Jobst Stocking Donner, Aid for Putting on Compression Socks

Purchased 2016 still working great, with almost daily use.

I’ve used compression socks since 1970 due to impaired circulation in my legs the result of wounds. As I’ve aged and arthritis has impaired my hands, it’s getting more difficult to get the socks on straight. I never heard of this device until I saw it on a YouTube video about rehabilitation after a total shoulder replacement, and I realized I’d need to put on knee length compression socks (20-30 Hg) after surgery with only one arm. There are lots of ways to do it, a life mate to help if you have one, using plastic grocery store bags and so forth. Notwithstanding that, I bought this device because it looked like it worked on the YouTube video. It works exactly as shown and as advertised. You load the socks on the device, insert your foot into the foot-part of the sock, hold the sock with one hand on the back part of the frame, then step down to the floor. The cage threads the calf-part of the sock over the calf. Even now that I have use of two arms and two hands, I still use it because it helps get the sock on straight. If you thread the sock on the device straight, the sock will go on straight. If you think you want one of these, I suggest that you review the videos available on YouTube before purchase. If it doesn’t work for you, you can always send it back. I kept mine.I think this device would be particularly useful for caregivers who regularly must help patients put on high compression socks. This greatly simplifies the process.

Jobst Stocking Donner does not work after total knee replacement. You have to be able to raise operated leg 12" vertically with toe pointing straight down in order to use this product. However, after total knee replacement that's physically impossible.A week out from surgery and several physical therapy sessions I can raise my toe a few inches but nowhere near what's required to use this device. And the Physical Therapist (PT) is impressed with my progress, range of motion and strengthSince I wasn't having any success getting the Jobst Stocking Donner to work at home I took it to the physical therapist for one of my sessions After several failed attempts to get the it to work they determined that the Jobst Stocking Donner is impractical after total knee replacement surgery, painful to use and possibly dangerous. The Jobst Stocking Donner instructions require a level of contortions that put you at risk of falling, back injury or damaging the operated leg and setting back recovery. The PT demonstrated that a plastic bag placed over the foot is a simple, safe and painless solution to donning compression hose. There are several YouTube videos demonstrating the time-tested use of free plastic bags to put on compression hose.My request for a return/refund was rejected by the seller.

This is a long posting, but includes lessons learned in using the device successfully, and some indications when it probably will not work.My friend had lower back surgery and was restricted from bending his spine for 12 weeks--something that had not been mentioned in the pre-surgery consults, even though he wears compression socks up to his knees. His wife quickly mastered the challenge of putting those stockings on in the morning, but she had to go to California on business for a few weeks. Paul scheduled several friends to help in the mornings, which was an inconvenience for all since none lived near him. One week into that, I bought this sock donner device and took it over with a new pair of "JOBST Relief Knee High 20-30 mmHg Compression Socks, Closed Toe" which I hoped would be a little less snug than Paul's regular ones. Paul was skeptical, but I persisted--and it was a complete failure. The slippery new socks (like womens' nylons) slipped off the device's frame before the foot was well into them. We swithched to Paul's old compression socks, which had a rougher texture, and to our mutual surprise it worked perfectly on the first try! Being able to get those socks on by himself was a morale booster for Paul.Other lessons learned:The user needs at least moderate hand and arm strength to get the socks on the donner frame.When putting the socks on one's feet with the device, sit in a chair with good upright back support.If the user has critical restrictions on his/her body motions, somebody should coach and monitor their use of the donner device for the first few morning to avoid inadvertent violations of the restrictions.People with long legs and short arms may not be able to use it without bending their back some.Strangely, Jobst sells this device without another for removing the compression socks. There are some extra long shoe horns with a small hook protruding from the backside near the bottom for doing that fairly easily.