Holding up your catheter, especially while walking around, is hugely important for a number of reasons. First and foremost you need to prevent any pulling and tugging on your catheter. Above all else you need to prevent that since it can not only pull the thing out of you, but cause you huge amounts of pain and possible damage.
You need a good way to hold your catheter in place if you plan to do any walking around. If you don’t do it right, things will start slipping down your leg and pulling, causing you pain.
So you need to secure the catheter to your body – usually your leg – in some fashion. There are a few different types of catheter holders, usually called catheter securement devices – available out there.
Until VERY recently (it’s Apr 25th, 2017 as I type this) they come in two main varieties: stretchy fabric leg bands with velcro that just stay on your leg sort of like nylon stockings, through elastic tightness around your leg. The second kind sticks directly to your leg like tape. The third and newest (and by far the best) solution is a way to suspend the bag from a belt.
Since I wrote this first wrote this article in 2013, the focus was on the old tech. In 2017, I’m going to start with the best.
The Hang-From-a-Belt Solution
The Freedom Belt
As of now, there is only one product available in this category – The Freedom Belt. I wrote a full post about this here – Get Active Again With The Freedom Belt.
There are several huge benefits of the Freedom belt over and above any of the other solutions, including my former favorite – the Gip-Lok (described below).
First, no matter how heavy the bag gets (actually “bags” – this thing can, if necessary, carry up to 8 total drainage bags for a wide variety of medical procedures), they will not slide down your leg, pulling on your catheter tube.
Second, you only have to buy one. And at $49.95, you pay as much as you would for 5 Grip-Loks or 7 Statlocks (both described below).
The Stick-To-Your-Leg Type
In the stick-to-your-leg category, I was fortunate enough to be sent home wearing a particular kind of securement device called the Grip-Lok 3400LFC (LFC = Large Foley Catheter). It is basically a sticker that has two velcro straps on top of it.
These work extremely well for holding the catheter in place while you are wearing a leg bag, especially if you have a Foley catheter, which has two outlets you can use sort of like a hook between the velcro straps. See the drawing on the left. And of course they work well at night to prevent the bedside drainage bag from pulling on the catheter.
If you don’t have a Foley catheter with two outlets (see the picture), you will have to do something extra to keep the catheter tube from sliding up and down under the strap.
For example, I was originally sent home with a pigtail catheter, not a Foley. Pigtails only have one outlet since there is no balloon on at the other end to inflate (which is what the second outlet on a Foley is for). Pigtails are held in place by the curled-over shape of the portion of the catheter that is inside your bladder, and in my case, a stitch through my skin as well.
So even though you can secure the catheter to your leg, downward pressure such as is exerted by a leg bag can easily pull the catheter down through the hole in the securement device, especially as the bag fills up and gets heavier. Actually, this is true of any type of securement device.
In that case, what I ended up doing was wrapping a bunch of tape around the tubing above the securement device that was wider than the opening so it wouldn’t be pulled down through it. See my post Tip For Wearing A Leg Bag With A Suprapubic Catheter for more details, and illustration, on how I did this.
A similar product tot he Grip-Lok is something called the Statlock, which has a swivel connector. These sticker things usually can be used for a few days before they no longer stick to your leg.
The Stretch-Fabric Leg Band Type
Just to test them out, I tried using one of the velcro ones today while walking around. All I can say is – oh hell no!
I hadn’t walked half-way across the room before it had slipped down my leg a bit and started putting tension on the catheter.
The only thing you can do is stretch it tighter, which works only a little better (I could walk across the entire room before it started slipping), but you can only make it so tight before it starts getting really uncomfortable and even cutting off your circulation.
Where the stretchy leg band would work well
This type of leg band, however, would work really well if used in combination with something like the Freedom Belt! The belt would hold the bag up, so the leg band wouldn’t have to do that job. For folks who don’t want the tube to be to loose, but who hate putting an uncomfortable sticker on their leg, a Dale leg band used together with a Freedom Belt might be just the right thing.
Now I realize there are many folks in the catheter-wearing community who cannot walk, and the stretch-fabric type of securement device might be preferable to you, especially if you do not like having something taped to your skin. But if you are lucky enough to be able to walk, I cannot recommend using one of these. Stick (no pun intended) to the other type. [update: I tried using a stretch leg band while sleeping last night. At first I thought it would be just fine – even better than my GRIP-Lok. But I woke up several times in the night with pain at the insertion site because the band not only turned sideways, but also worked its way down my leg a bit and was pretty loose. The bag was still hooked to the side of my bed, but the relatively heavy thicker tubing on the bedside bag was enough to pull on my “cath-hole” and cause pain. So all-in-all, I think that unless you cannot use the tape-type holders on your skin, the stretch-fabric leg band is not a great idea.]
There is also foam type similar to the stretch-fabric type, but I have not tried one of those. If you have, let us know how they work in the comments.
As soon as I ran out, I tried to find more GRIP-Loks, only to be very disappointed. They were REALLY hard to find commercially available. And if you do manage to find them, usually on a medical supply website, they’re typically only sold in boxes of 100, costing around $400 dollars or so. Yow!! That might well be worth it, though, if you have a super long-term catheter – or must have one for the rest of your life.
But GOOD NEWS – I found a place where you can order the Grip-Lok singly, as in you can buy just one if you want:).
They go for $9.95 per sticker.
I found that one of these would last me almost an entire week.
If you have any tips or tricks for holding your catheter in place, please comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
Cheers!
Ken
This website is amazing and I must say that I feel fortunate compared to other situations I see written about here. I have entered my second week with a foley catheter. While I certainly know the feeling of the catheter bag sliding down my leg from walking, here is a different perspective.
My first catheter was held in place with a sticky tape. My next two were held in place with elastic bands.
When the ones with elastic bands was put on, it was very uncomfortable and I was miserable. But over time it moved around and I was able to position it into a more comfortable position. I’m basically more comfortable pointing down, where the doctor (& nurse) put it on with my penis pointing up. If that were taped on, I never would have been able to adjust everything to a more comfortable position.
The first catheter was put on with me pointing down, so while the whole thing was depressing, at least I had one less discomfort.
In other words, the elastic bands are good because they allow you to adjust the tubes and bag into a (somewhat) comfortable position. If you are experienced, then I guess you know what that position is for you, and you can tape down the tubes.
Also, you may like to change positioning depending on whether you are sleeping sitting or walking. You can do that with the elastic bands.
Thanks Howie. Good points. Thanks for your perspective on the matter! People can do both and get all the benefits:). You have the security of the sticky anchor if you plan to walk and be mobile. But you can easily unfasten from that and use the stretchy velcro if you are less mobile. Having had a couple of scary “near-misses” with sudden strong yanks on my tube, I don’t think I could ever personally trust the velcro exclusively. But it does offer advantages I hadn’t thought of – especially for folks who won’t be doing a lot of “normal” daily activity while catheterized.
Thanks again!
Ken
I have been wearing a Foley indwelling catheter for seven months. I have tried many different products to hold the leg bag secure to my leg and stop the bag from slipping. I found nothing until I tried the the “catheter Caddy which I found on amazon.com. There are three different kinds of Caddy bags. I do not use the belt that comes with the Caddy. I put it on my own belt through the loops on my pants and put the leg bag inside the caddy. It is not perfect but it will stop the catheter from sliding down the leg.
Thanks for that tip Ron! I’ll check it out.
Ken
I am interested in buying the strech leg bands with velcro, but I couldn’t find it in a product list. I only have and would lijke replacements. I don’t like the sticky ones, since they annoy my leg So I am interested inthe strech leg bands with velcro if you have them for sale, or let me knowwhere I can purchase some. Thank you
Rosalie,
I don’t sell things directly. But I think what you want are these – Foley Catheter Legband Holder. I hope that helps.
Ken
I have to agree with the earlier comment that I was very uncomfortable with a sticky catheter holder since it gave me no option (and damaged my skin) . I found the elastic leg bands to be very comfortable. They do move a bit but I can adjust them from the pocket of my pants which is crucial. I often need to adjust them a bit depending on whether I am sitting or standing. The Foley Catheter Holder DAL316 ($5-$7) has been wonderful the last three months.
I have an idea for a catheter holder but no way of making it happen. My father is 97 and has a suprapubic cath. We’ve tried many ways of trying to get the leg bag to hold up but it’s a constant worry to him. I finally found something that works “for us” and would like to know what you think.
Thanks MaryAnn! I’m curious.
I have an indwelling catheter fitted, with a tap, not a bag. I attach it to my upper thigh with a band, and that is o.k. for normal every day getting around.
My problem is, I would like to resume cycling again, but a trial run didn’t last long. I found that although the catheter remained in place, the up and down movement of my legs caused the catheter pipe to go in and out of my ‘male member’, causing me soreness which got worse the longer I rode.
Anyone got a helpful suggestion?
Reginald – For that particular activity, it may be tough to prevent what you are describing. It happens (the in/out) multiple times during the night (as you get erections naturally while you sleep) and likely in the day as well (just natural ebb/flow of blood, etc.). I would clean the area daily and put ointment on there to ease the effect of the movement. Sometimes I used Neosporin with “pain relief” medication in it. That might help. It might also help to use a sticker instead of a stretchy band, which will have less give – won’t be able to slide up and down your leg as much.
One other thing that might help if you can find one is a different kind of seat for your bike. I wrote about one of these here: https://livingwithacatheter.com/bicycle-seat-help-prevent-urethral-stricture/ Hope some of this helps!
Hi Ken.
I am fortunate that I only have to have a catheter for a short time. The Velcro bands are OK as the bag is only 500ml size and takes about 1.5 2 hrs to fill. My problem is the in/out of the tube in the penis. So just wondering if you could clarify a bit more on this part of securing the tube to minimise movement when walking. Also the friction pain that can arise even though I have a tube of lidocane gel that helps but wears away.
Mike
Limerick Ireland
Hi Mike,
I used the Grip-Lok (very secure leg sticker) to secure the end of the catheter tube to my leg. My goal was leave enough slack between the Grip-Lok and penis so as to not cause pulling if I was standing up or moving around, but not so much that there was too much extra, which – yeah – can cause it to slide in and out a bit more. You just have to find the right balance of how much slack is JUST enough to keep it from pulling too tight when you stand up or are walking. As for the pain of the sliding in and out, it was just a matter of keeping the tube clean and smooth and slippery in the section that went in and out. The gunk inside (of your penis) can coat the tube and dry, causing it to be rough, which then causes pain. That usually built up overnight. So in the morning I cleaned it thoroughly with an alcohol pad. Then I would coat the tube with neosporin ointment or vaseline, which kept it more slippery. Hope that helps!
What works best if the leg bag is worn on the inner thigh? The catheter tugs and is very uncomfortable & irritating
I never wore mine on the inner thigh. I used the long tube and wore the bag above my ankle on the outside of my leg. That felt the most comfortable and natural to me.
I have been catheterized for 6 1/2 years. I’ve tried all types of the standard securement devices and found them all unsatisfactory. The tapes irritated my skin, anchoring to my leg always caused some pulling with certain motions, the straps never stayed in place. I also wear kafo leg braces and securing the catheter to my thigh always interfered with my leg brace.. My urethra was always irritated. I started experimenting with genital bandaging which was effective, secure and comfortable. But the gauze would soon become wet from the normal discharge and needed to be completely changed sometimes more than once a day. I found my solution, comfort, security, protection from urethral irritation, long term wear with little maintenance: male chastity device. I even checked it over with my urologist and she heartily approved. I no longer use a leg bag. I stow my night bag in a cross-chest messenger bag. The strap is long enough to allow it to hang just below bladder level. I often cover my tube with 1″ stockinette.
Thanks for that tip, Michael! Thanks for your comment. I’m intrigued. What is a male chastity device? Is there a brand or model you prefer?
I have lived with a supra pubic catheter for just under two months and suffered many of the problems of anchoring discussed above. As others have mentioned, just a little force on the catheter tube can cause great discomfort. To minimize that discomfort I have found it most helpful to anchor the tube to my abdomen a few inches from where it comes out and with an inch or two of slack. (As recommended in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwUD4R3W6NY).
My big problem has been sensitivity to tape. If the tape adhered well, it would cause ulcers in just a a few days. I think that I finally found a combination of tapes that suit the purpose. I place a 3″x3″ 3M Microfoam tape on my abdomen and then anchor the tube to that with several strips of Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape. The Microfoam tape breathes and appears to be sufficiently compliant that there are no stress concentrations to rip the skin.
This solution appears to work for me and there are no guarantees that it will work for others, but it might be worth giving a try.
Thanks or that tip Dan! I’m sure it will help others.