I have cankles!

[alkaleidi]

Good lord! This is the 2nd time this has happened, and I can only come up with one explanation.

Back when I first started nursing school several years ago, I noticed after about 2 days of all-day lectures that my ankles were swollen. Not just a little summer type puffiness -- they were SWOLLEN. Pitting 1+ edema. I realize "1+" is minor compared to a lot of edema I've seen SINCE then, but at the time it freaked me out because having been a CNA for a couple years, I automatically thought CHF. Being young, I panicked, but my FNP said that it was probably from sitting all day in a hard plastic classroom chair.

Now, I'm in orientation at a new job, and my ankles are swollen again, a little more but not much more than last time. I have been orientating all week, and have put my feet up when I get home and no relief. The swelling is around both ankles and goes into the top of both my feet.

What the heck! Anyone else have this problem ever? I will be in the ER so I'll be on my feet a lot. I'm thinking long and hard about getting a couple pairs of good support hose and just wearing the stupid things since I've heard nothing but all about how my more experienced nursing friends have varicose veins and other issues with their legs... I'm 26 now, I guess it's never too early to start taking care of issues like that.

Anyone have suggestions or tips to deal with/stop/prevent this? I really am not digging cankles when it's shorts/skirts/flip flop weather!

Thanks in advance!

-A

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

what are you going to do when you are my age

Ive been working longer then you have been alive

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Cankles are the status quo in the nursing profession after about the 8th hour of the shift. Go home and sleep it off. By morning you will be able to palpate bone again, and should be able to wear shorts without anyone pointing and laughing. No need to go to the doc until one ankle is bigger than the other.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Compression socks can be a nurse's best friend. Jobst makes some very good ones.

[alkaleidi]

what are you going to do when you are my age

Ive been working longer then you have been alive

Well gee, that wasn't very helpful at all! Maybe with all those years of experience you have some tips for less seasoned nurses?

[alkaleidi]

Compression socks can be a nurse's best friend. Jobst makes some very good ones.

I have been looking for some -- the swelling didn't go down for nearly a week despite putting my feet up (and I mean UP) when I got home, but now that I'm out of general orientation and on the floor, things are MUCH better. I'm still going to invest in the stockings... I know they are necessary, and I've seen some of my older nursing friends' legs -- I'd like to prevent as much of that as possible.

Thanks a bunch for helpful advice!

-A

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Well gee, that wasn't very helpful at all! Maybe with all those years of experience you have some tips for less seasoned nurses?

I believe in exercise and drinking lots of liquids and playing lots of Golf, walking not riding. Hows that for tips.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Thanks a bunch for helpful advice!

-A

No problem! http://www.jobst-usa.com/mq/mq/stores/finddealers.asp

Here's a link to the website, so you can find a dealer near you.

[alkaleidi]

I believe in exercise and drinking lots of liquids and playing lots of Golf, walking not riding. Hows that for tips.

That's better! I do exercise 4-5 days a week, drink tons of water, and play tennis. Unfortunately can't walk to work -- 12-hr shifts + a 70 minute commute aren't quite compatible. But, since I gave up caffeine early this year, I have been walking either in or outside the hospital on my breaks to stay alert (night shifter)... the extra exercise can't hurt either!

I'm going to try and find some support hose or stockings, see if that maybe helps. Better safe than sorry, I suppose. Thanks for your input! (Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers, just felt your previous response was pretty unhelpful/counterproductive and wondered why you responded at all if your intent wasn't to try to help -- I appreciate your tips, though -- thanks again!)

[alkaleidi]

No problem! http://www.jobst-usa.com/mq/mq/stores/finddealers.asp

Here's a link to the website, so you can find a dealer near you.

Thank you... I have used these on med/surg LOTS. Jobst sounded familiar but it made me think of the compression boots (the things that squeeze the calves/lower legs as opposed to the socks)...

So which ones do you use, or which would you recommend? Like, how much compression do you think is appropriate? I was looking at the thigh highs, but I can't imagine struggling with pantyhose possibly falling down/rolling down while I'm running around a busy ER. LOL.

[penguin2]

what are you going to do when you are my age

Ive been working longer then you have been alive

:lol2: I've been a nurse almost as long as you have, Tom. Your answer cracks me up, b/c I have said that same thing to nurses half my age who regularly complain of being tired/achey/sore after less than 8 hours of work. I think maybe there are just alot of us old workhorses still out there who stay active & just keep going!! Anyway, never had cankles, but after 12+ hours on my feet, they do burn sometimes. So I come home, lie on my floor w/my feet up on my bed for 20 min-- then I'm good to go again-- works wonders!!

[penguin2]

I have been looking for some -- the swelling didn't go down for nearly a week despite putting my feet up (and I mean UP) when I got home, but now that I'm out of general orientation and on the floor, things are MUCH better. I'm still going to invest in the stockings... I know they are necessary, and I've seen some of my older nursing friends' legs -- I'd like to prevent as much of that as possible.

Thanks a bunch for helpful advice!

-A

Never had varicose veins, and I've been at this 30+ yrs. I don't wear support hose-- never have-- but I do stay active, watch my weight, and eat healthy. I recently had someone tell me a cool bath helps sore legs/feet too.