice! Got 'em at allheart's website. Now anybody who makes these thinks that gals all have long feet, I don't, so I have issues with the foot area's fit. The rest of the sock is pure heaven. I may buy more of these.

Nursemates thigh highs: no. Just no. You would get the same effect with tying a tourniquet under your knee and walking around. I went 1/2 shift with 'em, took 'em off and trashed them and went without socks the rest of the shift. The second pair I threw away when I got home.

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I appreciate everyone's input! I think I'm initially going to get a couple of different pairs, in knee high and panty-hose style, and see which works.

Thanks so much!

J

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