As a nurse, you know what it’s like to be on your feet all day. According to a recent study sponsored by SIGVARIS, maker of compression therapy leg ware, wearing compression socks can reduce pain and swelling during long shifts. The Assistant Vice President of Medical Affairs, Dr. Mary Foscue, led the study at the Sacred Heart Health System located in Pensacola, Florida. Thirty-one nurse participants were willing to try out the compression socks to put an end to the tired, achy legs caused by 12-hour shifts.
The nurses were asked to keep a daily log of the number of hours they worked, the amount of time they spent on their feet, and any additional information describing symptoms throughout their shift, including swollen ankles, enlarged veins, or discoloration of the skin. If there were any issues with swelling, the nurses measured and documented how swollen their legs appeared to be.
In the end, the compression socks study seemed to be a success. Out of the 31 nurse participants, 84% noticed they had less pain throughout their shifts, and 74% had decreased swelling in their legs after using the socks. SIGVARIS recommends nurses take action sooner rather than later if they are in pain. If not, they may experience more pain in the future.
Visit www.sigvaris.com to learn more about compression therapy.
