How to put on surgical stockings

TED Hose

TED hose, also known as Thrombo-Embolic Deterrent Hose are worn by those who are not ambulatory (confined to bed or a wheelchair) and post-surgically to prevent blooding of blood, which can lead to a clot. These hose have the highest compression level at the calf, which is where blood tends to pool in the non-ambulatory. The compression level is at or below 20 mmHg (millimeters of Mercury.)

Age

Older people frequently have poor circulation and benefit from compression hosiery. When blood circulation is meager, cells are robbed of oxygen and nutrients. If a person already has poor circulation when he starts wearing gradient socks, the hosiery slows down the advancement of this condition. Pregnant women benefit from wearing  this hosiery.

Circulatory Problems

Individuals want, and need to, avoid edema (swelling,) deep vein thrombosis and phlebitis. When swelling occurs, fluid gathers in tissue or a body cavity. A person may have pitting edema, which means indentations from pressure or even from socks show up in the part of the blood that is swollen, or non-pitting edema, where there is no indentation created in the skin as a result of swelling.

Phlebitis, another condition, refers to an inflamed vein. Thrombosis is the result of a blood clot that creates an obstruction. Clots take place when blood congeals, becoming a gummy mass inside an artery or vein. When a clot splits from an artery or vein it travels through the body and this can prove fatal.

If a person is a frequent flier or is at risk for blood clots, socks of this nature are imperative. The compression allows blood to move freely and deeper which makes blood clotting less likely. Blood clots can be deadly. Hosiery of this nature is worn by those with debilitated veins, who need to counteract the force of gravity on compromised veins.