When an individual is recumbent, or bed-ridden, blood clots can form owing to impaired venous return. Blood clots are a high cause of death and illness in adults all over the world. A blood clot can journey to different parts of the body encircling the lungs or brain. A blood clot in the brain can even cause a stroke. Ted stockings put pressure on the leg muscles, eventually promoting venous return and preventing the appearance of blood clots.
I personally remember wearing them on my flight to Italy about three years ago. It was a 10 hour flight both ways and lord was I thankful to have worn Ted stockings then. They were so comfortable and I had no problems with my legs at all.
Ted stockings come in varied lengths and pressures. Medical professionals usually are the ones which determine if the patient requires knee-high or thigh-high stockings and the compression needed. I asked the pharmacist which was the right kind for me and my flight and he suggested I wore the thigh highs so I got a pair. A good quantity of Teds also have a hole in the toe area. This allows medical professionals to check the temperature, color, and pulse in the feet area.
What happens is that before Ted stockings are applied on the legs, a medical professional will evaluate the patient. The skin and circulation to the legs and feet will be checked. Once it is decided that the patient can use the Ted stockings, the medical professional will measure the legs to enumerate the proper size stockings. Each stocking will for that reason be applied by way of folding the leg partly inside-out to get the foot in, and thus slide the stocking up the leg. The stockings should be soft and fully outspread.
Ted Stockings are not for everyone. As a matter of fact, there are several circumstances when Ted stockings should not be used at all. If you have skin conditions such as dermatitis, open sores and gangrene you should not wear them. Ted stockings should also not be used if you have a serious vascular disease and may not be used in the case of excessive swelling of the legs.
When wearing Ted stockings, the legs cannot be massaged or crossed. If sitting, the legs have to be elevated as much as possible. I was lucky enough to have my legs elevated as I was in first class and has some room space.
To sum up, if you need stockings for a long trip you might want to consider wearing Ted stockings.... it saved my life!
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