Compression hosiery is an important tool in the health care of many people. Varicose veins, poor circulation, pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis, and diabetes are just a few conditions that can result in pain and edema in the legs. While these conditions are usually associated only with the overweight and elderly, people of any age can develop problems with their legs that can be treated through the use of specialized medical legwear.
Graduated compression socks work by providing firmer compression at the ankle and base of the leg, measured in mmHg, which gradually lessens on the way up the leg. The graduated compression reduces the pain and swelling of edema, and helps support the blood vessels and aid in proper blood circulation. Ensuring good health and proper blood circulation in the legs is the best way that a diabetic or other patient can take care of his feet and reduce the risk of injury, infection, and even lower limb amputation.
When choosing compression support hosiery, there are two very important considerations that you will need to keep in mind. The first is the size of the socks that you buy. Compression socks need to be carefully measured for your particular legs, otherwise you run the risk of them being too tight or bunching up, both of which can result in the sock acting like a tourniquet, cutting off blood circulation.
The second consideration is how much pressure the medical compression hosiery will exert on your legs. While it is best that you work with your doctor to determine the ideal level of compression for you, most medical compression hosiery will fall in the range of about 15 – 40 mm/Hg, with the greatest compression at the ankle. Higher compression socks are available by prescription if your doctor decides that they are necessary.
There are quite a few different varieties of compression hosiery to choose from, depending on your specific style and needs. For men, there are knee-high compression socks that look just like normal dress socks. In contrast, there are also pantyhose-like compression hosiery that covers the entire length of the leg. Depending on your style, they also come in a variety of colors, from beige to black to sheer.
There are many different manufacturers of medical compression hose, and you should expect to pay between $15 and $30 for a quality pair of compression stockings, depending on the style, brand, and level of compression that you need. You will also need to keep in mind that the elastic will eventually wear out, so they will need to be replaced every three to six months or so. Still, the benefits that they have to offer for anyone with circulation problems in their legs make them more than worth the investment.
