Your doctor may ask you to wear compression stockings before surgery and to continue wearing them during your hospital stay. This factsheet provides some information and advice about why it's important to wear compression stockings and how to take care of them.
There are different types of compression stockings available, so it's important to follow your doctor's advice and read the manufacture's guidelines.
What are compression stockings?
Compression stockings (also called TED or thrombo-embolic deterrent stockings) are usually worn to help maintain circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). For more information, please see the separate Bupa health factsheet, Deep vein thrombosis.
Certain risk factors make DVT more likely to occur, such as being over 40, overweight or if you have a family or personal history of DVT. Other factors that increase the risk of DVT are listed here.
* Prolonged bed rest (reduced mobility).
* Surgery - especially if it lasts more than 30 minutes, or involves the leg joints or pelvis.
* Certain medicines - such as the contraceptive pill or HRT, can cause the blood to clot more easily.
* Pregnancy and childbirth - hormonal changes during pregnancy make the blood clot more easily and also the added pressure on the veins of the pelvis can increase the risk of DVT. There is also risk of injury to veins during delivery or a caesarean. The risk is high just after childbirth.
Read more here
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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