Healthy Tips

Have you Heard of ‘Spresso’ Socks? – No, not the Coffee!

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Healthy Tips for Your Legs

Healthy Tips

 

When my husband was in the hospital, a nurse had measured his legs – length, calf and ankle circumference, to fit him for what are named ’embolism prevention socks’. They look like white opaque thigh-high stockings that they put on him to to prevent blood clots from forming while lying in bed for extended amounts of time. I was already aware of the fact that sitting for a long time – particularly in a cramped airplane could promote a blood clot, but wasn’t aware that lying down for prolonged time could cause the same problem. But these particular stockings are for bedridden patients and those who are post surgery.

 

How do those stockings work to prevent blood clots or what is known as ‘deep vein thrombosis’?

The tightest part of the pressure begins at the ankle and lessens as the sock goes up. This is to keep the blood flowing back through the body to alleviate it from pooling around the legs. Blood has to work against gravity to flow back and circulate through the body. This is why the legs are measured – particularly focused on the ankle and calf to get the correct fitting stocking. These socks help reduce swelling in legs, help alleviate throb from painful varicose veins. It’s important that these stockings are fit correctly so they are not causing problems instead of alleviating them, this is why it’s important to measure ankle and calf circumference before purchasing. You can find more detailed information on how to use and measure compression socks HERE.

There are also various types of compression socks available that don’t go up to the thigh, but are more like a knee sock, or just over the knee. The older versions of these socks aren’t always beneficial because if they have bands at the top of the sock which counteracts the benefit of the compression with the easing of pressure as the sock gradually goes toward the knee. Many people wear these socks for traveling on airplanes, to alleviate edema in swollen legs, sitting for prolonged amounts of time even at home, pregnancy pressure on the legs, and even for standing long spans of time such as at work, hiking, or any other activity that keeps one of their feet for lengthy periods of time.

 

I had occasionally seen people wearing these types of socks. Some looked quite uncomfortable and not visually appealing, some looked like the band at the top were digging into the leg. And most of all these socks can be quite expensive, usually sold at a home care or medical supply stores, pharmacies or doctor’s offices. But ironically, after a few days of getting my husband home from hospital I was tuning into my local Shopping Channel station and they were advertising Spresso Socks as the special of the day for $29.99! Wow, that’s a deal, I was thinking. I continued to watch the show with the vast array of patterns and colors offered in these socks and then went onto the website to read reviews – I always read reviews before purchasing online, particularly for a new product.

The reviews were raving, and there were many of them. People have found those socks good for so many reasons, from using them for athletic sports to travel, to just sitting too much on their couches. And it got me thinking that perhaps I should get a pair myself to have on hand for my own next venture on an airplane and maybe even when I’m sitting on my computer for too many hours. I also thought I’d grab a few pairs for my hubby for his own long sits on his couch and just for everyday use.

Read more about Deep Vein Thrombosis and how to best avoid it from happening with compression socks HERE.

Read more about how compression socks work HERE.

From the time I drafted this post to posting, I received my purple Spresso socks. I love them. I tried them out one day while working at the computer for a few hours and I have to say after taking them off my legs felt refreshed. Now, I just have to get on an airplane and go somewhere!

51 thoughts on “Have you Heard of ‘Spresso’ Socks? – No, not the Coffee!”

  3. Debby, I am impressed that they measured your husband for the socks. That is excellent care. So often the ones available to buy over the counter are ill-fitting, uncomfortable and not fit for purpose. When travelling far I find the socks give me reassurance and I think the majority of the people of the flight to the States were wearing them. It makes sense for patients who are unable to move about for any length of time to have them as well – not that I’ve seen it here.

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    1. No surprise that many are already aware of the benefits of these socks, especially for lengthy flights. And yes, I was impressed and curious when the nurse measured my hub for the socks, that’s why I wanted to look up more information on how they work. Apparently, those long white, thigh-high stockings she put on him cost $400 a pair! And do you know, when we left hospital she gave me a brand new pair in a package and told me to take them home with us in case he was ever bed laden again!
      The knee-high socks are for more daily activities, rather than lying in bed – particularly good for flying! And the ones I ordered are pretty! Nobody would even know they are compression socks. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Annika. I am hanging in, living by the mantra – One day at a time. Hubby has started to come around more like himself these past couple of days. I take him back to the surgeon for a scope this Friday to see how the procedure he did has healed and a prognosis report, so feeling a little anxiety. 🙂 ❤

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  6. Great practical advice here! When my sister had a ganglion cyst removed from her leg, the doctor ordered compression socks, hosiery actually. They cost 3 times the amount you suggested above and were decidedly unglamourous. It turned out she actually didn’t need them and the pharmacy accepted them back as unused “returns.”

    Thanks for letting “your fingesr do the shopping” for all of us. And thanks for keeping us in the know too.

    (By the way, My FitBit pulses on my wrist when I sit too long, ha!)

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  7. Fascinating, Debbie. It’s amazing what something as simple as these socks can do, and without filling someone with drugs. Thanks for sharing spresso socks and researching their benefits as well as how to get them. 🙂

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      2. LOL. I always have cold feet too (no pun intended!). But seriously, no, my feet were not cold. With these socks in particularly, they state that their socks don’t constrict the foot part and they don’t! 🙂

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  8. Hi Debbie – they were the pits after my hip operation … I probably had hospital socks, not special ones, but boy did I want my time wearing them to finish … absolutely hated them – far too hot. I know, I know – they were for my benefit!!

    I’m thinking of getting a stand up attachment to go on my desk … so I stand more – at the moment things not completely settled here – but getting there.

    Glad to read about your hubby … and you … take care and with thoughts – Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary. Thanks for chiming in here. I’m sorry to hear about your awful experience. I’m not sure what you were given, but my husband said they felt real good on him.
      As far as a standup attachment for the desk, I’m considering that myself! Let’s see who gets one first. 🙂
      And thanks again for your well wishes. 🙂 x

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  10. I bought something advertised as these at Walmart a while ago. They are odd, nothing like real socks, but I keep wearing them. I do wish they’d develop holes and I could throw them out though!

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    1. They look like ‘real’ socks Jacquie. But they are beneficial for the legs. Are you sure you bought this brand? I think they are great, they don’t constrict your toes or feet and no top band, and pretty colors. 🙂

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  11. Hi Debbi,
    Great news that things are improving for hubby. Currently I’m going through treatment for a surgical wound that won’t heal. They have me wearing the socks from toe to knee. I”m like Hilary, I can’t stand them and can’t wait until I don’t have to wear them. However, I have noticed they do keep the edema under control when I sit long periods on my computer. Maybe I’ll look into something nicer looking like the ‘Spresso’ There is a time when our vanity needs to step aside for our health. I’ve reached that age and with the medical problems I’ve had, there is no more vanity or dignity left. The doctor and nurses have seen it all now. LOL Thanks for the information. It is something we all need to be made aware.

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    1. Hi Chuck. I hope you are on the mend! And thanks for the good wishes for my hub getting better every day! Yes, these socks don’t have to look ugly or orthopedic and they are reasonably priced. Check out their website! And not only that, I’ll bet any money you will find them on your US shopping channel – QVC or HSN for like 30 bucks! So worth it! Order a few pairs and wear them daily like so many do. 🙂

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  12. I’m supposed to wear them because of my dodgy veins that can make my legs swell up. I have found cheaper ones than that but they always seam to get lost in the sock pile. When I do wear them, which isn’t often they do work.

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  13. They’re not particularly fashion conscious but if they help us feel younger and more flexible, who cares? I have several friends who wear these when they fly and shout their praises. Good info, Debby!

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    1. Well that is good to hear Pam. And these socks do happen to look quite fashionable, nobody knows you are wearing compression socks! It’s a win/win. 🙂 x

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  14. Sam was given these after his Achilles’ heel operation. He uses them for flight socks now. I have many pairs from many operations! In our hospital they are known as TED stockings (thrombo-embolytic for the TE, but not sure what the D is for!).

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      2. I anxiously await the day I take my next flight with the madness that’s been going on around here since 2018 came along. And then I shall wear mine too. 🙂

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  16. Photo, please! 🙂

    I have been aware of socks like these (brown, old-fashioned ones) being with my grandparents years ago. I think they had the bands on top and seemed uncomfortable.

    I was closely involved with the knee-high white ones my mother-in-law wore at the hospital, recently, when I rolled them down to apply cream on a rash and put them back in place afterwards. That routine stopped, when the nurses found out I was using non-prescribed cream. Luckily, I didn’t get deported! 🙂

    And, I also noticed my father-in-law wears tight and stretchy black calf-high socks, from doing his laundry. Nice to read about a topic I have experience with. They do sound comfortable and helpful to try on an even more personal level!

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    1. Seriously, these are so comfortable and fashionable! Yes! Well, guess what! Mexico is back on! And just for you I will take a picture of the socks while wearing them just for you!!!!
      Lol, I had to laugh at your putting cream on your MIL and fears of deportation! 🙂 xx

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