Help - ideas for getting socks on my feet are freezing!

sharmaine
sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
edited 4. Nov 2009, 09:13 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

I bought a disability aid to help me get my socks on but it's a nightmare. My feet are freezing and that's with my slippers on! My husband had to leave the house at 6.30 am so wasn't around to do it for me..

Any suggestions/ideas - very welcome. In the meantime I'm going to ask my son to come over to put them on for me. He's got an eight mile drive - I know he won't mind...but he works shifts and I need to be able to do this one thing for myself especially as it is getting colder.

Having OA is both knees is such a pain!!!!!! :lol:

Sharmaine

PS I'm going to try the kitchen tongs in a minute and see if that works.

Comments

  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynne

    Finally I got some socks on - my husbands. I used the kitchen tongs and a very long shoe horn. I had a damn good cry afterwards - I got so frustrated! I will go out and buy some bed socks later.

    Thanks for the tip............I wish I had thought of this ..sometimes you don't see the wood for the trees.

    My son was in town - so couldn't get here straight away. He's coming over later to help me make the bed - every joint in my body seems to be aching today.

    Sharmaine
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    You can also get the socks with rubber bits under the foot to help you walk without slipping over. They are quite easy to get on. I tend to use bed socks during the day. The ones I have got are quite colourful, with strawberry or raspberry and cherrys on. Peacocks normally have good ones.
    I have problems with my back aswell. That is always ice cold. I'm warm everywhere else but my back stays frozen so I have to put a vest then a t-shirt and then a jumper. Calling your son to helps gives you a chance to see him more often.
    Hope you find something soon

    joy
  • wallysatt
    wallysatt Member Posts: 87
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I also have this problem and have a gadget from the OT at the hospital. It takes a bit of getting used to but after some practise I can do it now although it can be so frustrating because my hands are very sore too.

    I also use bigger socks like bed socks and wear men’s socks most of the time because they are easier to get on the gadget.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Wallysatt, Joy, Joyful etc for tips.

    I've just been digging out my thermal t-shirts and vests. My husband wanted me to buy some thermal socks on the weekend but I wasn't in the mood. Serves me right for not listening to him.
    Feet are thawing out now. I think I'll put the fire on in the lounge and have a cup of tea.

    I'm going to get my son to put a pair of thin socks underneath my husband's sports socks that I'm wearing now. My feet seem to get like blocks of ice - it must be because of the OA in both knees - mind you I think I have it in my toes too - they get stiff like the other joints. I'm just a wreck today.

    Sharmaine
  • debbierose
    debbierose Member Posts: 403
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    do you have a b and m shop near you get your son to go and buy some fleecy slippers you can sleep in them and they keep your feet nice and warm, they go in the washer and wash lovely.

    they are only a £1.00 and well worth it.

    Debbie.
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    I have one of those sock aid thingies form the OT dept, but find it a faff. If my hubby or kids aren`t around to help with socks, I resort to Ugg boots!! They are so soft and furry inside I don`t need socks. I lived in them last winter, and used my long handled shoe horn to help me put them on. I was given some sock/boot/slipper things which have a non slip sole and a pouch on the top of the foot which have a mini wheat bag in. Brill for cold tootsies!! Not very fashionable or sexy but , hey, needs must when it comes to cold feet!! :wink:
    NB
  • masaka
    masaka Member Posts: 47
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I have trouble with socks as well. I have given up tights completely. I can manage them by sitting on the toilet, using a helping hand to put some jeans or other trousers on, and then using the jean material to grap the foot and pull it within reach. I then use the other hand to get the sock over the toes and heel. I can then use the helping hand to pull the sock up further.

    I also discovered post THR, that you can get a sock on by using a couple of helping hands and a dressing stick with a hook on, together with a great deal of swearing. It takes a while but can be done.

    The other method I used as a child is to stand on one leg against a wall. Have the sock ready in one hand and bring the foot behind me and hook the sock over that way. My standing isn't good enough for that nowawdays and my hands can be dodgy due to RA, but it worked for years.

    Last time round I tried the various sock aids but couldn't get on with them. I didn't bother this time.

    Hope that might be useful,

    Teresa


    I bought a disability aid to help me get my socks on but it's a nightmare. My feet are freezing and that's with my slippers on! My husband had to leave the house at 6.30 am so wasn't around to do it for me..

    Any suggestions/ideas - very welcome. In the meantime I'm going to ask my son to come over to put them on for me. He's got an eight mile drive - I know he won't mind...but he works shifts and I need to be able to do this one thing for myself especially as it is getting colder.

    Having OA is both knees is such a pain!!!!!! :lol:

    Sharmaine

    PS I'm going to try the kitchen tongs in a minute and see if that works.[/quote]
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sharmaine! I don't believe it! I'm a member of the frozen foot brigade too :shock:

    I can do neither socks nor shoes nor tights - just about manage my knickers - although I believe going commando is very fashionable these daay and healthy :wink:

    Yesterday I received a 'sock aid' I ordered from Cosyfeet - I always buy my socks from them - I'd been really looking forward to being independent and not ever asking 'whoever' again. :D:D:D

    Can I use the sodding thing, no, just because I can't flex my ankles. :x :x I threaded said sock onto gadget, positioned frozen foot and slipped it inside then I tugged and I pulled and I panted and I sweated and I swore and it didn't budge an inch. My knee hurt, my arms ached, my fingers throbbed and my feet were still frozen. :roll:

    I now revert to my scientific approach - I put my socks on top of the kettle where anyone getting up before me will see them and put them on me before they go out in the morning - works everytime (unless you've had a row :shock: :lol: )

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • wallysatt
    wallysatt Member Posts: 87
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    nearlybionic

    Apart from my Crocs my Ugg boots were the best thing I've ever bought and you're right, they're so warm that you don't need to wear socks. I've managed to talk my mum into getting some and I’m thinking of investing in another pair! :lol:
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I couldn't do the one standing by the wall and hooking sock whilst standing. Legs too bed for that!
    I will look at some UG boots. I'm also going to invest in some of those bed socks.

    Thanks for responding.

    Sharmaine