How To Check if Support Hose Cut Off Circulation

http://www.supporthosestore.com/joformen15mm.html

     As a podiatrist I primarily dwell in the world of making lives better, but rarely save a life. Almost weekly I experience patients in the wrong length or fit of support hose, and the consequences of blood clots and pulmonary emboli could be life threatening. I implore all of my readers to look at their loved ones who wear support hose and make sure that their circulation just below the knee is not being cut off. 

Poorly fitting knee high (aka below the knee) support hose in my patient Bruce being treated for a deep vein thrombosis.

The New Rx I scribbled for Bruce to change to Above the Knee Support Hose (aka Thigh Length) with the same pressure.
The pressure is in mm Hg (millimeters of Mercury). Sorry for the scribble.



Will I save Bruce's life with this simple change? Who knows? But, I can sleep well at night for checking. 

Monday's Image of the Week: Perfect Compressive Support Hose: Thigh High and Open Toe

Here is my ideal compression hose for foot and ankle swelling. They go above the knee and are open toed. This avoids so many problems with toenails. Also, below the knee compression hose actually cut off circulation in my estimate over 50% of the time. If you are wearing below knee support hose, check to make sure the upper end is not leaving an indent in your skin!!! This is a sign that they are actually causing a swelling problem, not helping one!!

http://medicalsupplies.healthcaresupplypros.com/bi114647?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_adwords&gclid=CLu1xe7ktrwCFRSUfgodTToAyg

Diabetes Encouraged to Wear Compression Hose

Diabetics Should Wear Compression Socks: FL Podiatrist Diabetes so dramatically affects the body’s circulatory system that the feet become far more vulnerable than they otherwise would be. What’s more, explains Boca Raton podiatrist Dr. Bret Ribotsky, “Because of the decreased circulation to the feet, diabetics can’t rely on their pain sensors to alert them that something might be wrong.” Therefore, any wound, skin irritation or other foot abnormality has the potential to mushroom into a dire situation if not caught early. Dr. Bret Ribotsky Diabetics should strongly consider wearing “compression” socks to aid their circulation (Dr. Ribotsky calls such footwear “bras for your feet”). They help prevent swelling in the feet, as well as the formation of varicose veins. Without the compression, edema and stretching of the skin can happen, and sometimes the skin tears, which can leave an ulceration that’s vulnerable to infection. Source: Palm Beach Post [4/19/12]

Don't think I have ever heard compression hose being referred as "bras for the feet"!! Leave it to a guy to coin that one, although quite accurate! Dr Blake

Support Hose: Always check for leg indentation!!

Knee High Socks that cut off fragile venous return of blood back to the heart.

If you have friends or family with support hose or compression socks to fight swelling, advise them of this problem. This indentation warns us that the compression is too great, and that it is probably worsening the problem. If the problem gets worse, the tightness of the next pair of socks ordered is normally tighter (and more uncomfortable),  and the medication used can get stronger. Both are bad scenarios for a simple to resolve situation. Experiment initially with several versions of support hose (Mediven, Jobst, Varin, Juzo are real common to find) to see if any work. If you are still struggling, try those that go just above the knee (thigh high). 

Closer look at the indentation left by a supposedly good fitting compression sock.



http://www.supporthosestore.com/mediven.html

Photo taken from Jobst ad in supporthosestore.com

Support Hose for Swollen Feet/Ankles: Common Problem

     When your feet and ankles begin to get swollen as you age, many are treated with support hose. The purpose of this post is only to tell you of one of the pitfalls. When the support hose begins to get loose, patients tend to fold them below the knee thus cutting off the circulation and making matters worse. Here are 2 photos showing first that the left side is stretched out too much. And secondly, the patient responded to the loose hose by folding it back on itself, cutting off the venous return to the heart. If you have any loved ones with support hose, make sure that their hose fits well, and when they remove them, their should not be a deep impression into the skin just below the knee.

 Here the left support hose is too loose and can be easily pulled above the knee compared to the right one.

 Here the patient fixes the situation with folding the support hose below the knee, thus cutting off the venous return to the heart.

A cloudy but inspiring San Francisco Sunset.