Swollen ankles and calves

[Fiches Mouser]

I gave up wearing flight socks because when they wrinkled they cause my ankles to end up with these deep ridges that took quite some time to even out. Super ugly.

I just wish they made them longer or tighter. I hate how they fall down. I prefer the DVT to be squeezed out.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I just wish they made them longer or tighter. I hate how they fall down. I prefer the DVT to be squeezed out.

I thought they were designed, when used correctly (right size etc), not to fall down? The ones I have don't. Although they do get a bit tighter after washing.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I thought they were designed, when used correctly (right size etc), not to fall down? The ones I have don't. Although they do get a bit tighter after washing.

I've only every had the one size in my amenity kits

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've only every had the one size in my amenity kits

Oh - I was talking about the actual compression socks - proper ones made by Scholl (and at least one other company IIRC). They have graduated elastics in the socks, greater pressure at the ankles and graduating less as you go up the leg. They are designed to stay like that to ensure blood flow (and no swelling).

You can buy them at chemists, about $20. They last a few flights, then you wash them to firm up the elastic again.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Oh - I was talking about the actual compression socks - proper ones made by Scholl (and at least one other company IIRC). They have graduated elastics in the socks, greater pressure at the ankles and graduating less as you go up the leg. They are designed to stay like that to ensure blood flow (and no swelling).

Ohhh I see! Well I've totally been missing out!

 

[Abdul_A350]

These are the ones I use:

Oh. Can't post a link.
[h=1]Icebreaker Lifestyle Compression
Ultra Lite OTC Sock Mens[/h]

 

[Steady]

Oh - I was talking about the actual compression socks - proper ones made by Scholl (and at least one other company IIRC).

Jobst is another brand

 

[Pushka]

I wore the knee length ones but they still gave me ugly ankle wrinkles.

 

[marki]

Fluid retention?

My feet, legs, hands and fingers sweel all the time. Took Lasix for a while but have since stopped taking it. On some days it's hard to get socks and shoes on. It can also be difficult to hold a golf club if fingers swollen.

JohnK get yourself checked out its not normal to do swollen. A Good Doctor / GP is required.

 

[marki]

My ankles, feet and calves swell all the time when flying which I've always put down to being stuck in Y

Mine usually go back to normal after a day or two, but I would definitely consider going to see a GP as the next steps to determine if it could be anything serious... Try doing some calf raises (stand flat foot, then up on your toes) as a bit of exercise to increase circulation in the area.

They call this a muscle pump and relies on intact vein valves.

 

[marki]

I gave up wearing flight socks because when they wrinkled they cause my ankles to end up with these deep ridges that took quite some time to even out. Super ugly.

Pushka you need them to be properly fitted ... Correct size , correct compression, and correctly applied. There are metal frames used for applying such socks.

They are not meant to cause deep ridges. That in itself is dangerous cutting off circulation and even leading to DVT.

 

[Milboo]

I have Jobst ones but custom made ones that don't have toes on them and have silicon banding at the top to make them stay up.

I went down this path after a trip to the US 5 years ago left me with ankles so swollen it was not funny. One ankle is worse than the other and it is the ankle I did a significant injury on in the past (it swells on hot days too) but both ankles have had numerous sprains (god bless 2 decades of netball).

 

[Pushka]

Pushka you need them to be properly fitted ... Correct size , correct compression, and correctly applied. There are metal frames used for applying such socks.

They are not meant to cause deep ridges. That in itself is dangerous cutting off circulation and even leading to DVT.

Thats what I figured too.

It improved greatly once I got back into gym class. And the last couple of times I've been fine - Flying J. Clearly this is now required as a medical necessity but does show what gravity does!

 

[katiebell]

As stated above, the OP needs to see a good GP. Swelling this long post-flight needs proper assessment as it may indicate a medical issue.

For the record on DVT diagnosis: US can never rule out/exclude a DVT, it can diagnose it but is not 100% sensitive, especially for calf vein DVT: D-dimer blood test is more senistive in excluding DVT. A venogram is a much more sensitive test than US and remains the radiology gold standard although rarely done these days.

 

[Princess Fiona]

As stated above, the OP needs to see a good GP. Swelling this long post-flight needs proper assessment as it may indicate a medical issue.

For the record on DVT diagnosis: US can never rule out/exclude a DVT, it can diagnose it but is not 100% sensitive, especially for calf vein DVT: D-dimer blood test is more senistive in excluding DVT. A venogram is a much more sensitive test than US and remains the radiology gold standard although rarely done these days.

I've never ordered a venogram in my life and I doubt I ever will.

In practice there are issues caused by the liberal use of D-dimer testing in the absence of appropriate risk stratification

100% agree that the OP should seek medical advice in person from his/her GP.

 

[Mooch]

If you ever have surgery and have to wear compression socks - keep them!! They're measured for you and are excellent quality. Great for flying. The hospital will just ditch them if you leave them. The tea lady forced me to take mine lol.

 

[Abdul_A350]

I want to second or third the above advice if I can do so without sounding patronising.

Recursive, yes, but the best medical advice I have ever seen on the internet is "don't seek medical advice on the internet".

 

[katiebell]

I've never ordered a venogram in my life and I doubt I ever will.

In practice there are issues caused by the liberal use of D-dimer testing in the absence of appropriate risk stratification

100% agree that the OP should seek medical advice in person from his/her GP.

The liberal use of US 'to rule out DVT' also causes issues, including false reassurance. You may never have referred a patient for a venogram but it remains the gold standard and far more accurate in ruling out DVT. We are, however, drifting off topic.

 

[cove]

In my carry on I have a Resmed sleep apnea machine, anginine spray and tablets, lasix and dvt medication as well as travel stockings. Have never had to use anything but the compression stockings and the sleep apnea machine on long haul flights and would like it to stay that way. I do drink water on those very long flights.
Often I get into a swimming pool to get the crinks out of my body after being on a long haul flight for many hours. Raising your legs 90 degrees by putting your body by a wall seems to be effective.

 

[JohnK]

Oh - I was talking about the actual compression socks - proper ones made by Scholl (and at least one other company IIRC). They have graduated elastics in the socks, greater pressure at the ankles and graduating less as you go up the leg. They are designed to stay like that to ensure blood flow (and no swelling).

You can buy them at chemists, about $20. They last a few flights, then you wash them to firm up the elastic again.

I was prescribed Jobst socks to help the swelling close to 20 years ago. Wore them a few times. I could not handle the deep cut just below the knee everytime I wore them.