Sunday, 16 March 2025

Silk stockings?

 

Silk stockings?

Compression stockings do look rather like the silk stockings that were worn on special occasions by Regency ladies in Jane Austen’s time. That lady reportedly prized silk stockings above those made from the more usual cotton or wool, preferring to have fewer stockings, so that those she did own could be of superior quality. It is said that she even washed them herself, not trusting them to the possibly rougher handling of a professional washerwoman.

Today, silk stockings are available at a cost of between £5.99 and £34.00. Most women probably opt for nylons these days, but what do I know? I’m not ‘most women’ and have no right to speak for others.

 I try to kid myself that compression stockings are attractive as well as functional, but fail miserably. It really doesn’t matter, as no-one sees them but me. Well, my husband sees them when he hauls them off me before I have a shower.

Barry would be the first to admit that nursing is not his natural forte. He is very encouraging, but not the sort to mop a fevered brow, though I must admit that approach would drive me insane. He is sympathetic, but robust and practical, a ‘fresh air would do you a power of good’ sort of person. To be honest, that’s my attitude, too, as well as, ‘Have you drunk enough water today?’

If removing the stockings is taxing, putting them back on is a trial of an entirely different kind. We tried the plastic bag system, whereby the foot is encased in a carrier bag and the stocking is eased over the top. The idea is that then the bag can be pulled away from the toe end, which is open, and the rest of the garment can be pulled up to the knee. Carrier bags are awfully thin these days and tear very easily. We abandoned that method.

Talcum powder was tried. Everything smelt beautiful, but the stocking remained fairly immovable.

Finally, brute force was used. The stocking was rolled down to the extremity of the garment, stretched as widely as possible, then fed over the toes and eventually over the heel. Barry wondered why I was yelping, until I told him his knuckles were very hard. He understood when he saw the bruise on my little toe, bless him.

Meanwhile, I am making haste slowly. To anyone facing surgery I would advise making sure you have an excellent physiotherapist. My surgeon was superb, and enjoyed the challenge my back presented – it was much tougher than he expected, and he was almost rubbing his hands with glee as he told me that - but, in common with most surgeons, once his part was done, recovery was my problem.  The physiotherapists understand the reality and bemoan the fact that surgeons don’t see the long post-operative process.

My physio, Liz, is a sports physiotherapist, married to an ex-professional rugby player, and she’s wonderful – encouraging, with a pleasing sense of humour, masses of commonsense, and a wealth of experience. She and my surgeon know each other well, and she recommended him to me.

Liz was Barry’s physio, too. When he had his knees replaced eight years ago, it was our dentist who recommended the surgeon, and that was an excellent fit, too. The medical world is a small one, indeed.

55 comments:

  1. I have only worn compression socks on long flights and I know what a bugger they can be to put on so I sympathise with you having to wear them every day. More applause for your Barry!

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    1. By the end of six weeks I may manage to put them on myself!

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  2. Those socks are so much effort, both going on and coming off!

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    1. If I had to put them on myself, they either would not go on or, once on, would never come off! It doesn't bear thinking about!

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  3. Fun description of getting those darn compression socks of. You're lucky you have a partner. Here, home nurses drop in to do the job when people don't have a spouse.

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    1. I guess that's what would have happened here.

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  4. I remember compression stockings from when I had varicose vein removal back in the early 80s. I didn't find them too awkward, though it was summer and they were hot to wear. I still have some varicose veins and probably should still wear some compression stockings or socks, but since being retired I just lie down with my feet up for a while each day. I did wear compression socks while I worked at the checkout for 12 years and they do help. I hope your recovery continues to go well and you can soon retire those stockings.
    I have never seen silk stockings, only nylons.

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    1. I shall have to persevere with them for another couple of weeks. I might actually be able to put them on by myself then.😁

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  5. You'd think that with all the things mankind has done, someone could invent either a different stocking or a means of putting them on that would be easier than this! Hopefully it won't be too long before you won't need them anymore.

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    1. I don't think the stocking 'putter-ons' that are available would be sufficient for these. Not to worry, not much longer!

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  6. I remember reading this... https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/29/i-am-cursed-to-wear-compression-socks-spare-a-thought-for-me-this-summer

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    1. Thank you for that link. It made me laugh.
      Mine have to stay on all the time!

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  7. You can use an applicator to don the stocking on and off. It can be purchased from any pharmacy

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    1. I know my mother-in-law had something similar for donning tights.

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  8. Post surgery, I've always disliked 'fuss'. Thank you. If I need something, I will ask you. Cloying care was understood by Ray, and he never indulged in it and would not have wanted it himself. He only complained once when I asked for a proper cup of coffee from the hospital cafe, so he went to get it and had to go through the Covid screening process again to return with my coffee. In the future, he bought the coffee first. Like your Barry, Ray could be a little rough until a problem was pointed out to him.
    Would I take on a dentist's recommendation for an orthopaedic surgeon? I have to think on that one.
    I am pleased you are doing well and have a good carer.

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    1. Our dentist is very helpful. He even recommended a chiropractor he uses. Don't think I'll take that up.
      I smiled at the coffee - bless Ray.

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  9. Well, I think your stockings look rather fetching.
    I am trying to imagine P helping me to get in and out of those...nope...not happening.

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    1. They could be worse, I suppose, and they are nice and warm in these recently chilly days.

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  10. The one time I had to wear those horrible stockings they brought me out in a rash, so next time I refused - much too itchy.
    Keep on keeping on!

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    1. That was a nasty reaction. I do wonder how necessary they really are.

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  11. Fortunately I have not had to wear those delightful stockings but I know my mum had too wear them and she was in her 90's. What a game that was - not! She would definitely sympathise with you.
    Have a good day and I hope the physio is starting to help with recovery.

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    1. Steering clear of them is the best idea, by far.

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  12. I had to wear those stockings once, while recovering from an anaesthetic. All I can remember is that they were really hot - in the thermal sense, not the style sense! :-) xx

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  13. I hate those stocking with a passion, both hubby and I have had to wear them, I think the nurses are taught a magic trick to get them on you so easily. I'm glad you are feeling good.

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    1. I remember putting them on Barry after each of his knee replacements. Such fun!

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  14. It's certainly sounds like a struggle to get these things off and on. I've never had the pleasure of having to use them and I can say I imagine it would not be much of a pleasure at all. Glad you feel confident in your surgeon.

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  15. Hope you don't have to wear them much longer, we have both had bouts with them and I have really bad varicose veins, they are so horrbile I chose the put my feet above my heart 3 times a day and propping them on a stool when sitting.

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    1. Poor you. Varicose veins can be a real trial.

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  16. Oh yes, I remember only too well the palaver of getting those stockings on. Glad to hear you're on the mend.

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  17. Have never been a user……not having had to and after reading about them over the years I certainly wouldn’t choose to wear them….unless I had to!
    And with the referral system you’ve been using it sounds like a case of not what you knew but who you knew…..who knew where to point you

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  18. Holding on to a sense of humour is sometimes the best aid ;-) and at least you seem to have that ability intact! There may also be technical aids to be found that might work a bit better than a plastic bag, though. But I suppose your physiotherapist would know about that.

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    1. If I had to wear them permanently, I would look into aids, but I'm more than half-way through now, so will stick it out. 😂

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  19. For anyone required to wear compression stockings for any length of time I can recommend Helping Hands. This device has made putting on my stockings so much easier. It was demonstrated to me by the nurse at the Surgery who used it for all her patients.

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    1. I looked at those. If I had to wear them forever, I would get one of those aids.

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  20. Been there with the compression socks, we used a plastic freezer bag as it was strong. good luck with the physio.

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    1. Necessity is the mother of invention! 😂

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  21. You must be doing better, to be writing again. I agree the medical world is a small one. My physio was recommended by an earlier doctor, and the physio is familiar with the work of my surgeon. I think the good ones know each other and steer patients away from iffy practitioners.

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  22. You're absolutely right. They're too professional to criticise openly, but know the best fit.

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  23. Hi Janice - those socks were an embarrassment for me when I had my hip done ... my family weren't much good - thankfully a friend inveigled her husband into helping me ... poor chap!! But he can't resist her being so caring and helpful to friends - I was lucky. So I do understand. I've just had a quick A&E visit ...and all around was v lucky ... ambulance arrived v quickly ... I hadn't broken anything ... but in a patient bed within an hour, I was there longer than they or I expected - but I did get let out later in the day! - so now things can progress. I'm just glad you're improving slowly - better that way probably ... a nuisance, but at least moving along. With thoughts - cheers Hilary

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    1. I'm sorry to hear you've been in the wars, Hilary. I hope all is well. Take care.

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  24. Depending on the strength of the compression, you can get pretty compression stockings at https://viasox.com/collections/compression-socks

    Also, if Barry is helping you to put the "silk" stockings on, tell him to make sure your seams are straight. 😉Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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    1. Thank you for the link, CJ. They are rather jolly, aren't they?
      I'm glad the days of 'seams' are long gone!

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  25. When my back spasms on me, i have a deuce of a time getting my socks on, so the compression socks must be a trial and a half. I hope you can sleep with them on and avoid some dressings and undressings.

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    1. BTW, i wanted to wonder if any ladies wear nylons these days. Is it still a thing for some?

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    2. That's exactly the question that I had! I wondered if you can still buy them. I have never had to wear them for any length of time, but I've assisted people who have and they are a trial. I saw an advertisement for zip up compression stockings, and the first thing that I thought was that there would be an awful lot of skin pinching getting them zipped, and don't you think the zipper would be extremely uncomfortable? Ack!

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  26. I sympathise with the back spasms - not fun at any time.
    I suppose some people still wear nylons, complete with suspender belts. Otherwise, it's tights or hold-ups or knee highs.
    Zip-up compression stockings would be awful, I think.

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  27. I had no idea compression stockings were so difficult to put on and take off! I mean, I knew they were tight, but holy cow...

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  28. Both times I had me knee replacement operations the compression socks were a deep bottle green a very unattractive colour. As the first time was in the winter they were covered by trousers. But the second time it was summer so long shorts were the order of the day, I felt like an alien.
    Hope your recovery goes well.
    Jane

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  29. Don't talk to me about compression stockings! I need a lie down after getting them on Husband!

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  30. Hubby wore compression socks when he broke his ankle in 2023. He somehow managed to get them on and off by himself (thank goodness).

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  31. Jos and I know from experience that compression socks are a pain in the you know what. We had some success with talcum powder, but it didn't always work. I'm guessing silk stockings are quite a bit easier to put on :-) xxx

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