A Whole Different Flavor of TEDS

[dw6928]

I was using the wrong type of TEDS (below the knee which acts like a tourniquet on TKR patients). I spoke with my OS and he prescribed an over the thigh TEDS which is measured (ankle, calf, thigh and length) and has a graduated compression of 20-30. It was brutal to put on but the results are nothing short of remarkable. My ankle and top of foot was very swollen and that swelling is diminished by 75% in the first 6 hours. The only down side is the cost: $85! but I suspect it will be worth it. I wish I had gone this route on the first TKR

 

[RickB]

dw6928,

Sorry but you paid way to much for your TEDs. Since I have to wear these things until Oct. I needed to purchase a couple more. Good ole Wal-Mart has
them for under $30 per pair. These are white thigh high.

Rick

 

[dw6928]

Rick, that is a whole different kind of TEDS and they were available at the surgical supply store for about $30. These require a physician's prescription for compression strength in 3 places (ankle, calf and thigh) and are in the high 70s to mid 80s even on internet sites. Believe me I wish I could have used the $30
version but I needed it to be very intense at the ankle and foot level. Thanks for you input however.

 

[RickB]

dw6928,

Thanks, I learn something, I hate these horrible TEDs!!!!!!!!!

Rick

 

[dw6928]

Agreed. With these. peeling them off is like removing a 2nd skin. It is actually painful. But the ecstasy once they are off. And do they work.

 

[Josephine]

I'd actually get claustrophobic with them! (Though that's not difficult for me!) They are such a struggle to get off - but so worth it to wear them. When having them put on in hospital, the nurse used a plastic bag over my foot to help them slide on more easily. Wish you could to something similar when taking them off!

 

[Simon]

Wow, I wish I had that information earlier. In the hospital my TEDS came below the knee and even on the inpatient rehab floor they did move up 1 size but that only got them to just about above the knee (but they moved down). They said I had long legs and they didn't have any longer ones and these are hitting shorter because the knee/leg was so swollen from surgery (the OS really had to fight to get the TKA in due to prior surgery). You are right about the tourniquet feel. I did get relief 1 day when the nurse notice that they had actually cut the skin open.

My OT (occupational therapist) gave me a neat aid that helped get them on and another to get them as well as pants off. It is a long stick with a hook type thing on it. It worked.

Good luck and glad you got the problem solved.

Simon

 

[Josephine]

I did get relief 1 day when the nurse notice that they had actually cut the skin open.

Well, bully for her! If only she'd been a tad more observant she could have seen how tight it was BEFORE it cut the skin.

Rule 1 of nursing: be OBSERVANT!

Amazing how many nurses these days aren't ...

 

[dw6928]

dw6928,

Sorry but you paid way to much for your TEDs. Since I have to wear these things until Oct. I needed to purchase a couple more. Good ole Wal-Mart has
them for under $30 per pair. These are white thigh high.

Rick

Rick, I just saw the $30 TEDS at our local CVS (of course they were $40 at CVS not $30 like Walmart). They are a generic, one size fits all with no compression settings which I needed. I am sure that for some people they would do just fine.

 

[RickB]

dw6928,

The ones I purchased at wally-world are pretty much the same as they put on me in the hospital. They all are the same putting on and taking off. The only thing I know abouts these TEDs, is I HATE THEM!!!!!!!!

Rick

 

[dw6928]

agreed. putting them on before you get out of bed in the morning is absolutely horrible. my leg hurts enough w/o the pulling and fingers digging into my swollen calf and quad. but the bottom line is they do work and they will be put in a drawer very soon.