LEARN ABOUT VASCULAR COMPRESSION STOCKINGS

Unlike traditional dress or athletic stockings and socks, compression stockings use stronger elastics to create significant pressure on the legs, ankles and feet. Compression stockings are tightest at the ankles and gradually become less constrictive towards the knees and thighs. By compressing the surface veins, arteries and muscles, the circulating blood is forced through narrower circulatory channels. As a result, the arterial pressure is increased, which causes more blood to return to the heart and less blood to pool in the feet.

Compression stockings are specialized hosiery designed to help prevent the occurrence of, and guard against further progression of venous disorders such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis.

There are two (2) types of compression stockings:

1. Gradient,
   and
2. Anti-embolism

Gradient Compression Stockings

Doctors will typically recommend these stockings for those who are prone to blood clots, lower limb edema, and blood pooling in the legs and feet from prolonged periods of sitting or inactivity. They are worn by those who are ambulatory in most cases, where they assist the calf muscles to perform their pumping action more efficiently to return blood to the heart. In some cases, they are worn by those at increased risk of circulatory problems, such as diabetics, whose legs are prone to excessive swelling.

Gradient compression stockings are woven in such a way that the compression level is highest around the ankle and lessens towards the top of the hose.

Low pressure compression stockings are available without prescription in most countries. It is crucial that compression stockings are properly sized. The compression should gradually reduce from the highest compression at the smallest part of the ankle, until a 70% reduction of pressure just below the knee.

Anti-Embolism Compression Stockings

These stockings are commonly referred to as T.E.D. hose, which is a registered brand name. Like gradient compression stockings, anti-embolism stockings deliver a distributed amount of compression at the ankle and up the leg. This compression, when combined with the muscle pump effect of the calf, aids in circulating blood and lymph fluid through the legs (in non-ambulatory patients).

Compression wear has also been adopted by the sports science industry. Various garments have been developed to improve the efficiency of muscles by stabilizing muscles and improving circulation/ lactic acid removal. Today, compression stockings are available in a wide range of opacities, colors, styles and sizes, making them virtually indistinguishable from regular hosiery or socks.

Typical Reasons for Use

Treatment is usually prescribed by a physician to relieve all manifestations of chronic venous disease and prevent venous troubles. Compression stockings are often recommended by physicians under the following conditions:

• Tired, aching legs - occurs when the blood flow slows down in the legs (can be an indicator of deep vein thrombosis).
• Edema (Mild ankle/foot swelling) - When blood and/or tissue fluid pool in the legs and feet due to poor circulation.
• Chronic peripheral venous insufficiency - Veins cannot pump deoxygenated blood to the heart.
• Varicose veins - Saccular and distended veins which can expand considerably and may cause painful venous inflammation. Once developed, it will not disappear on its own. The formation of varicose veins is an externally visible sign of venous weakness.
• Spider Veins (mild varicosities) - The smallest cutaneous blood vessels which shimmer bluish/reddish through the skin.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - Occurs when blood flow decreases (especially in the lower extremities), causing blood to pool in the legs and leading to blood clot (thrombus) formation.
• Lymphedema - When a body part swells due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid, occurring when there is interference with the normal drainage of lymph fluid back into the blood, commonly swelling the arm, leg, neck or abdomen.
• Phlebitis - Inflammation and clotting in a vein, most often a leg vein, due to infection, inflammation, or trauma. People with varicose veins are more often affected. Inflammation occurs suddenly, causing the thrombus to adhere firmly to the vein wall, which can clog a superficial vein.
• Long Haul Flying/Economy Class Syndrome (ECS) - Occurs on long flight, due to traveler's inactivity, gravity, and cramped seating, which slows down the blood flow through veins.
• Lipodermatosclerosis - Inflammation of subcutaneous fat, form of panniculitis.
• Pregnancy - Hormones released during pregnancy and the expanding uterus (pressure on the Inferior Vena Cava - the major vein returning blood up to the heart) can affect leg veins.