Sock recommendations for wide calf / swollen feet / poor circulation?
August 7, 2024 6:56 AM Subscribe
My very elderly great-aunt has age-related circulation issues and also spends most of her time sitting now. Consequently, her feet and calves are swollen most of the time, and she has deep indentations in her legs at the tops of her socks. We bought a brand of sock recommended for diabetes and wide calves a few months ago, but they've already started to fall apart.
Please share your recommendations for durable, comfortable, low-binding, wide-calf socks! Ankle socks probably aren't an option, but mid-calf or below the knee are fine. And thank you in advance!
durable, comfortable, low-binding, wide-calf socks
Just to clarify - is what you're looking for a sock to help reduce the swelling in her legs, or is it just a sock she can wear without causing skin irritation?
posted by anastasiav at 7:13 AM on August 7
Just to clarify - is what you're looking for a sock to help reduce the swelling in her legs, or is it just a sock she can wear without causing skin irritation?
posted by anastasiav at 7:13 AM on August 7
Response by poster: Just to clarify - is what you're looking for a sock to help reduce the swelling in her legs, or is it just a sock she can wear without causing skin irritation?
Just a sock she can wear without causing skin irritation and without the severe indentation / pain at the top of the sock.
There are Reasons why she cannot wear compression socks.
posted by Silvery Fish at 7:19 AM on August 7
Just a sock she can wear without causing skin irritation and without the severe indentation / pain at the top of the sock.
There are Reasons why she cannot wear compression socks.
posted by Silvery Fish at 7:19 AM on August 7
Tubigrip size guide These Tubigrips were what the hospital used on our 90+ elder when she had swelling issues. They are nice in that they have an open design so the toes can be left free, no elastic band; they are all cotton/elastic tube, with a high cotton content that is more comfortable on the skin, and you can cut them to any size you want. They do eventually make a sort of ruffle at the top and bottom, but they are still functional and stay in place. They are much, much less expensive than conventional compression socks. They can also be fit to the arm. I used to put a Tubigrip on her arm when she was "picking" and opening her skin up due to dementia. Anyway, they may be a useful option for you.
posted by effluvia at 7:25 AM on August 7
posted by effluvia at 7:25 AM on August 7
no elastic band
Yeah, I don't have specific product recommendations but I try to go for socks that don't have a narrow band at the top. Even a wide band (like at least 4-5 cm) might work, but the narrow ones often tend to indent in my experience.
If the reason she doesn't want ankle or no-show socks happens to be that they slide down as she walks, these days there are socks with silicone strips at the heel that really don't slide down at all.
posted by trig at 7:52 AM on August 7
Yeah, I don't have specific product recommendations but I try to go for socks that don't have a narrow band at the top. Even a wide band (like at least 4-5 cm) might work, but the narrow ones often tend to indent in my experience.
If the reason she doesn't want ankle or no-show socks happens to be that they slide down as she walks, these days there are socks with silicone strips at the heel that really don't slide down at all.
posted by trig at 7:52 AM on August 7
I really like the sockwell relaxed fit/diabetic socks. I haven't tried but like the look of wide open socks.
posted by mcgsa at 8:10 AM on August 7
posted by mcgsa at 8:10 AM on August 7
Look at Tubular bandages. They are available for compression but also without compression and in various width. Basically it is a very long sock without toe or top. You cut off the length you need and put them on like oldfashioned stockings: you gather the piece of tube over your hand and slip it over the toes and then pull them up.
My mother could not wear compression stockings or any restricting items in her feet and legs, due to her medical condition but wanted the feeling of socks / knee socks and these fabric tubes were what worked. There maybe some trial and error for width and you will need to find what is best re the toes. My mother preferred the toes looking out. But you can also pull them over the toes and fold in top of the toes and keep in place with (medical) tape. Under the toes is not good i found because of the bulky feeling.
posted by 15L06 at 9:08 AM on August 7
My mother could not wear compression stockings or any restricting items in her feet and legs, due to her medical condition but wanted the feeling of socks / knee socks and these fabric tubes were what worked. There maybe some trial and error for width and you will need to find what is best re the toes. My mother preferred the toes looking out. But you can also pull them over the toes and fold in top of the toes and keep in place with (medical) tape. Under the toes is not good i found because of the bulky feeling.
posted by 15L06 at 9:08 AM on August 7
You may well already be doing this, so apologies if this advice is redundant:
Whatever socks you get, don't put them in the dryer. They will last much longer if you let them hang to dry.
posted by Pallas Athena at 10:39 AM on August 7
Whatever socks you get, don't put them in the dryer. They will last much longer if you let them hang to dry.
posted by Pallas Athena at 10:39 AM on August 7
Temporary solution until you get the socks you order - we used to add a vertical cut at the top of my late mother's old socks, so they wouldn't cause pressure on her legs.
(you probably know this but saying just in case: raising her legs during the day helps. could be on a stool. could be having a mid-day nap.
also, as much foot activity as possible to increase blood flow, helps. especially point and flex of the foot. could be done when lying down too
If she's like my mother, then her feet are swollen too. We got her very sized up adjustable open toe slippers like these )
posted by mirileh at 12:22 AM on August 10
(you probably know this but saying just in case: raising her legs during the day helps. could be on a stool. could be having a mid-day nap.
also, as much foot activity as possible to increase blood flow, helps. especially point and flex of the foot. could be done when lying down too
If she's like my mother, then her feet are swollen too. We got her very sized up adjustable open toe slippers like these )
posted by mirileh at 12:22 AM on August 10
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But consider also whether she should be wearing compression socks rather than low-binding socks in order to keep the swelling out of her legs. Viasox also sells those but I haven't tried them.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:11 AM on August 7 [1 favorite]