An operation is a great stress for the body. Surgical intervention is always followed by a long recovery period, which includes medication and physical therapy, bed rest and the use of anti-embolic underwear. The latter is a mandatory preventive measure for clogging of arteries with blood clots and the formation of thromboses of the cardiovascular circulatory system of the human body. Learn how and how much to wear compression stockings after surgery, what is their effect, how to choose the right postoperative underwear, find out in the article.
Purpose of compression stockings
Antiembolic stockings are the type of hospital compression knitwear that is used after operations involving interventions in the functioning of internal organs, the functioning of the lower extremities, the musculoskeletal joint, as well as during childbirth and cesarean section.
The main task of anti-embolic underwear is to protect blood vessels and veins from the formation of blood clots in them. Without timely treatment of the latter, as a result of a violation of the nutrition processes of tissues and organs, the development of tissue necrosis is possible.
Classification of compression stockings
The answer to the question: "How much to wear compression stockings after surgery?" - hiding in the existing "classes" of anti-embolic underwear. So, the purpose of use determines the division of the latter into four classes:
I degree of compression. This type of underwear is often called daily: it is acceptable to wear stockings on a daily basis at the initial stages of venous disease, during pregnancy, edema or a feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities, and is used to recover from surgical operations.
The second degree of compression is intended for future mothers suffering from varicose veins of the second stage or surviving severe injuries of the lower extremities. It is prescribed during the recovery postoperative period.
The use of anti-embolic underwear of compression class III is recommended for patients who want to prevent blood clots and accelerate the healing of ulcers.
Antithrombotic jersey of the IV degree of compression is used after heavy operations, when the patient has a long period of observance of bed rest. Doctors often prescribe this class of stockings to patients with severe varicose veins and impaired lymphatic outflow.
Regardless of the type of compression underwear, consultation with your doctor is recommended: only he can prescribe the optimal therapy, determining how many days to wear compression stockings after surgery.
Recommendations for use
The main advantages of wearing compression stockings are the outflow of blood from the veins, the elimination of edema and the prevention of blood clots. An increase in blood viscosity and its loss in large quantities, a decrease in pressure are symptoms observed during and after surgical operations, as well as characteristic of a number of diseases.
So, the wearing of anti-embolic underwear is assigned to the category of patients with diseases such as, for example, varicose veins, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and clotting pathologies. The use of compression stockings is recommended for women in position, as well as for elderly people.
How much to wear compression stockings after surgery
As noted above, compression knitwear can be divided into four categories, depending on the degree of pressure exerted by it on the body area. In addition, there are 3 types of anti-embolic underwear, which is prescribed by the doctor according to the disease developing in the patient. Thus, the period of time to wear compression stockings after surgery is determined by the medical professional.
Terms of wearing compression underwear
The use of hospital linen is common among patients suffering from serious injuries and diseases, forcing them to observe bed rest. This type of stocking should be used in an exclusively horizontal position. How much to wear compression stockings after surgery ? Of course, you should obey the instructions of your doctor. Removal of hospital stockings should occur at least 24 hours after surgery. In case there was a surgical intervention on the veins, the period of wearing underwear should last at least 3 days.
Medical knitwear is recommended to be worn after a few days after the operation, when the patient will be available to physical actions associated with independent lifting from a lying position, sitting, walking. Its compression effect is designed for a person with low physical activity. At the same time, there is no clear timeline for how much to wear compression stockings after surgery : in this matter, you should focus on factors such as:
degree of complexity and type of operation;
the state of health of the patient after surgery;
human lifestyle;
the presence of chronic diseases;
age.
Preventive knitwear (first degree of compression) is extremely rarely used in postoperative recovery. More often, such stockings are worn for preventive purposes.
During laparoscopic operations, the duration of wearing compression-fit jerseys is on average 1 to 4 weeks. How much to wear compression stockings after abdominal surgery ? From 1 to 2 months. It should be noted that patients who have undergone sclerotomy or phlebectomy, the terms of wearing anti-embolic underwear should be extended to four months or six months.
Compression & Sports
For people who prefer an active lifestyle, but have undergone surgical intervention, sports compression knitwear should be used during physical exertion.
How much time to wear compression stockings after surgery , if there is a need to exercise in parallel? Answer: at least a year.
How to care for anti-embolic underwear
The faithful service of compression stockings largely depends on how carefully the owner will treat them. So, despite the fact that the compression effect provided by a hosiery can last from 4 to 9 months, improper care of knitwear can lead to a reduction in the life of the stockings. The product should be washed in warm water exclusively in the manual βmodeβ. The drying process should be natural: on the floor in expanded form. The use of heating elements in order to speed up the drying process is not permissible!
We put on stockings correctly
Compression stockings have a full effect on the risk zone only if the clothes are properly worn. The procedure for putting on medical knitwear is as follows: in the morning, without getting up from a bed or bed in a hospital, having previously removed the jewelry on the fingers and toes, collect the stocking in an accordion. Put your hand in the hole of the product, and then put the stocking on the foot, fixing it tightly in the fingers and heels. Gradually pull the stocking to the ankles or hips, if necessary, stretch the product higher. The procedure for pulling compression stockings is greatly facilitated by the use of silk socks or gloves.
Also an integral device in the process of putting on linen among patients suffering from obesity is a butler, designed to simplify the procedure for placing the stocking on the leg.
Doctors recommend wearing clothes made from compression hosiery not only for people who have undergone various operations, but this product will be a real friend to those whose lifestyle is characterized by such features as wearing high heels, spending most of the day in a sitting position, severe load on the lower limbs. By the way, compression underwear is rightfully considered to be a universal preventive measure of varicose veins, edema, severity and pain in the legs among representatives of not only the female, but the male. Health has no gender boundaries!
People who are forced to use compression underwear due to their health characteristics respond positively to knitwear that improves blood circulation: they note that the health effects of stockings occur during the first days of wearing. Comfort, harmony and endurance of the legs - this is what hosiery from compression hosiery gives to those who use this type of medical underwear.
The main thing is to give preference to products made from natural fabrics in your choice, to choose an option with the optimal pressure category and the required size (it is recommended to solve a similar issue at the consultation of your doctor) and follow the rules for wearing anti-embolic underwear.