I was on knee thigh and the clot was just above it. My INR dropped and my clot moved up. They think part of the reason was because the knee thigh squeezed it up. I don't know for sure..

Hope that helps.
Lori

The only thing I don't like about the knee high is that they tend to dig in right behind my knee, which is very uncomfortable and it always worries me that I'm making matters worse. Or they slide down, so I'm always pulling them up. Could just be an inferior brand.
I did happen upon a really good brand of compression sock that you can get either just below the knee or just above the ankle, called Rejuvenizer Athletic Support Socks in firm compression (20-30 mmHG). I found them at Walgreens. They're kinda like a cross between an Ace bandage and a sock. Since my swelling and discoloration is mostly around my ankle, the ankle sock really feels good, works well, so I wear it all the time now. Plus they're only $10/pair.

I was encouraged to get the thigh high vs the knee high because of the location of my clot (extends behind my knee). The dr said the knee ones would put too much pressure on that area.

Ah, this is really interesting to read. At the anticoagulation clinic they told me that the stockings only 'work' below the knee as they compress the calf and this is where the whole vein-constriction thing happens (excuse my lacking medical lingo). Longer stockings are ok for cosmetic reasons i.e. to wear with skirts but have no real added support effect.
It just so happens that my knee is still swelling up and I was wondering whether the knee-highs are causing the problem or it is just a coincidence? I'll be following the discussion on here closely... :-D

Okay... so today I am wearing my knee high stocking for the first time and I am noticing little difference so far. They are 30-40 mmHG and aren't too tight around the knee. I am still worried because the top half of my leg is discoloured and I have veins popping out everywhere. My clot went from my heal up past my kidney but my doctor feels that knee highs are all that are medically necessary and that studies show the same. I guess it's just a matter of trusting him but I am very nervous about it since I am also stopping my fragmin shots and switching stockings. Thank you for your comments.

My DVT goes to mid thigh but my vascular surgeon said to only get knee high. He says they have a better success rate when the patient wears knee high. Mine have a silocone band at the top that keeps them from sliding down. I wear 30-40mg. He recommends NOT going below that strength with a DVT. Mine are Mediven brand.I like them much better then the Jobst brand i got in the hospital.

Hi:

My vascular surgeon told me the same thing PeachesInGA's vascular surgeon told her. My DVT extended from above my knee cap to my lower abdominal area. I asked specifically why I was only to wear compression stockings below the knee. My surgeon told me the feet/calves are the 'blood pumps' of the legs, and it was important for the circulation to be good there, despite the location of my DVT. He also said that if I wanted to, I could wear full stockings (like Sheer Energy!) or thigh-highs.

I went to a pharmacy and found thigh-highs, just to trade off from the compression stockings I received in the hospital.

I, too, had problems at the back of the knee (when my thigh-high stockings rolled down. I now have a weird garter belt thing.)

I, too, have heard this argument from doctors that knee-high stockings are just as or more effective.

My humble opinion? There is some research, and some things doctors say, that just defies common sense. If you put an elastic band below your knee, that can't be good for circulation.

I say get the thigh highs and never look back. I've been using mine a lot more, and they really do help when I feel a run of bad days coming on.

--Catalyzt

Ok so to add both my experience and advice given to me ins the past by Drs pertaining to varicosed veins and clots: I have been dealing with varicosed veins in my left calf for 12 yrs. Been using compression socks- knee high for 10 yrs. Jan 09, I had a DVT in lower left leg- in spite of wearing compression socks - the really good ones by Venosan. The clot traveled to my lungs (PE). My current Drs have not even discussed the used of compression socks, guess they felt like I know enough about their use - go figure.

One thing I'm noticing in the remarks are people with socks that do not stay up. That tells me they just are not fitted properly. You really need to take the time to measure your calves and buy the right size.

Have any of you with varicosed veins pursued getting them closed either by the VENACURE or VNUS methods? When they do the closure procedure on the veins, they only treat the portion above the knee. So overall, I'm thinking there must be some benefit to using thigh high compression socks.

Another thing to know is they are really known as "graduated compression" socks or stockings, becuase they can only provide a benefit if they do compress much more at the instep/arch and ankle then a little less in the calves, then a little less in the thigh. If they don't fit properly they are not helping you. By the way, improper fit can be too tight, as well as to loose.

Good points on fitting, CMJ-- I went back three times for three different fittings. And at an HMO, the techs don't know squat.

However note: If you have skinny legs that are the wrong shape, the stockings will... never... fit... right.

Someone here told me about the garter belt thing, it's really expensive and it's great, worth every dime. Hey, it's kinky, but if it keeps the pain down and keeps me out of intensive care, I am good with it. Man, I hate getting a run in a $45 stocking, though, it sucks!

--Cat

Hi all,

I'm going to have to dig into my old collection of stockings....thank goodness I hung onto them. The thigh highs were just more comfortable to me, period.

I ordered a pair of Jobst from the company, over the phone. A lot of you know how expensive they are. Well, the person helping me was not really listening to me, but seemed to have the voice of authority. After wearing them for a while, I realized that they were too small (and guess what--you can't send them back).

A bright note...There is a roll-on glue stick specifically for keeping the stockings up. It is water soluable, and really worked well for me. Whatever works, whether a garter belt, the glue stick (sorry I don't remember the brand---It was sold at the medical supply store where I got some of the stockings) or some other method, my vote is for the thigh-high. The knee highs really dug into my flesh and just plain hurt. I don't really want to start wearing them again, facing the warmer part of the year, but my ankles are swollen beyond what they ever have been.