Keeping your legs comfortable on long trips

Date Posted:1 April 2016 

On long journeys, cramped legs can cause discomfort. Some travelers, including frequent flyers, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals who have undergone recent surgery or have limited mobility, are also more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. This is a condition in which a blood clot forms within a vein, usually in the legs. Signs and symptoms include pain, swelling, and redness.

To reduce discomfort and the risk of DVT, remember to:

  • Perform foot and leg exercises every half hour, including heal and toe lifts, knee raises, and foot rotations
  • Hydrate
  • Elevate feet
  • Take a walk around the plane cabin when possible
  • Wear compression socks, which encourage blood to be pumped back up to the heart where it can be distributed evenly. Read more about compression socks, or purchase them here.