Compression Stockings

This site is designed to give an overview. Mostly in simple terminology it covers all the basics you need to know before going to commercial websites to buy and it helps you to understand when your Doctor is talking to you about this subject. The information here is a reference tool - Always consult your Doctor before buying, using, or wearing.

What Are They?

They are specially designed leg wear that assist with blood flow in the legs. Specifically they treat deficiencies in a persons musculovenous pump - the official way of saying valves in the veins of the legs. These stockings are commonly prescribed to patients that have a high potential of having blood flow issues within their legs. These issues include clots, pooling, and/or edema. They are designed for use by people that are mobile and able to get around. These are not made for people that are bed-ridden.

Important Terms Definitions?

There are many not so common terms. It is a good idea to define these in simple terminology for the everyday consumer/patient:

1. Ankle Brachial Index (ABI). This is a ratio calculation that compares a persons blood pressure in their lower legs to the blood pressure in their arms. The target is to assist with deficient blood flow from the leg vein valves then it would stand to reason that the blood pressure in the legs without should be less than the normal blood pressure found in the arms. This stands to reason and is a calculation that can be given to you by your doctor. In the end if you have an ABI greater than 1 then it is acceptable to use them. But be forewarned you need your Doctors permission first. OK that is not true you can buy these without a prescription but you would not be very smart if you did. They are powerful tools to help you but you need to make certain they are meant for you. Always consult you Doctor before ever buying, using,or wearing them.

2. Edema. Most people refer to this as swelling. It is a term used to describe the situation when you have an abnormal amount of fluid beneath the skin. In the legs it appears as swelling and oftentimes leaves the legs with a strange feel when touched. When someone has Edema in the legs it is not unusual to be able to push on a spot in the legs only to have it remain depressed even after lifting your hand/finder. It then slowly returns to the swollen size. For those born prior to 1960's you will remember that Edema was once more commonly referred to as dropsy and hydropsy.

3. Anti Embolism. Well and embolus from the root of embolism is any mass that is carried by the circulatory vein system in the body. An Embolism is when an embolus (a mass) gets stuck in that circulatory system. Therefore anti-embolism is something that stops any mass from getting stuck in the circulatory vein system within the body.

There are two primary types of compression stockings.

1. Gradient type compression stockings are purchased and worn by those that are specifically trying to make up for poorly functioning leg vein valves. These particular type are tighter at the bottom and looser at the top thus forcing and assisting the leg vein valves in getting the blood up and into the rest of the circulatory system. These symptoms are oftentimes found in those that are not very active thought the stockings themselves are made for those that are mobile and not confined to a bed or wheelchair.

2. Anti-embolism. These are also called Thrombo Embolic Deterrent TED stockings. These are primarily targeted toward helping with Deep vein Thrombosis (DET). These come in a variety of pressures and before wearing them you need to consult your Doctor. These types of therapeutic materials need to be put on correctly and need to have a very precise amount of pressure not only to work but also to make certain you are not doing more damage. Once again the warning s that these are powerful and effective but get your Doctors input before buying. Just because they do not need a prescription does not mean they are good for you in all shapes sizes and circumstances.

What conditions warrant use?

You most often hear of people using them when they have the following conditions:

1. Deep Vein Thrombosis also known as DVT. Just as the name implies it is a problem deep in the vein. A thrombus is a clot. Therefore deep vein thrombosis is a clot in a vein that is located deep in the leg.

2. Edema. We already covered Edema earlier. It is where you have excess fluid in the legs. It is not uncommon for the leg to leak or when you press your finger on the leg you will leave an impression that will slowly return to normal after pressed.

3. Varicose Veins. These are normally surface veins that are not pumping blood properly. The compression stockings properly applied assist in the pumping of the blood and therefore are considered a treatment. Varicose veins can oftentimes hurt when a person sits or stands for a long period of time thus the use of them in a mobile patient can help. Consult your Doctor.

4. Chronic Venous Insufficiency also known as CVI. This is a condition where the vein cannot specifically pump enough of the oxygen in the blood and therefore not enough oxygen returns to the heart. This is primarily caused by deficient vein valves. Once again not enough blood is flowing through the circulatory vein system hence the need for the assistance of compression therapy.

5. Lipodermatosclerosis is more of a surface condition. But it is caused by defective circulatory blood flow. The blood does not flow properly and expels substances from the veins such as fibrin. This causes a surface, painful condition but they help the underlying cause. Consult your doctor.

6. Lymphedema. This is simply as the name suggests a condition that is triggered by a deficiency in the lymphatic system causing excess fluid (edema). For the record the lymphatic system is the part of the circulatory system that recirculates blood back to through the heart and back out to the rest of the body.

What symptoms do compression stockings treat?

The common issue throughout the above conditions is the needs to assist circulation in the legs. These do just that they squeeze the leg and also give out, then squeeze again as you are moving about your day. This extra squeeze assists the vein valves just enough to get your blood pumped back up into the rest of your body. Quite ingenious really and a very powerful tool to assist in your comfort and ease of mobility. Once again consult your Doctor. There are ways that they can harm you if not used properly as with anything of course.

What intensities are there?  

No too a little bit of the technical details. This is yet another place where you need your Doctor to instruct you. The fibers in them have different levels of compression. The levels of required compression depend on your condition and severity of condition. The pressure n the various stockings are measured in manometer units. Let's not go into the details of how each unit of measurement is calculated. The basics are that 1 mmHg is the pressure present at the bottom of a precise 1mm tall vial of fluid where the fluid has a specific density as well as a specific gravity. No need to worry about this just know the higher the number the more the pressure. Lower pressure ones can be purchased over the counter and higher pressure ones are only available by prescription.

What styles are there?

Of course we all need to know a little about how these will look when worn. For women there are many styles that look very much like normal hosiery For men it depends on your Doctors direction. You may get away with ones that are knee high but if you need the added assistance you may have to wear thigh high ones, these of course you would want to wear with pants. Consult your Doctor for the proper type for your condition.

Cautions before self buying.

This is the last section to give some warnings. There are a lot of places to buy these compression stockings on the Internet as well as from medical supply stores. The key is DO NOT just go out and buy some. You never know if the store is pushing a certain brand like Sigvaris Compression Stockings these are medical tools and need precise application. Not only do you need the correct pressure, type, size you also need to know precisely how to put them on. There is a precise way to put these on so you do not have complications. Do not misunderstand these are great tools and easy to wear but you need to know how to do it properly. Do not make the mistake of doing it however you want that is a mistake. You are buying and wearing these for your health – do it right.