Air travel and swollen feet

When you’re flying, you remain seated and inactive for a long period of time. This can have a negative effect on your ankles and feet – a situation that may be exacerbated by existing foot problems or certain medical conditions.

Swollen feet can be painful and uncomfortable, but there’s another very serious risk to sitting still for hours at a time: deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). This occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, forms in the deep-lying veins, usually in the larger lower veins of the legs. The result may be a blockage of an artery in the lungs (pulmonary embolus), acute heart failure and sudden death.

You’re at increased risk if you recently underwent surgery (especially surgery affecting the lower limbs or abdomen), if you’re taking birth control pills or other hormonal therapy, or if you have a history of blood clots.

People who are obese or pregnant, who smoke, or who have heart failure or varicose veins are also susceptible to swelling and clots. These may become even more of a risk if you:

• Sit or sleep in a cramped position during the flight.
• Are dehydrated (often a result of drinking too much alcohol).
• Experience compression of the vein behind the knee by the edge of the seat.

If any of the above-mentioned conditions or circumstances apply to you, it’s important to seek medical care before you get on the plane.

If you’re at risk for blood clots in the legs, your doctor will most likely recommend compression stockings. These can assist in preventing swelling of the ankles and feet and may improve the blood return to the body from the lower legs. The stockings may be purchased from medical and surgical-supply companies, and will need to be individually fitted to your leg measurements.

In some instances, blood-thinning tablets may be necessary.

A few last tips
So, what else can you do to ensure that, when the plane touches tarmac, you’re ready to go? Podiatrist Dr Brandon Maggen has a few more tips on how to relieve swollen feet during a flight:

• Wear loose-fitting clothing.
• Take a short walk down the aisle every hour or so.
• Frequently flex and extend your ankles and knees while you're seated.
• Shift your position in your seat as much as possible, being careful to avoid crossing your legs.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
• Avoid alcohol and sedatives, which could make you too sleepy to walk around the cabin.