A Caregiver's Guide: Stockings
The patient may be asked to wear special stockings. By
compressing the veins in the legs, these stockings help keep swelling down and reduce the chance for blood clots. It’s important to make sure the patient remains comfortable:
- If swelling in the operative leg is bothersome, help the
patient elevate the leg for short periods throughout the day.
For best results, the patient should be lying down with the
leg raised above heart level. - Make sure the patient wears the stockings continuously,
removing them for one to two hours twice a day. - Notify the physician if the patient notices increased pain or
swelling in either leg.
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