10 replies to this topic

[millione]

I sit in my wheelchair sometimes for hours, and my ankles swell big time. What's the best remedy to keep the swelling down.

[JesseB]

i sit in my wheelchair for 10 or more hours a day.
no ancle swelling problems.


but, i guess get longer socks that go to your calfs and are fairly tight.

don't take my reply for granted though, i'm a "newbie" with this SCI stuff still.

[Unbreakable]

You know, I have the same problem. Been looking for solutions. I used to wear my T.E.D.S. socks all the time. I dunno, sometimes it seemed like they helped, but they are a real PITA to put on and deal with. My doc said the swelling was lymphatic fluid collecting in the lower extremities due to poor circulation below the level of injury. Anyone else got more to say?

[kdenon01]

My husband also wears the Tedhose. Really tight nylons. And they help, because his ankles also swell. You could try them...but like Unbreakable said...they are a pain in the butt to put on and take off.

[Manda]

When can we stop wearing ted hose??
I hate them,I po my mom cause if she isnt
here I get away without wearing them
Also, I sit for about 2 hrs. then put my feet up for
another 2,and so on.......

[nomis]

Take a break on the couch or bed with a book or laptop or find another way to raise your feet above your ears. I leave the creativity to you.

[ems]

My calfs and ankles are amlost hard at the end of a day. I've never really thought of doing anything about it. If my day is broken up with lots of transfrs, going out on my bike etc, it does go down a bit, but my sock marks are still there the next day <grin>. The only time it hinders me though is if in the evening I want to wear nice boots, Its almost impossible to get them on. Other than than that, it doesn't really matter to me.

[Scribbler]

I never had a problem with swollen ankles until about a year ago when it started with my left foot and ankle swelling; now both swell.

I'm usually sat up for around 14 or 15 hours, which doesn't help, but I'm certainly not going to succumb to going back on the bed; lifes too short, so I'll put up with the swollen ankles. Even if I sleep with my feet up, the swelling never goes down; its just another part of getting old, which I've accepted.

(Big Foot is alive and well!.... )

Scrib's

[Hapahowlee]

Most of the time when my husband's ankles are swollen, I know he ate too much salt. That's just him though.

Nomis has given you good advice that's helped my hubby. Just transferring to places other than your wheelchair and preferably places where you can elevate your legs and feet.

Mr. Hapa uses his standing frame at least every other day for about an hour. He's not elevating his legs/feet during this time, but I've noticed it helps on days he stands. He also uses a stationary bike that gets his legs moving to help with circulation. He transfers to the sofa, especially if we decide to watch a movie together. In our family room, we have a sectional with a recliner at each end and he either uses one of those or puts his feet up on the other part of the sectional. I often rub his legs and feet to keep that circulation going. He's been a quad for 23 years now and has never had a pressure sore and I always notice when I rub his feet and legs the color comes back right away, which is a good sign. Also, during the times he does transfer out of his chair, we usually hook him up to his neuro-muscular stimulator. I know with hubby, it seems when we hook it up to his legs it helps b/c it moves them and his legs are elevated during this process.

Would be good to try sitting somewhere other than your wheelchair. Something else I just remembered. Mr. Hapa will often cross one leg over the other and sit that way and sometimes rub his own feet and legs.

Is it feasible for you to transfer elsewhere during your day? The things I typed above are at times difficult for some to do. There are times when Mr. Hapa needs help on the stationary bike and I just sit on the floor and let him do most of the work and I'll give him an extra push or even just move his legs for him so I get exercise too. I don't know if you have someone to help you with some of these things. If not, you may be able to find someone who can.

I hope you find something that will work for you.
Take Care.

[Kwag_Myers]

I wear compression socks to keep the swelling down. I find that if I alternate between them and regular socks it works pretty well and I don't have to buy so many ('cause they ain't cheap). You can get them at any major drug store. Meijer's has the best price that we've found so far.

[carole338]

I find that elevating my legs and message help with swollen and cold ankles and feet. I try to elevate my legs every 4 to 6 hours if possible.