My dad had a bout with cellulitis a few months back. He is diabetic. The redness went away pretty quick but it took the open wound months to heal, which it finally has. He had developed edema in the leg and a couple doses of Lasix helped and then it finally went down. He had wound care in place to change the dressings during all of this and then the last couple weeks he was bandaged from his ankle up to his knee. Now his leg looks great (the doctor agrees!) and he purchased diabetic knee socks to wear. I am being told by the wound specialist that he should have DAILY compression therapy. I'm not sure what this is exactly. I should know more this week. She says it will help keep the edema from happening again. Daily? Seems excessive. With my dad's schedule of other appointments and other caregivers coming in, I'm not sure how he would squeeze this in every single day. He is not going to want this nor do I. What do I do? Should I get his PCP involved? I'm sure she didn't prescribe this.
This is something you would be doing when he gets dressed. My dad had white to the knee compression socks that he only wore during the day then removed them for bed.
They are a bear to get on, so put them on like a nylon and it is much easier, can't pull them on as they are tight.
If what you learn is different will you please let me know. Thanks!
They are prescribed by a lymphedema or woundcare center. The regular TEDS hose usually can’t be used daily on these patients as often as you’ve seen when a person’s legs are swollen they ooze clear sometimes serous (yellow colored) fluid & applying the compression hose causes the skin to come off which then is a potential source of infection especially with diabetes and pts with CHF.
The compression hose “wraps” are prescribed after medical staff do measurements and determine how many mmHg the patient needs applied to prevent the edema from getting worse or oozing.
Taking care of lower extremity edema in your dad’s situation will need constant vigilance on the CG’s part.
Please explain to your dad that he needs to limit his salt intake to almost nothing. Explain that salt is not his friend anymore as it contributes greatly to the amount of swelling in his legs. Also elevate them when sitting and walk frequently to help his veins push the blood up from his lower legs to his heart.
The wraps should be covered by Medicare as DME, the amt will be determined by his Medicare plan. His secondary should pick up most of the 20% not covered by traditional Medicare.