My medical people say yes. I scored some "freebees" following hip surgery last month. Discharging doc made sure that they were packed into my bag..with verbal instruction of wear them on your next o/s flight!
Yes it’s still worthwhile wearing them, as it’s not sitting upright in economy class or a lack of legroom that is a risk factor for DVT, but rather prolonged immobility in any position, recumbent or not. Hospitalised patients are in “fully lie flat” beds too and get DVTs at rates far higher than the background populace (albeit with some other concomitant risk factors too such as acute medical illness, surgery etc).
It depends also on your risk profile and length of flight, and what you will be doing (eg being active or sedentary) before and after the flight. For example, the Memsahib is high-risk because she has had a previous DVT - I therefore won't let her fly long-haul unless with a flat bed BUT she also takes low-dose aspirin for a period before and after the flight and wears compression socks (for shorter flights) or stockings (which go up her thighs as well) for longer flights AND she regularly gets up to walk around, hydrates plentifully and so forth. One thing to bear in mind is that very fit people can be (counter-intuitively) higher risk, because their resting pulse is generally lower, increasing the possibility of blood pooling and clotting.
If you are are concerned about DVT, consult your GP who can do a clotting test and give you an assessment of your risk levels.
Having said all that, wearing compression socks is never going to hurt you (although they can be a bit hot and itchy). They can also reduce the tendency of feet and ankles to swell on long flights - how many of us have struggled to put our shoes back on at the end of a long-haul flight??!
It depends also on your risk profile and length of flight, and what you will be doing (eg being active or sedentary) before and after the flight. For example, the Memsahib is high-risk because she has had a previous DVT - I therefore won't let her fly long-haul unless with a flat bed BUT she also takes low-dose aspirin for a period before and after the flight and wears compression socks (for shorter flights) or stockings (which go up her thighs as well) for longer flights AND she regularly gets up to walk around, hydrates plentifully and so forth. One thing to bear in mind is that very fit people can be (counter-intuitively) higher risk, because their resting pulse is generally lower, increasing the possibility of blood pooling and clotting.
If you are are concerned about DVT, consult your GP who can do a clotting test and give you an assessment of your risk levels.
Having said all that, wearing compression socks is never going to hurt you (although they can be a bit hot and itchy). They can also reduce the tendency of feet and ankles to swell on long flights - how many of us have struggled to put our shoes back on at the end of a long-haul flight??!
Fantastic to read this. Showing it to my wife. Basically saying that getting fat in older age is actually healthier for us.
Following ankle surgery, I was advised to wear them by my specialist. I was also advised to take asprin (Encartia) a day or two before the flight and afterwards to avoid DVT. As I have had ankle issue, I do wear them on long haul flights, especially if overnight.
Buzzfuzz
Buzzfuzz
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 09 Jun 2019
Total posts 11
Is it still desirable to wear compression stockings (flight socks) in business class when fully flat beds are available?
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Racala
Racala
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 May 2018
Total posts 64
My medical people say yes. I scored some "freebees" following hip surgery last month. Discharging doc made sure that they were packed into my bag..with verbal instruction of wear them on your next o/s flight!
s4172249
s4172249
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Feb 2018
Total posts 38
Yes it’s still worthwhile wearing them, as it’s not sitting upright in economy class or a lack of legroom that is a risk factor for DVT, but rather prolonged immobility in any position, recumbent or not. Hospitalised patients are in “fully lie flat” beds too and get DVTs at rates far higher than the background populace (albeit with some other concomitant risk factors too such as acute medical illness, surgery etc).
Metoo
Metoo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Nov 2016
Total posts 93
I know my feet and legs feel better for wearing them. There's plenty available online.
tonyw
tonyw
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Jul 2015
Total posts 17
With a doctor's letter, you may get your health fund to contribute
Ian_from_HKG
Ian_from_HKG
CX
Member since 05 Jun 2012
Total posts 61
It depends also on your risk profile and length of flight, and what you will be doing (eg being active or sedentary) before and after the flight. For example, the Memsahib is high-risk because she has had a previous DVT - I therefore won't let her fly long-haul unless with a flat bed BUT she also takes low-dose aspirin for a period before and after the flight and wears compression socks (for shorter flights) or stockings (which go up her thighs as well) for longer flights AND she regularly gets up to walk around, hydrates plentifully and so forth. One thing to bear in mind is that very fit people can be (counter-intuitively) higher risk, because their resting pulse is generally lower, increasing the possibility of blood pooling and clotting.
If you are are concerned about DVT, consult your GP who can do a clotting test and give you an assessment of your risk levels.
Having said all that, wearing compression socks is never going to hurt you (although they can be a bit hot and itchy). They can also reduce the tendency of feet and ankles to swell on long flights - how many of us have struggled to put our shoes back on at the end of a long-haul flight??!
Buzzfuzz
Buzzfuzz
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 09 Jun 2019
Total posts 11
I agree. It may be a bit of a struggle to get them on, but once they are on, you don't notice them and they may just be doing you some real good.
Madhatter49
Madhatter49
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 Dec 2016
Total posts 85
Originally Posted by Ian_from_HKG
It depends also on your risk profile and length of flight, and what you will be doing (eg being active or sedentary) before and after the flight. For example, the Memsahib is high-risk because she has had a previous DVT - I therefore won't let her fly long-haul unless with a flat bed BUT she also takes low-dose aspirin for a period before and after the flight and wears compression socks (for shorter flights) or stockings (which go up her thighs as well) for longer flights AND she regularly gets up to walk around, hydrates plentifully and so forth. One thing to bear in mind is that very fit people can be (counter-intuitively) higher risk, because their resting pulse is generally lower, increasing the possibility of blood pooling and clotting.
If you are are concerned about DVT, consult your GP who can do a clotting test and give you an assessment of your risk levels.
Having said all that, wearing compression socks is never going to hurt you (although they can be a bit hot and itchy). They can also reduce the tendency of feet and ankles to swell on long flights - how many of us have struggled to put our shoes back on at the end of a long-haul flight??!
Fantastic to read this. Showing it to my wife. Basically saying that getting fat in older age is actually healthier for us.
Thanks for letting us know.
Stephen D
Stephen D
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 12 Nov 2017
Total posts 42
Following ankle surgery, I was advised to wear them by my specialist. I was also advised to take asprin (Encartia) a day or two before the flight and afterwards to avoid DVT. As I have had ankle issue, I do wear them on long haul flights, especially if overnight.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 731
I used them for the first time and after wrestling them on they are great. Superficial bruising around shins (old age) vanished