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About Compression Hosiery

Compression stockings, or vascular compression garments are designed to aid in vascular return of the lower extremities. Essentially they are tight socks, stockings or panty hose. They help to squeeze fluids in the tissues back into the circulatory system and aid the veins in returning blood back to the heart.


These medical devices may be prescribed for individuals with mild swelling, varicose veins or even tired legs. People who sit for prolonged times such as air travelers, or who are on their feet for extended periods could benefit from compression hosiery. We will take detailed measurements and provide you with the appropriate sizing and style for your specific application.
 

Causes and Risk Factor

In most cases, leg problems do not just occur 'out of the blue.' There are typical warning signs such as:

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  • First signs of small varicose veins

  • Swollen ankles

  • Feeling of tension, cramps, fatigue or even pain in the calves

  • Numbness, hot, heavy and/or tired legs

This could have been caused by many factors but not limited to:

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  • Heredity

  • Age (35+)

  • Prolonged sitting or standing (Occupation)

  • Surgery or Trauma

  • Infectious Disease

  • Obesity

  • Pregnancy

  • Lifestyle

How Does Compression Hosiery Work?

Compression therapy is the application of external pressure to the limb to reduce venous pressure within the limb.
This means wearing socks or stockings that are specially designed to support your veins and increase circulation. To be most effective, the socks or stockings should be put on at the start of your day and removed before you go to bed.

 

Remember that the heart attempts to pump blood against gravity up the veins of the legs. As a person walks, the regular contraction and relaxation of the calf muscles around the veins are necessary to help move blood towards the heart.

 

Some people have an inherited weakness of the vein walls or valves which create additional challenges to venous circulation. Wearing compression socks or stockings is vital for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins and other circulatory problems, especially for individuals who are at risk.

Is Compression Hosiery Right For You?

Do you work in a position that requires you to constantly be on your feet or the complete opposite of being in your chair for extended periods of time? Does this cause tired, aching legs? Swollen and pain in your ankles? Signs of varicose veins?

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Effective methods for the treatment of venous disorders are readily available. Your physician can provide a diagnosis to correctly assess the course and severity of your condition, and to take appropriate therapeutic measures.

Compression stockings are recommended under the following conditions but not limited to:

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Tired, aching legs

  • Tired, aching legs occur when the blood flow slows down in the legs (can be an indicator of deep vein thrombosis).

Edema

  • When any combination of blood or tissue fluid, pool in the legs and feet due to poor circulation.

Venous insufficiency

  • This is when the veins cannot pump deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Varicose veins

  • Varicose veins are saccular and distended veins which can expand considerably and may cause painful venous inflammation. Once developed, will not disappear on its own. The formation of varicose veins is an externally visible sign of venous weakness.

Spider Veins (mild varicosities)

  • Spider Veins are the smallest cutaneous blood vessels which shimmer bluish or reddish through the skin.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

  • Deep vein thrombosis 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.

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.

  • The use of elastic compression stockings can reduce volumetric variations during standing hours. The use of stockings for the entire day is more effective than just half the day or not using compression stockings at all. Many physicians and vein specialists recommend wearing compression stockings after varicose vein stripping, but studies show that wearing an elastic compression has no additional benefit following elastic bandaging for three days in post-operative care after stripping of the great saphenous vein as assessed by control of limb, oedema, pain, complications and return to work.

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*It is recommended that you consult with your physician before wearing compression 20 mmHg and above.*

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