Support Hose vs. Socks vs. None

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2007

I have a humongous varicose vein in my left thigh. It is a remnant of pregnancy. It hasn't bothered me yet. I don't wear anything special besides my Quarks shoes. My legs have yet to hurt me, which shocks me. I am almost 40 and a new grad. I am not used to working 12 hours. I have decided that when and if it starts to hurt I will deal with it then.

CHATSDALE · Mar 18, 2007

i think some knee highs might prevent some problems if you have a family hx of problems esp if you are overweight

some people never wear them and some swear by them...take care of your self from head to toe you are the only you you have

TazziRN, RN · Mar 18, 2007

Full length support hose. I've worn them since I graduated nursing school, after a classmate with LVN experience told me about wearing them to prevent varicose veins. Must work, 'cause nary a vein has dared to varicose in my legs! I wear ankle socks over them for cushioning.

cardiac.cure03 · Mar 18, 2007

I tried wearing them, but they fall down to my ankles and I'm always having to pull em back up! Both the knee high and the thigh high.

Maybe it's the brand? I dunno... But I'd like to hear of some responses on what brand they use etc :)

RN BSN 2009 · Mar 18, 2007

should try them!

Indy, LPN, LVN · Mar 18, 2007

Positive family history here, the women in my family grow big, spiderveined legs and of course, we have hx of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. I'm 38 with none of those things, just picky feet that hurt if I don't treat them like princesses (I try to!) and some faint spider veins on my legs. I wear support socks, knee high, 8mm compression. They're comfortable and keep the legs from hurting, no matter what my feet feel like. Brand name is "suppsocks."

I tried nursemates knee high support hose once. It felt like I tied a tourniquet around each knee. One pair I cut the bands on during my shift, then eventually threw them in the trash. The other pair went in the trash when I got home.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Mar 18, 2007

Socks and shoes with spongey soles. My chiropractor gave me an insert for one shoe because my legs aren't the same length (most people's aren't), and that relieved my back pain considerably. I don't even have to wear it all the time.

Been a while since I did a 12 hour shift though so I don't know if my contribution will be helpful.

I did find that moving around, doing a few squats and bending over and stretching from time to time helped stretch out muscles.

HalleyFarm · Apr 20, 2007

I wear Sigvaris Cushioned Comfort in the unit for 10-12 hour shifts. They are padded, feel great and don't fall down.

http://www.healthylegs.com/agsupportsocks.html

________

Halley

Ophelia78 · Apr 20, 2007

I wear Nursemates knee-high support hose. I should probably be wearing something longer and stronger. My mother and 4 aunts are all old nurses- and have pretty sad-looking legs, lots of spider veins and varicosities. I started getting spider veins in 5th grade (don't ask me how- all I did was read all day!). I have spider veins on my outer thighs, varicose veins starting on the back of my knees, and my calves cramp and ache by the end of a 12 hour shift.

justme1972 · Apr 20, 2007

Members of my family that work in the hospitals...they all swear that you need to keep TWO pairs of shoes and wear them on alternating shifts.

The reason is that the sole of the shoe, the inside, has a chance to spring back after many hours of compression as well as to completely dry out. This also extends the life of your shoes.

jjjoy, LPN · Apr 20, 2007

Great idea! It's also nice to bring extra socks and change into a fresh pair in the middle of a shift. Cool, dry feet... ah!