Now I am going to show you application of a closed toe stocking using a simple device that is made of the same material used to make parachutes, which makes the application very easy.
Simply fold the device into quarters and then insert the stick part of the device through the eyelets.
Thread it down to the end and then secure it into the pocket at the end to prevent it from sticking into a patient’s skin.
This is the angle from which the device should be applied. This device is designed for a closed-toe, graduated, compression stocking. We will now show application using this device.
When applying a closed-toe compression stocking, you insert the device over the foot and continue up until the toes stop the device from going any further. Applying the stocking as a full piece actually helps it slip on more easily than if you were to roll it up. If you roll up the graduated compression stocking, over time it will get tighter and tighter at the ankle and the ankle will be where the majority of pressure will be applied.
There is an alternative application method that you can do, which is to insert your hand into the stocking until your fingers reach the ankle, then pull the stocking top over the bottom part of the stocking until you are left with the opening of the stocking at the heel area. You then put the foot into this heel area opening. For most purposes, however, it is actually easier to apply as a full stocking.
Whenever you put a compression stocking on, it is recommended that you use rubber gloves to prevent any ladders; a pair of ordinary washing up gloves is sufficient. Gloves can be re-washed in between patients. If the rubber gloves come with raised rubber dots on them, it actually makes the application of the stocking easier because it decreases the need to use strong force to apply the stocking and then helps to ease the fabric up the leg.
So with this device put the whole foot in and then ease the stocking up to the heel section. Once you have the heel in place, pull out the stick part of the device.
The patient can either pull the material part of the device out themselves or else you can ease it out. The purpose of using this application device is to make the application of the stocking easier to avoid friction and sheer. Once you have it in place, just ease the stocking into position.
Smooth out any wrinkles, make sure the toes are positioned correctly into the toe piece of the stocking and check the application of the heel.
A way to prevent slippage is to always run your hands up and down the stocking a few times. This eases out the tension from the stocking weave, which helps to prevent the stocking from slipping down. It is also a good idea to make sure that you don’t have any folds or bands at the top of the stocking, as this will become an area where pressure damage will occur.
The best way to take the stocking off is to put on your gloves and then pull off the stocking as a whole piece. That concludes stocking application.
Promoting Healthy Skin - Video Transcript