Compression socks are specialty garments woven with a tight elastic material to apply graduated pressure to the legs. This pressure is highest at the ankle and gradually decreases up the leg, which helps to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling. Because these socks are intentionally snug to provide therapeutic benefits, applying them requires a significant amount of force, making the daily process difficult for many people. The difficulty is compounded for individuals with limited mobility, back issues, or reduced hand strength, but specialized tools exist to help overcome this common challenge. These donning aids are designed to simplify the application process, ensuring the socks are worn correctly and consistently to maximize their health advantages.
Understanding Compression Sock Donning Aids
A variety of devices have been developed to assist in putting on compression socks, categorized by their design and mechanism of action. The first category includes rigid or frame donners, typically constructed from metal or hard plastic. These tools are U-shaped devices with long handles that hold the sock open, allowing the user to insert their foot without excessive bending.
Another common type is the flexible or trough aid, often made of smooth, low-friction materials like nylon or parachute fabric. These aids, sometimes called “slippies” or “glides,” significantly reduce the friction between the sock and the skin, making the garment slide up the leg more easily. They are especially helpful for positioning the heel correctly and are available in versions for both open-toe and closed-toe stockings.
Specialized gripping aids, such as rubber gloves or grip sleeves, form a third category of tools. These gloves feature a textured or anti-slip surface that provides maximum traction on the slick fabric of the compression garment. While they do not reduce the required bending motion, they prevent the user’s fingers from snagging or damaging the sock material while smoothing out wrinkles.
Step-by-Step Guide for Using Rigid Sock Donners
Rigid sock donners are among the most popular tools, offering a solution for individuals who cannot easily reach their feet. The process begins by turning the compression sock inside out down to the heel pocket. The sock’s foot portion is then stretched over the semi-circular frame of the donner, with the heel facing the user.
After loading, the handles are used to lower the sock to the floor in front of the seated user. The foot is pointed and inserted into the open toe section, pushing down until the heel is properly positioned inside the sock’s heel pocket.
The user then grasps the long handles and steadily pulls the entire frame upward. The rigid structure pulls the sock smoothly over the ankle and calf until the device can be maneuvered out through the top of the sock.
The final step involves adjusting the sock to ensure a proper fit without wrinkles, which can impair circulation. Donning gloves can be used to gently smooth the fabric and eliminate any creases that may have formed during application.
Alternative Tools and Specialized Techniques
Beyond the standard rigid frames, flexible glide aids provide unique solutions for different mobility challenges. Made from a smooth, cylindrical material, they are useful for those who can reach their feet but lack the hand strength to pull the sock up. The sock is pulled over the low-friction surface, reducing the effort needed to move the garment over the heel.
For a low-cost alternative, simple household items can reduce friction. A thin plastic bag placed over the foot mimics a glide aid, allowing the sock to slide up easily before the bag is pulled out through the toe opening.
Reducing friction on the skin itself also simplifies the process. Applying talcum powder or cornstarch to the leg creates a smoother surface for the fabric to slide over. Ensuring the legs are clean and completely dry, avoiding moisturizer application immediately beforehand, significantly decreases resistance.
Selecting the Right Tool for Your Needs
Choosing the correct donning aid depends primarily on the user’s physical limitations and the specific type of compression garment being worn. Individuals with back, hip, or knee problems that prevent bending over benefit most from a rigid donner with extended handles. The frame effectively removes the need to reach the foot, transferring the effort to the upper body and arms.
Conversely, someone with limited hand dexterity or arthritis may find the rigid frame challenging to load and is better suited for a flexible glide aid. Glide aids require less stretching of the sock and are easier to manage with weakened grip strength. The sock’s design is also a factor, as some tools are made specifically for open-toe styles.
The size of the user’s foot and calf is a critical consideration, as donners come in different widths and sizes. Selecting a donner that is too narrow for a larger leg makes loading difficult, while one that is too wide may not adequately stretch the sock for easy insertion. Consulting sizing charts ensures the aid is appropriately matched to limb measurements, maximizing effectiveness.