Why do I have to wear this anti-embolism stocking?!


Question: I have just come out of an operation on my ligaments in my foot. I shall be in a solid non weight bearing plaster for 2 weeks and then in a walking plaster for 4 weeks. I have been given this anti-embolism stocking to wear.

Why do I need to wear it? How does it aid circulation? Do I need to wear it at night, as there is usually no movement at night when people are sleeping yet people don't usually wear them? How long should I wear it for?


Answers: I have just come out of an operation on my ligaments in my foot. I shall be in a solid non weight bearing plaster for 2 weeks and then in a walking plaster for 4 weeks. I have been given this anti-embolism stocking to wear.

Why do I need to wear it? How does it aid circulation? Do I need to wear it at night, as there is usually no movement at night when people are sleeping yet people don't usually wear them? How long should I wear it for?

Ahh, the joys of the TeD stocking. They are buggers to put on, buggers to wear, and buggers to take off. But, they are necessary.
I'm really surprised that your doctor and the nurses looking after you have just given you the stocking and not given you any advice on when/how to wear it etc. That's not good care. You need to be going back and asking them to explain it properly to you.
After surgery, there is an increased risk of you developing a clot (DVT) in your leg. This risk is increased if you are not very mobile. As you will be wearing a non weight bearing plaster for 2 weeks, you come into this category.
The stocking works by compressing the veins in the leg, thus increasing the circulation and reducing the risk of DVT.
But you should really go back and speak to your medical team again.
Hope this helps.

Wear it for as long as you are told too. It constrcits the muscles in the leg and therefore the viens to aid circulation. this prevents a 'bild up' of blood forming a clot which can then move around your body. This can be serious. Remember talc is the best way to get it on.

The stocking aids blood flow to the foot and protects from deep vein thrombosis which can lead to embolism (blood clot moving from leg to lungs), the hospital should have told you how long to wear it, so maybe ask them.

Deep Vein Thrombosis often follows surgery when the patient is not walking around as normal, blood can 'pool' in the legs and be liable to clotting.

The stockings tend to 'squeeze' the limb so that blood cannot pool and the risk of clots (thrombosis) is reduced.

Your doctor will advise as to whether you need to wear it at night. You may want to ask your doctor about anti-clotting medication such as heparin or some related drug.

Wear it day and night until you are completely mobile again which in your case is likely to be six weeks. You are recommended to remove it for only 30 minutes per day which is long enough for you to bath, shower or wash as best you can without getting your plaster wet. You should have been given a spare stocking too from the hospital so you can alternate them for laundry purposes.





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