Do Sock Aid Kits Really Work?

Diabetic patients may find it hard to bend down or put on their diabetic socks and compression socks or stockings. Socks, particularly for each diabetic patient and their conditions, help protect their feet from bacteria or injuries. Some diabetic patients use compression socks to help with proper blood flow. 

For diabetic patients, it is hard to move or do certain things because this may cause their bodies or feet to hurt. Some activities may give them pain, injury, or even a strain back especially putting their socks on. That is why sock aids were invented, to help diabetic patients put on their diabetic socks efficiently and quickly. 

There are different sock aids and how to use them. You need to find the perfect one that will work with your condition best. Sock aids don't only help people with diabetes, but they also help people with arthritis, post-surgery, and anyone with low or limited back, leg, or arm mobility. Using sock aids will make it easier for you to put on your socks, less strain on your back, leg, arms, and hands, you're also protecting your body from future injury. 

The Best Sock Aids For Compression Stockings, Diabetic Socks, Seniors, & More

Sock aids aren't all made the same, but there are a lot of sock aids that you can choose from that are worth trying out. Here is a list of the best sock aids and a guide on using them. 

1. DSC Sock Aid Slider Kit (Easy On, Easy Off) - First off is the Diabetic Sock Club's sock aid kit. This sock aid includes a sock cradle and long handle that will allow you to quickly put on your socks without bending, twisting, or turning that can cause your body to hurt. The handle can also help remove your socks when you take them off. 

The sock aid works with various socks, including formal socks, casual socks, athletic socks, compression socks, and diabetic socks. These sock aids are also best for pregnant, injured, or have mobility issues. Its original price was $39.99, but it is now sold for $24.95. Here are the steps on how to use it:

Step 1: Place sock on the cradle.

Step 2: Lower the cradle to the floor. 

Step 3: Slide your foot in. 

2. RMS Original Deluxe Sock Aid With Foam Handles - You can find this sock aid on amazon, and it is highly rated! 

The sock aid is made out of a flexible and soft plastic shell for maximum comfort to be used efficiently. This sock aid is made for people with limited dexterity in their hands. The soft foam handles provide a comfortable and gentle grip.

This sock works for different feet and socks, and you can adjust the ropes to your desired length. If you don't think that this is the perfect sock aid for you, RMS offers a limited lifetime warranty to ensure that your experience as a customer is as good as it can be. Its original price was $15.99, but it is now sold for $14.97. Here are the steps on how to use it:

Step 1: Put your sock in the flexible plastic shell. 

Step 2: Put the aid on the ground. 

Step 3: Slip your toes in the sock opening. 

Step 4: Pull the straight aid back until your socks are on. 

3. Jobst Stocking Donner - This is an aid used for putting on compression stockings. This sock aid is designed to make putting on your compression stockings uncomplicated and hassle-free. This product is made out of a steel frame that the user can step into a seated or standing position. Thigh and waist-high stocking can also be done with the Jobst Stocking Donner. 

To make the stepping easier and so that the user won't be hurt, the product has foam handles that the user can hold onto. This sock aid works best for people who have calves that are 16- inches in circumference. Its price is $29.12 on amazon. Here are the steps on how to use the Jobst Stocking Donner according to Jobst company instructions:

Step 1: Place your compression stocking inside the semi-circle frame and pull the top of the sock down over the semi-circle. The heel of the stocking must face the back of your Jobst Stocking Donner. 

Step 2: Continue to slide the stocking down over the semi-circle until the heel is centered and even with the top of the semi-circle. (it may be necessary to pull the heel farther down depending on foot and stocking size) 

Step 3: While sitting, insert your foot into the stocking until your foot is entirely on the floor. 

Helpful tip: Hold the heel pocket against the frame as you slide your toes into the stocking. 

Step 4: Grasp the padded handles and gently pull the Jobst Stocking Donner and stocking up the leg until the stocking is above the calf. Try not to over-stretch the sock. 

Step 5: Pull the Jobst Stocking Donner backward and down, free of the stocking. 

Step 6: Be sure the stocking heel is placed correctly on foot, then adjust the length and smooth out any wrinkles by stroking and smoothing with the palm of your hands. 

4. RMS Sock Aid Kit - This kit will help you put on and remove your socks easily! It comes with a traditional sock assist consisting of a flexible plastic shell, rope cords, and foam handles, and it also includes a sock remover. 

This sock aid is made from a medical-grade plastic that features an easy-grip handle complete with a strap for those who have weak hands like seniors. Its bright blue design also makes it easy to find. This sock aid also works with many socks like stockings, crew socks, and ankle socks. Its price is $24.99 on Amazon, and here are the steps on how to put on the socks with the sock aid and remove your socks with the remover. 

Sock on:

Step 1: Sit in a comfortable chair with feet flat on the floor. Point the end of the "sock on" aid without ropes away from you and hold the "sock on" assistance between your knees. Pull sock/stocking over the end of the "sock on" aid in front of your foot on the floor. 

Step 2: Place "sock on" aid in front of your foot on the floor. 

Step 3: Insert toes into sock/stocking opening. 

Step 4: Pull straight back on the rope handles until toes are well into sock/stocking. 

Step 5: As you continue to pull towards your heel, pull on the ropes at an upward angle (toward the ceiling) 

Step 6: Continue to pull on the ropes, past the heel, until the sock comes off the "Sock on" aid. 

Sock off:

Step 1: Make yourself comfortable in a stable, seated position. Place the lanyard on your wrist. Then slide RMS "Sock off" doffer inside the top of the stocking on the inside or outside of your leg, whichever works better for you. 

Step 2: Gently slide the "Sock off" doffer down your leg to the heel. The hook on the outside will gather up the stocking as you move it down your leg. 

Step 3: At the heel, slide the "Sock off" doffer to the back of your heel and continue pushing the stocking off your leg. 

5. Sock Horse - Senior Sock Aid - If you struggle to reach your feet because of injury or recent surgery, this is the best sock aid for you! With the help of a sock horse, you don't need to bend over to reach for your feet. This sock aid helps you to put on socks quickly and with ease. It has soft grips that are perfect for all types of stockings. 

This sock aid has a ribbed thumb grip and a long ergonomic handle to reduce strain by giving you a better chance to reach your feet. Sock horses are perfect for people with back, knee, or hip pain, decreased flexibility (overweight, pregnant, etc.), or limited hand strength or dexterity. It also helps those with a handicap who need a wheelchair. Sock horse also doubles as a shoehorn. Its amazon price is $9.56, and here are the steps to use it. 

Step 1: Place Sock Horse between your legs with the handle leaning on the chest. 

Step 2: Stretch sock opening with the toe facing away, then drape the top of the sock over the rubber grips. 

Step 3: Put your foot into the opening and pull upward on the handle.

Step 4: Remove Sock Horse by pushing the handle forward and downward at the same time. 

Optional - Attach a nylon rope with a knot to extend the reach of the Sock Horse.

6. Homymusy Sock and Stocking aid - This sock aid is perfect for elderly, pregnant, disabled, and hip, knee, or back injuries. This sock aid works with all socks, and you can use this sock aid for putting on and removing your socks efficiently. You can put on your socks without bending or hurting your body. 

This sock aid is also suitable for people with mobility limitations and injuries. It has a gentle terry cloth that won't harm or scratch your legs when you are putting on socks and has nylon on the other side that reduces friction. Its amazon price is $8.99, and here are the steps to use it. 

Step 1: Hold sock aid in between the knee in a seat position. Draw the sock or stocking ultimately onto the hose, aid half the length of the cloth trough.

Step 2: Flip the sock aid out in front of the foot and not on the floor. Place toes through the opening.

Step 3: Pull straight back on the strap handles begin pulling in an upward angle towards the ceiling so the sock or stocking can be reached.

Step 4: Continue pulling on the straps until the sock aid pulls out of the sock or stocking.

7. Open Toe Compression Sock Aid for Easy Slide - This sock aid is perfect for pregnant women, the disabled, and the elderly. Putting on open-toe stockings can be difficult because it doesn't slide off easily on your legs, but with the help of this sock aid, you can put on your open-toe compression stockings with ease. 

This sock aid is designed to help open toe stockings slide with ease and smoothly onto your foot and over the ankle by reducing friction between the patient's skin and the compression stocking. With the help of this sock aid, you don't have to bend for an extended period and develop strain or back pain. This sock aid is made out of tear-resistant nylon that is reusable and durable. This is also good for people who have varicose veins, shin splints, calf cramps, calf strains, leg pain, swelling, edema, or leg fatigue. Its price is $9.99 on amazon. You need to put this sock aid on and slip your open-toe compression stockings through your legs. 

8. Mediven Butler Off - This is a compression sock aid that helps you remove your compression socks with ease. You don't need to worry about tugging off and bending to remove your compression socks. This sock aid is suitable for people recovering from surgery, injuries, those with limited mobility, and more. 

With the design of this sock aid, you can easily take it with you wherever you go when you travel so that you always have it on hand when you want to remove or change socks. This sock aid is also perfect for people that have problems bending at the waist. Its amazon price is $28.33. 

How to use it: From a stable sitting position, push the stocking downwards with the device as far as the heel and remove it from the foot with your hands. 

Conclusion

It’s wonderful that along with the rise of technology, there are amazing inventions being created to cater to people who have mobility issues caused by diabetes or any other types of condition. Having a sock aid kit will definitely add value to raising a patient’s quality of life. Having these options available means being able to function independently through tasks that any other person would be able to do with thinking twice about.