Support Socks/Hose....

Nurses General Nursing

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Does anyone wear support socks/hose and what kind?

I'm about to start clinical in 3 weeks and am wondering if it is a good idea to wear support socks/hose as I tend to have light ankle swelling after a long day on feet and my feet get tired and achy.

If you do wear them, please post what kind and where to get them cheap! :)

Thanks!!

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I'm using the cherokee knee hi's 18-21 gradient

http://allheart.com/ckmedisoc.html

Really worth it--you'll notice the difference!

Cheers

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I've only worn the shoes and stockings, so yes the shoes are a bit loose. If I wore socks I'm afraid my feet would get too hot, and that would be bad for me! And my co-workers at end of shift! :chuckle

I tried the stocking from Allheart.com and found that for me, they were too tight. I am "blessed" by size and found the Work N Gear stockings worked well for me. Since I am a larger nurse the other stockings were very constricting and bothered my legs, but the compression was great. If your legs are not large, the Allheart stockings would probably be comfortable for you.

At the store where I get my stockings they sell out of them REALLY fast, so if it's an hour drive for you you might want to find out how quickly they sell out where you live. But we have four or five large hospitals in the area, so there are lots of nurses (and jobs!).

You legs will thank you!

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Thanks Suzy253! Those were the ones I was thinking about too but they are so pricey! Now that I know they really do make a difference, I may just have to have another look at them! I have to get a few more things from Allhearts, I may just pick up a pair for trial.

Thanks Stitchie! LOL about the sweaty feet, I get like that too when I wear socks over stockings too! But stockings alone are definitely not enough for me. I normally prefer to wear socks with shoes like Danskos, so I may have to give the socks a try and hope they are thick enough for me.

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate your help! I hope my legs will hold up to standing 8 hours straight! :)

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Anyone know where to get ones that go to the mid-thigh?

Thanks.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.
Thanks Suzy253! Those were the ones I was thinking about too but they are so pricey! Now that I know they really do make a difference, I may just have to have another look at them! I have to get a few more things from Allhearts, I may just pick up a pair for trial.

Thanks Stitchie! LOL about the sweaty feet, I get like that too when I wear socks over stockings too! But stockings alone are definitely not enough for me. I normally prefer to wear socks with shoes like Danskos, so I may have to give the socks a try and hope they are thick enough for me.

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate your help! I hope my legs will hold up to standing 8 hours straight! :)

Yes, they are a bit pricey...i thought so too but my first semester of clinicals I didn't have these compression knee-highs and I could barely walk when I got home. Just finished a clinical today with these socks (and Dansko shoes too) and the two of them together are just great. I think you'll like them.

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Thanks Suzy253! I have decided to get them to try them out, I'll let you know how that goes after my first clinical :)

Larry, the only thigh-highs I've seen are stockings/hose, is that what you're looking for?

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Methinks it's something naughty! :D

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I reciently went back to work on the floor. After ONE day my legs were > 4+ pitting edema. And the ache!! So bad I could not have worked the third day. (fortunately I was scheduled off) I knew I HAD to do something if I was to continue to work. In desperation I went to a professional pharmacy. got teds. I thought they were about $15 I was so desperate I would have paid anything. Got home and saw they were >$31.

I was in classes for the next couple of weeks, not on the floor. I wore the teds to class. Big help.

Went on line and found hose with different compression levels. I found some that were half the price and twice the compression as TEDs. Ordered them and took back the unworn pair of Teds to the store.

They arrived in time for me to start back on the floor. I cannot tell you how great they are. They litterally saved my job.

My legs are not tired. Do not ache. Do not swell.

In the past I have worn nurse mates and other support hose. Somewhat helpful but not much. Cant get the nurse mate socks to fit me. They bind and I still swell.

I absolute LOVE my Jobst hose. got them from http://www.footsmart.com

I sent for thier cataloge. Great stuff. Shoes everything for the foot and legs. You can get different compression levels. Teds only comes in

8-15mmHg Which is the lowest level of true compression hose, The ones I ordered are Opaque Knee Highs I ordered them in firm support. Which may sound a bit extreem. 20-30mmHg but my situation was extreem. I would not be working without them and would be looking at vein surgery.

I am thrilled. I will be ordring some sheer stocking from them. You can order the same compression as Teds but as I said the price is half.

The knit on these is more resistant to tears, runs etc than the Teds (IMO) These will last a long time.

Ask for thier catalog ( it has more than the web site. ) 1-800-870-7149

They have socks in all kinds of colors (and white) they have every kind of hose for men and women. Many many look like regual socks.

I got 4 pair for 55.80. (27.90 for 2) I have been wearing them 4 weeks and have not even opened one pair. These will last are easy to wash. Did I say they litterally saved my job.

I am guessing your problem is not as bad as mine but as I said you can get different levels. Oh and they say do not start with the firm if you have not worn them before as they will be uncomfortable and feel too tight. I started with the firm and loved the feel.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, free clinic.

http://www.supportplus.com/about_us.cfm

They have a great selection.

I'm a guy, and I love thier hose for men. Wear them only at work, and for salsa.

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LOL Sharon! You may be right! ;)

Thanks Agnus, for all the info! The ones I got from Allhearts is also gradient compression, which is like the ones you are now wearing, not like the TEDs. The JOBST ones listed on footsmart are mostly hoses. I prefer to wear socks with the Danskos though. However, I will check out Jobst site and request a catalogue so I can explore their other options! Thanks again for all the info and you are definitely right, I think they will be worth my investment! thanks again! :)

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i bought some Rockers gradient compression hose. They come in 70 and 140 denier, and I ge the 70. They are about $8.50/pr. They really do make my legs and feet feel a lot better, but they are sometimes VERY hard to pull over my ankles and my thighs. And if they get twisted on the way, watch out! They pinch. Also, they bunch behind the knees. maybe i don't put them on right or something, I dunno, but they are great some days and not so great others. Hope you find some that work for you!

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LOL Sharon! You may be right! ;)

Thanks Agnus, for all the info! The ones I got from Allhearts is also gradient compression, which is like the ones you are now wearing, not like the TEDs. The JOBST ones listed on footsmart are mostly hoses. I prefer to wear socks with the Danskos though. However, I will check out Jobst site and request a catalogue so I can explore their other options! Thanks again for all the info and you are definitely right, I think they will be worth my investment! thanks again! :)

Jobst are not the only ones footsmart carries. The fact is the ones I ordered are footsmart's own brand and MUCH less expensive than the Jobst that they also sell. Like I said thier paper cataloge has much more product than listed on the site, including real socks. I orederd some more things from them today. I wil check out all heart as I like to shop arround.

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