Compression Stockings: How to Choose the Correct Pair

Compression stockings are available in many variations including compression levels, styles, colors and brands. Choosing the correct pair for you needs can be overwhelming with all the choices. Web site such as www.TheLaserVeinCenter.com can offer over 400 variations of compression stockings.  This article will attempt to simplify the choices and help the consumer make the correct choice.

First let us identify the reason for wearing compression stockings. People wear compression stockings for a multitude of reasons that include the following:

·         Daily wear for prevention of leg fatigue while on the job

·         Prevention of tire achy legs

·         Relief of leg swelling (especially during pregnancy)

·         For travel when sitting in one position for extended period of time

·         Treatment or prevention of varicose veins

·         Treatment of other venous disorders such as Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) or Post Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS)

·         Post venous surgery or sclerotherapy

·          Treatment of lymphedema

Identifying this reason will allow you to choose the compression level. This should be the first factor in choosing the correct stocking. This criterion is probably the most important and will diminish your choices immensely.  Compression levels of compression levels are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).  Compression levels for compression stockings are associated with their application ranging from very light compression to heavy medical grade compression levels.  The following are the common compression levels and recommended applications:

·         8-15 mmHg – Light compression. Tired, Achy and fatigued Legs and activities requiring long periods of sitting or standing.

·         15-20 mmHg – Therapeutic compression level. Relief from spider veins, minor leg swelling, tired achy legs, minor varicose veins and following sclerotherapy.

·         20-30 mmHg – Light medical grade compression. Leg fatigue with heaviness, varicose veins without edema, varicose veins during pregnancy and following sclerotherapy.

·         30-40 mmHg – Medium medical grade compression.  Achy, heaviness and fatigued legs from varicose veins. Following venous surgery or procedure. Treatment of varicose veins complications and chronic venous insufficiency. Venous ulcers or non healing venous wounds and lymphedema.

·         40-50 mmHg – Heavy medical grade compression.  Severe degrees or complication from the above applications.

Please note that it is not recommended to wear compression stockings with a compression level higher than 15-20 mmHg without first consulting a physician.

Now that you have decided which compression level that is optimal for your purpose you will need to decide what style you choose. Compression stockings are available in knee high length, thigh high length and pantyhose styles. Each of these styles come in either an open toe or closed toe style.  There is also a maternity pantyhose style available. When choosing a style in the lower compression levels (8-15 or 15-20 mmHg) the choice is mainly concerned with appearance and comfort as opposed to the therapeutic value of the individual. For example you would not choose knee high if you are wearing a dress at a formal event and knee highs are adequate when wearing pants or slacks.  When choosing the higher compression levels it is best to follow your physician’s recommendation.  Open toe or closed toe choices entirely depend on your comfort both has the same therapeutic value.

Colors and brands are again completely the choice of your likes and dislikes or to coordinate with your clothing outfits. A word of caution about compression stockings brands; you usually get what you pay for.  Typically a major name brand of compression stocking such as Jobst or Mediven will last much longer than the cheaper off brands.

Hopefully this information will make your chore of choosing your next pair of compression stockings much less painful. For more information about compression stockings and varicose veins visit www.TheLaserVeinCenter.com .