Question I'm a quadriplegic with limited use of my legs and just started wearing compression stockings a few weeks ago?
but they don't seem to be helping with the swelling in my feet and the temperature of the skin below my knees...I use a wheelchair and it's impossible to transfer out of it into a recliner to elevate my legs...should I try a different stocking ? should I forget the stockings altogether ? I could really use some professional help here please !

Best Answer mnw, as a quadriparetic there is going to be very limited use of the muscles of the legs. This is the reason for the fluid in the ankles. There are very few options available to you. You can use gradient hose but that would only help if they were applied when the swelling was at its lowest point. It would then help to keep the fluid out or at least reduced. What I would suggest is that at night or sometime during the day you have compression pump sleeves put on. The graduated type would be the best but any pumping system would be helpful. Once you have used that for a half to a full hour or so then have the compression hose applied. This would be the best way to control the problem. If you have the insurance that would cover products such a T.E.D. stockings get those. They are specifically measured for you and would be graded appropriately.

Question What are those things that the hospital put on your legs after surgery?
I had my appendix taken out and after surgery they put these cuffs on my legs to keep circulation going. They would fill up with air and squeeze my leg then release. Do you know what those are called? I would love some for me to use at home.

Best Answer Those are pneumatic compression devices for the leg. the idea behind these is the fact that a lot of venous blood gathers in your soleus (calf) muscle while you are bed ridden in the hospital, this blood may coagulate due to stagnancy and if a chop of this clotted blood disintegrates itself and travels up to clog some important artery, severe consequences may develop such as paralysis. hence the device compresses your leg and pushes lazy blood to work. commonly gradient compression stockings are used in hospitals, cheap and efficient. you must have been to an expensive hospital. you can find some of these devices on Amazon, but before you go buy them i want to give you 2 advices: they are not better than walking by any means. gradient compression stockings are cheaper and as efficient as the pneumatic devices, but i guess the devices feel better.