# Foot injury - advice? {It’s a blood clot} **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 27, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446 "2022-08-27T20:08:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2022, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/321 "2022-11-02T05:04:25Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > wash your hands _really_ well after applying it, right? ⁢ > > That. It’s a gel, doesn’t like to come off, but I persevere. ⁢ A small hint that can help with that. Use friction to get it off first, like with a rough paper towel. Then try to wash it. Maybe that’s obvious to most people, but it never occurred to me to try that before. I stuck with the usual order of wash, then towel. Don’t get me wrong, I’d wipe off a huge excess, but I wouldn’t really scrub the thin layer before putting water and soap on it. But it seems to me that it takes advantage of how gel is often stickier on the drier parts (which I think is why it wants to stick to your skin more). Don’t know if it will work for this particular gel, but it’s worth a shot to see if it makes it easier, right? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2022, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/322 "2022-11-02T12:23:58Z")
DVT is the first thing that came to mind when you mentioned severe calf pain and tightness in post #33. I routinely screened with Homan’s sign test in my lower extremity physical exams (especially with geriatric patients complaining of calf pain). It’s a quick and easy test that can save lives. All docs should do so. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2022, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/323 "2022-11-02T12:24:27Z")
Or wear gloves… If you’re concerned about creating trash, wash your hands while they’re still IN the gloves, then hang the gloves up to dry and re-use them. Wiping the goop off with paper towels creates trash, too. I use a steroid cream on a small area of my face. I apply it with a Q-tip, not my fingers. Works fine. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2022, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/324 "2022-11-02T14:13:34Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Or wear gloves… > > If you’re concerned about creating trash, wash your hands while they’re still IN the gloves, then hang the gloves up to dry and re-use them. Wiping the goop off with paper towels creates trash, too. 🤚 🤕 Duh. That’s what sis always did. She had special gloves for it and everything. She needed so many creams for her skin back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/325 "2022-11-02T21:11:15Z")
Okay, I got fitted for compression socks this morning. You guys were right about them being difficult to get into. The super nice grey-haired lady who helped me at the pharmacy that specializes in these things had tips and showed me some tricks to get them on. Including a special pair of gloves with a rough finish that eased grabbing and pulling them into place. My doc had specified 30-40s, which elicited a “seriously?” from the lady assisting me. I’d already decided to do this: get a less-strong pair in case I had trouble tolerating the prescription pair sometimes, now I knew that plan was a good one, and pharmacy lady agreed, and recommended the 20-30s I bought (the next strength down) for my upcoming long flight to SE Asia in December. So $160 later I have a pair of 30-40’s, a pair of 20-30’s, and magic get-the-damned-things-on gloves. I’ve been wearing the right compression stocking on my clot leg for a couple of hours now, and it’s… tolerable, but I can see this may wear thin (ba-dum) day after day. I’ll try to do it the way the hematologist wants as much as I can. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/326 "2022-11-02T22:23:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I apply it with a Q-tip, not my fingers. Works fine. That’s my go-to for all my small spots of psoriasis, except my scalp where only the fingers work. I’ll try gloves for that. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/327 "2022-11-03T04:21:08Z")
Damn, it’s hard to get _out_ of a compression stocking, too! ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/328 "2022-11-03T04:43:41Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > it’s hard to get _out_ of a compression stocking, too! Welcome to the world of what wearing a bra is like! Both putting on and taking off. Come to think of it, the cost is similar…. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/329 "2022-11-03T04:55:16Z")
Yeah, but tits are at least sporty. My old man swollen leg, not so much 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/330 "2022-11-03T06:29:52Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > but tits are at least sporty. My old man swollen leg, not so much You dear, sweet man. ---
**Author:** ![Drsunflower1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drsunflower1/32/12711_2.png) [@Drsunflower1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drsunflower1)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/331 "2022-11-03T18:58:02Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > and magic get-the-damned-things-on gloves. Don’t know if you have open-toe socks, but if so, this is what we use in nursing homes: > **[Arion Easy-Slide application aid for compression stockings](https://arion-group.com/arion-products/arion-easy-slide/)** > > The original textile aid to put on open-toe compression stockings in almost no time and effort! It lets the stocking slide smoothly over the skin and contributes to reducing daily stress and physical strain. A convenient self-management aid for a... Once you get the hang of it it’s a lifesaver. Good luck with all the stuff, DVT sucks. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/332 "2022-11-03T18:59:27Z")
> [@Drsunflower1](#): > > Don’t know if you have open-toe socks, but if so, this is what we use Oh, nice trick! I don’t have open-toed yet, but plan to find some. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Drsunflower1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drsunflower1/32/12711_2.png) [@Drsunflower1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drsunflower1)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/333 "2022-11-03T19:04:49Z")
Apparently they have a variant for closed-toe socks as well. At least on the website. Good luck ! ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/334 "2022-11-03T19:31:27Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > You dear, sweet man Okay, that was a bid ribald. “A bosom be but sweet light and poetry, eclipsing mine lowly dad bod.” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/335 "2022-11-11T02:52:18Z")
If you can roll them on and off, that’s MUCH easier than trying to pull them. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/336 "2022-11-11T03:21:11Z")
Glad you posted. I was just going to come here and check up on @squeegee. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/337 "2022-11-11T18:58:22Z")
The problem I have with the compression stockings is length and getting them to fit smooth. These are related. The nice lady at the pharmacy who fitted me told me these knee-high stockings should only come up to two inches below the rear bend of the knee, to not restrict flow in an important vein behind the knee. So I have to get then on, stretching them enough that there are no creases, and that they don’t come up too high on my leg. This is doable but very difficult, and the technique changes daily as the stocking stretches out over several wearings. I tried some open toed stockings, those were easier to manage and hit the right height, but the brand I tried inevitably would get creases at the top of my ankle, which pinched my skin and hurt. I also tried zipper stockings, but they were too tall; the zipper ended behind my kneecap and so bunched. I guess I just need to keep trying different brands. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/338 "2022-11-11T19:31:04Z")
Oddly…though upon reflection, not odd at all, there’s a subreddit on > **[r/ClotSurvivors](https://www.reddit.com/r/ClotSurvivors/)** > > r/ClotSurvivors: Clot survivors is a support group for people who have survived blood clots. (DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke, VTE, etc.) \*\*If you … and some posts about compression stocking troubleshooting… > **[reddit.com: search results - stockings](https://www.reddit.com/r/ClotSurvivors/search/?q=stockings&restrict_sr=1&sr_nsfw=)** > > r/ClotSurvivors: Clot survivors is a support group for people who have survived blood clots. (DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke, VTE, etc.) \*\*If you … ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/339 "2022-11-11T23:18:28Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I guess I just need to keep trying different brands. Yes, and that can get expensive. I ordered a brand for “large calves” and found that, though they claimed to be knee high, they were only calf high on me (I’m a tall lady). I’ve been ordering large calves to get them to be tall enough for me. This latest bunch are pretty good. I was able to order by calf circumference and height. They are a bit too tall, but I just fold the knee hem down once and they are perfect. The brand is Levsox, purchased through Amazon. They can be ordered in different compressions. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446/340 "2022-11-11T23:30:35Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > I just fold the knee hem down once and they are perfect I was doing that, which doubled the compression at the top of my knee and would seriously indent my leg, and probably do the opposite of what you’d want the compression sock to do: push the blood upward, escaping the foreleg. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foot-injury-advice-it-s-a-blood-clot/970446.md?page=18)