Compression stockings are specialized elastic hosiery designed to help increase circulation, venous blood flow velocity and valve effectiveness, while reducing the diameter of distended veins. This is accomplished by having the socks tightest at the ankles and gradually becoming looser higher on the calf, gently squeezing the legs to move blood up the legs to prevent swelling and venous stasis while helping to relieve discomfort from heavy and aching legs.
What is Poor Circulation?
Poor circulation can cause the blood to clot. Blood clots can be very dangerous and form in the veins of legs, arms and the groin. They can break loose and move to other parts of the body, including the lungs. Blood clots, also called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), most often occur in people who can’t move around well or who have had recent surgery or an injury. Older women and men are most at risk of DVT, but younger women can also be subject to it during childbearing years. Other risk factors are comprised of having had cancer or being treated for it, paralysis or stroke, bad veins, a family member who has had a blood clot, taking long trips for durations longer than an hour in a car, airplane, bus or train, being obese, or taking hormones. It is extremely important to know the signs and symptoms of DVT and acquire appropriate treatment right away.
Symptoms of a blood clot can be new swelling in an arm or leg, skin redness, soreness or pain in an arm or leg, or a warm spot on a leg. A blood clot may have gone to the lungs if a person is suddenly having a hard time breathing, or experiences chest pain, a fast heartbeat, fainting spells, a mild fever, or a cough with or without blood. This is called a pulmonary embolism. At this point, an individual should seek medical help immediately.
Efficacious ways to help prevent blood clots are to wear special stockings called compression stockings, wear loose-fitting clothing, raise the legs 6 inches above the heart from time to time, do exercises given by a doctor, do not sit or stand for more than 1 hour at a time, eat less salt, try not to bump or hurt the legs, try not to cross the legs, do not use a pillow under the knees, raise the bottom of the bed 4-6 inches with blocks or books, and take all medicines the doctor prescribes.
What are Compression Stockings?
Compression stockings are a specialized hosiery designed to help prevent venous disorders from occurring. They can also guard against venous disorders from progressing further. Unlike traditional dress or athletic stockings, compression stockings use stronger elastics to create significant pressure on the feet, ankles, and legs. They are tightest at the ankles and gradually become less constricting toward the knees and upper leg. This helps reduce the enlargement of veins and arteries, increasing circulation, which means more blood returns to the heart and less blood pools at the feet.
Since compression stockings are made of elastic fibers to help with circulation, they come in different levels of compression, and the unit of measure used to categorize the pressure is mmHg. Over the counter compression ranges from 10-15 mmHg and 15-20 mmHg. With the advice of a medical professional, the compression ranges from 20-30 mmHg, 30-40 mmHg, 40-50 mmHg and 50+ mmHg. For custom made support, compression ranges from 18-21 mmHg, 23-32 mmHg, 34-46 mmHg, and >50 mmHg.
The sports science industry has also adopted the utilization of compression wear. Various clothing have been developed to improve muscle efficiency by stabilizing muscles and improving circulation and lactic acid removal. Compression stockings are available in a wide range of colors, styles and sizes, making them unable to be distinguished from regular hosiery or socks.
They also come in two types, gradient and anti-embolism. Gradient compression stockings are designed to fix circulation problems caused by the leg vein valves not working properly. These stockings are made in such a way so that the compression level is highest around the ankle and lessens as it goes to the top of the hose. They are typically recommended for those who are likely to get blood clots, lower limb edema, and blood pooling in the legs and feet from extended periods of inactivity or sitting. But athletes can benefit from these stockings as well.
They are worn by those who are able to walk, assisting the calf muscles to perform their pumping action more efficiently to return blood back to the heart. In some cases, gradient compression stockings are worn by those who are at increased risk of circulatory problems, such as diabetics. Diabetic’s legs are prone to excessive swelling. Chronic peripheral venous insufficiency is a common indicator for the prescription of these stockings. This is where the veins cannot pump enough blood back to the heart.
Anti-embolism compression stockings are commonly referred to as TED hose, ThromboEmbolism-Deterrent hose. They are used to support the lymphatic and venous drainage of the legs. Anti-embolism stockings, like gradient compression stockings, deliver an even amount of compression from the ankle up the leg. This compression helps in circulating lymph fluid and blood through the legs in people not able to move around.
What Health Conditions Respond Favorably to Compression Stockings?
Compression stocking can be used:
• when the legs are tired and aching because of slow blood flow in the legs, which can be an indicator of deep vein thrombosis. DVT can lead to blood clot formation.
• when poor circulation causes blood and/or tissue fluid to pool in the legs.
• when the veins cannot pump blood back to the heart, called chronic peripheral venous insufficiency.
• when varicose veins have developed. They will not go away on their own and are an externally visible sign of venous weakness.
• when spider veins are visible. They are the smallest blood vessels and shimmer bluish or reddish through the skin.
• when a body part swells due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid, called lymphedema. This occurs when the normal drainage of lymph fluid back into the blood is interrupted, causing swelling in the arms, legs, neck, or abdomen.
• when phlebitis has developed. This is inflammation and clotting in a vein due to inflammation, infection or trauma. It happens most often in a vein of the legs.
• when blood flow slows down through the veins due to a traveler’s inactivity, gravity, and cramped seating on long flights. This is referred to as economy class syndrome.
• when there is inflammation of subcutaneous fat, called lipodermatosclerosis.
• during a pregnancy because hormones are released and the uterus expands, putting pressure on the major vein that returns blood up to the heart.
How Can I Stay Healthier?
When stuck in the same position for a long period of time, get up and walk around every one to two hours. Contracting the leg muscles while seated can also help. If the legs must be immobile for a week or longer, talk to a doctor about blood circulation. Smoking should be avoided, and keep the weight at normal limits. Drinking lots of water can help lower the risk of blood clots.
Rehabmart is pleased to offer an extensive line of compression stockings from high quality vendors such as BSN and Juzo.
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO
lb
