Interviews
Compression socks reduces swelling during long shifts for nurses
25 Mar '11
2 min read
Many people everyday experience tired, achy legs because they work in occupations where they stand all day. Healthcare workers are no exception.
SIGVARIS, the global leader in graduated compression therapy, recently sponsored a study of 31 nurses conducted by Dr. Mary Foscue, assistant vice president of medical affairs at the Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Fla. The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not graduated compression socks provide relief from tired, achy legs among nurses who work long shifts. Each nurse involved in the study worked 12-hour shifts on a regular basis.
The participants each kept a daily diary recording the number of hours they worked and a detailed log recording the amount of time they were on their feet verses sitting. Each nurse also recorded information about swollen ankles, small or large vein issues and any discoloration of the skin. The nurses were taught how to measure the swelling in their leg using a tibia, a device that checks for baseline swelling.
Each nurse was given several pairs of over-the-counter 15-20mmHg knee-high graduated compression socks. Prior to wearing the compression stockings, the most common symptoms nurses reported included leg fatigue and tiredness or achiness in their legs.
Approximately 84 percent of the participants said they noticed a symptomatic improvement in leg health. In addition to these findings, 74 percent of the nurses who participated in the study said they saw a decrease in the swelling of their legs after wearing compression stockings.
“This study once again confirms the fact that people who stand or sit for long periods of time experience less achiness in their legs by wearing graduated compression stockings and socks,” says Judith Brannan, Medical Education & Affairs Manager for SIGVARIS. “Many published studies show that people often miss work because of problems with their lower extremities. We feel that it is imperative to educate nurses about the importance of wearing graduated compression socks because, not only will they be able to experience a difference in their own lives, but they will also be able to educate their patients about the value of wearing medical compression stockings.”
SIGVARIS, the global leader in graduated compression therapy, recently sponsored a study of 31 nurses conducted by Dr. Mary Foscue, assistant vice president of medical affairs at the Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Fla. The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not graduated compression socks provide relief from tired, achy legs among nurses who work long shifts. Each nurse involved in the study worked 12-hour shifts on a regular basis.
The participants each kept a daily diary recording the number of hours they worked and a detailed log recording the amount of time they were on their feet verses sitting. Each nurse also recorded information about swollen ankles, small or large vein issues and any discoloration of the skin. The nurses were taught how to measure the swelling in their leg using a tibia, a device that checks for baseline swelling.
Each nurse was given several pairs of over-the-counter 15-20mmHg knee-high graduated compression socks. Prior to wearing the compression stockings, the most common symptoms nurses reported included leg fatigue and tiredness or achiness in their legs.
Approximately 84 percent of the participants said they noticed a symptomatic improvement in leg health. In addition to these findings, 74 percent of the nurses who participated in the study said they saw a decrease in the swelling of their legs after wearing compression stockings.
“This study once again confirms the fact that people who stand or sit for long periods of time experience less achiness in their legs by wearing graduated compression stockings and socks,” says Judith Brannan, Medical Education & Affairs Manager for SIGVARIS. “Many published studies show that people often miss work because of problems with their lower extremities. We feel that it is imperative to educate nurses about the importance of wearing graduated compression socks because, not only will they be able to experience a difference in their own lives, but they will also be able to educate their patients about the value of wearing medical compression stockings.”
Sigvaris Inc
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