Foot Health is Our Commitment

One of the ways to prevent a deep vein thrombosis, commonly called a DVT, is to wear anti embolic stockings during your period of immobility. The stockings are made of firm elastic which gently squeezes your legs and feet, to increase the blood flow in your leg veins and therefore reduce clot formation.

Information for Patients VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM – BLOOD CLOTS Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a vein. This is most common in a leg vein, where it’s known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A blood clot in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). The chance of developing them increases if you’re immobile, unwell, had surgery, take certain medications, are pregnant or have recently given birth. 

HOW DO ANTI-EMBOLISM STOCKINGS (AES) WORK? Anti-embolism stockings improve the flow of blood in your veins by squeezing the leg. This increases the blood flow and prevents your leg veins from expanding, which stops blood pooling in your legs and forming a clot. Anti-embolism stockings may be worn on their own or used in addition to medications that thin the blood, known as anticoagulant medication. WHO DECIDES IF I NEED ANTI-EMBOLISM STOCKINGS? You will be assessed for your risk of developing a blood clot by a doctor when you are admitted to hospital. If you are at risk of developing blood clots your doctor may feel you will benefit from wearing anti-embolism stockings. If you need anti-embolism stockings a member of the nursing team will measure your legs and select the right size for you