An 83 Year Old Physician's Own Compression Stocking Technique

A Physician’s Personal Donning Technique

An 83 year old physician who wears compression stockings daily for venous insufficiency uses a toe cap to protect a hammer toe, rolls the stocking down to find the heel by feel, then gently rocks the foot back and forth while pulling the stocking into place without bending over.

Removing the Stocking Without Bending

To remove the stocking, he rolls it down over the heel, then uses a shoehorn like appliance placed carefully against the skin and pushed down over the heel, pulling the foot back to slip the stocking off easily.

An Alternate Method for Patients Who Struggle

For patients unable to manage a full compression stocking, he demonstrated a low compression liner, easily slipped over the foot after finding the heel, which a caregiver can help apply while the patient sits on the edge of a bed.

Adjustable Velcro Compression Over the Liner

Over the liner, an adjustable Velcro strap device is applied from the foot upward and tightened or loosened as swelling changes through the day, offering total control, with 20 to 30 millimeter pressure noted as adequate for most patients with swelling.