A latest study shows elastic compression stockings can reduce complications after a blood clot in the leg ,though they tend to be very uncomfortable .
Some of the common complications with deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot, in the leg include swelling, skin discoloration, numbness, chronic pain, hardening of the skin, and leg sores. It has been suggested that elastic stockings could help patients with blood clots, so researchers from conducted a study to compare patients who used stockings to those who did not.The study included 180 patients diagnosed with their first episode of deep vein thrombosis in the legs. All of the patients received medication for their blood clot. Then half of the patients were given stockings to wear, and the other half did not wear stockings. Researchers compared how the two groups fared. At the end of two years, results showed 25 percent of the patients who wore the stockings had developed a complication compared to 49 percent of those who did not wear the stockings.
Researchers conclude that early use of stockings in patients with deep vein thrombosis is safe to use and well tolerated. They suggest this treatment be adopted for all patients with deep vein thrombosis in the legs.
