How to choose compression stockings for varicose veins

15 July 2021

Vienna.

This is half of the circulatory system.

It is also a source of concern for millions of people around the world.

Vein diseases are widespread. Scientists have estimated that up to 15% of middle-aged men and 30% of women suffer from varicose veins - vasodilation of the venous system. Among the elderly, the proportion of patients with venous diseases is even higher.

That is why many people go to doctors to treat swollen blood vessels. Sometimes with surgery. In other cases, conservative therapy with drugs, exercise and special underwear.

We will talk about varicose vein socks later. In the meantime, we will assess the danger of the disease and its possible complications.

Varicose veins can affect any part of the venous system, but its favorite target is the vessels of the legs.

The vulnerability of the veins is easy to explain.

When blood flows through the arteries to the organs, it moves mainly downward. That is, the force of gravity helps blood flow and therefore there is usually no accumulation of blood in the arteries. It flows through the arteries to the legs. The blood rises back through the veins. At this point, problems begin - the force of gravity slows down the flow of blood, and part of the blood is constantly trying to drain.

The situation is not terrible. Yes, blood circulation in the veins is difficult, but the body has defense mechanisms against such trouble.

Venous valves grow inside the vessels, closing the passage of flowing blood and returning it to the bloodstream. Muscles also help blood flow. They constrict and compress the veins and as a result improve blood circulation.

In diseased vessels, blood flow is impaired. This happens for various reasons:

Long immobility
Obesity
Adult age
Pregnancy
Hormonal imbalance

In varicose veins, the valves are usually weakened or damaged. Therefore, blood accumulates in certain areas of the vessels, compresses the venous walls and causes dilation.

At first the symptoms are not severe:

Feeling of heaviness in the legs
Blue or purple vessels appear on the skin
Convulsions
Swelling
Skin discoloration
Itching and burning in the veins

Such signs of the disease often go unnoticed and sometimes people just get used to them. In this way, they allow varicose veins to develop.

Yes, it can take years for more severe symptoms to appear. But without treatment, complications are inevitable and not at all as harmless as the first signs of varicose veins.

The effects of running varicose veins:

Trophic ulcers. . . Non-healing wounds to diseased vessels. The tissues do not receive the necessary nutrients and gradually die. A symptom of ulcer formation is whitening of the skin area. To stop the development of complications, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Bleeding. . . Enlarged superficial veins sometimes rupture. Bleeding from such vessels is not very heavy, but medical help is still needed.
Blood clots. . . Dilated vessels are a convenient environment for blood clots to form, which doctors call blood clots. These formations interfere with blood circulation. They are also sometimes excreted and can enter the lungs with blood. This phenomenon is called pulmonary embolism and often leads to respiratory failure and even death.

The further the disease progresses, the greater the risk of complications. Another problem is that developed varicose veins usually cannot be eliminated with conservative treatment and surgery is needed.

It is much easier to deal with this early. The complex treatment using socks against varicose veins shows excellent results. This underwear is also useful for disease prevention.

What are compression socks for?

Such a leotard improves blood circulation in the legs. As a result, the pain and swelling that bother many people are reduced. Underwear also helps against more serious diseases, such as reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and the likelihood of blood clots.

Elastic stockings for varicose veins are made of a special material that stretches well and fits the foot. The jersey gently squeezes the veins. Underwear usually puts the most pressure on the ankles, and the pressure on the legs decreases.

Doctors prescribe compression stockings for various purposes:

Vein support
Prevention of blood accumulation
Prevention of trophic ulcers
Fighting venous hypertension
Improving lymphatic drainage

When the jersey presses the vessels, it has several positive effects:

Reduces the diameter of the veins. . . Blood flows faster through narrow vessels. As a result, it rarely accumulates in one place and blood clots almost never appear.
Improves blood flow. . . Thanks to the extra pressure, blood flow is accelerated and it travels faster from the legs to the heart.
Prevents bleeding. . . Despite the force of attraction, blood rarely flows through the veins and does not fill the connecting vessels.

Even some athletes use compression stockings in their training. For example, runners and basketball players. Underwear protects tissues from damage and accelerates the supply of oxygen to the muscles. After a workout, the muscles recover faster.

Of course, shaping socks for varicose veins can not be considered a magical artifact that will save you from any problems with blood vessels. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Like other drugs, compression stockings are not good for everyone.

Indications and contraindications for wearing compression underwear

Don't buy tight-fitting socks yourself. First go to your doctor and check what kind of jersey you need.

Find out the size. Degree of compression. And other features of the underwear you will wear for months.

Buying knitwear without a doctor's recommendation can damage blood vessels. For example, socks press too hard and as a result the blood circulation in the veins is even more disturbed. The result is that the condition of the vessels deteriorates.

Make an appointment to consult a phlebologist about the choice of compression underwear. And also check the indications and contraindications for such socks.

Indications

Doctors prescribe underwear for weight loss in diseases:

Chronic venous insufficiency
Phleberism
Deep venous thrombosis
Lymphedema
Phlebitis
Lipodermatosclerosis

Also, jerseys are sometimes prescribed to healthy people who are at risk for vascular disease. The need for socks arises:

During pregnancy. . . The body of the future mother is exposed to great stress. The hormonal balance is disturbed. As a result, the venous walls weaken and often dilate. The amount of blood in the body also increases. Because of the child. The increased volume of blood significantly increases the load on the vessel walls. Knitwear helps the veins to maintain their normal shape under such strong pressure.
Due to increased stress on the legs. . . In the workplace, many people have to stay on their feet for a long time and therefore the pressure on the vessels of the lower extremities increases. Frequent exertion can cause varicose veins. Underwear supports the veins. Thus, they remain healthy even in people who spend their entire working day on their feet.
With a sedentary lifestyle. . . The less a person moves, the harder it is for the veins to pump blood. Muscles do not work and do not improve blood circulation, so blood often accumulates and dilates blood vessels. The jersey stops the swelling of the veins.
After vascular surgery. . . The success of surgical treatment largely depends on the proper recovery of the patient. When the procedure is over, the doctor prescribes knitwear. It should be worn strictly on schedule, as any violation of the regime can lead to recurrence of the disease.

The right choice of elastic underwear is very important. Phlebologists prescribe knitwear with a certain degree of compression and grade, depending on the disease and the patient's risk factors.

Contraindications

Compression socks are completely safe for most people. They have only a few limitations:

Suspected or already diagnosed peripheral artery disease
Severe peripheral neuropathy
Extensive swelling of the legs or lungs after heart failure
Allergy to knitted fabric
Skin and soft tissue problems: gangrene, dermatitis, severe cellulite

Individual patients simply cannot effectively wear elastic underwear.

Sometimes only temporarily. For example, they have wounds on their legs and have to wait for them to heal.

In other cases, it is permanent. For legs with an unusual shape or deformity, the compression jersey will not work. It simply does not cover the limbs properly and will therefore be useless against venous diseases.

How to choose compression socks

The elastic leotard against varicose veins includes models of different lengths. Some cover their feet completely. Others are only up to the knee. This depends on the purpose of the compression socks.

An important feature of underwear is the pressure, which directly affects the effectiveness of the knitwear. Socks should fit snugly around the feet but not hurt.

Some models are specifically designed for operated patients. They are not suitable for other people.

The degree of compression of knitted socks for the treatment of varicose veins will be determined by the doctor. So do not forget to make an appointment and buy elastic underwear only after consultation.

Check the knitwear in the store. Choose products:

Antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
No seams
With a service life of 12 months
RAL quality standard

With proper care, such underwear will last a long time and you will not have to change it until the end of the course of treatment.

Types of compression socks

All models of knitwear for weight loss are divided into three types:

Preventive. . . These products are not considered medical and can therefore be purchased even without a prescription. They just maintain the vessels. This underwear reduces fatigue and pain in the legs. Knitwear weakly compresses the veins and is ideal for the prevention of vascular diseases, but does not cure varicose veins.
Therapeutic. . . The most extensive group of elastic socks. With these products, the level of pressure in different areas is different - close to the ankle, underwear squeezes the most, and up the legs the pressure weakens. The medical leotard is prescribed by a doctor. Socks are designed for people with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
Antiembolic or hospital. . . This bedding is prescribed for people who need to stay in bed after surgery. Helps reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. High compression class. The pressure on different parts of the socks varies, just like with medical devices.

Yes, you can buy elastic underwear for the prevention of vascular diseases. However, we advise you to see a doctor. It will help you choose knitwear. The phlebologist will tell you about other preventive methods, so you will learn much better to protect your veins.

Degree of compression of compression socks

According to the pressure level, elastic underwear is divided into four classes:

Compression up to 22 mm Hg. Art. Such a leotard helps to stop the development of varicose veins - removes swelling, spider veins and other signs of varicose veins.
Pressure up to 32 mm Hg. Art. Class II socks are prescribed to patients with chronic venous insufficiency, thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Knitwear is also used for prevention by people with a sedentary lifestyle.
Compression up to 46 mm Hg. Art. These socks are worn by patients with trophic disorders and congenital defects of the vascular system.
Pressure up to 50 mm Hg. Art. Doctors prescribe such knitwear only to people with severe venous diseases. Underwear is used to treat severe swelling.

Properly chosen level of compression allows you to successfully fight vascular disease, while inappropriate knitwear further damages the veins.

Choosing the right size for your underwear is just as important.

Compression stock size chart

Remember to measure your feet before you buy your laundry. You need to measure:

Calf circumference
Ankle circumference
Thigh circumference
Leg length from floor to hips
Leg length

Take all measurements in the morning after waking up. Do not get out of bed - this way you will achieve the most accurate results that can not be obtained in an upright position due to pressure on the vessels. Recorded foot measurements will be useful when using a sock size chart.

The size	Height, cm	Weight, kg	Thighs, see
C; S1	150 - 162	41 - 55	90 - 100; 90
M; M1	152 - 170	55 - 75	88 - 100; 98 - 115
L; L1	155 - 175	58 - 95	113 - 130; 98 - 115
XL	167 - 180	68 - 95
XXL	160 - 178	85 - 108

How to dress and wear compression stockings

First, put on elastic underwear as soon as you lift it. Without even getting out of bed.

Raise your legs. It should be above the level of the heart - in this position the pressure in the vessels decreases. Gently slide your feet in and slowly pull the fabric up.

Iron your socks. They should adhere tightly to the skin. Straighten the folds. The upper part of the underwear should not be folded down, otherwise the jersey will press like a turnstile and as a result the blood circulation will be disturbed.

It is not recommended to remove compression stockings during the day. Only in the shower or bath. Before going to bed, lie down on the bed and lift your legs. Then take off your laundry.

How long should the jersey be worn?

Ask your doctor. Mild forms of varicose veins can be eliminated in a few months, but chronic diseases are a more serious problem. Sometimes phlebologists recommend that patients wear elastic stockings for several years. In rare cases throughout his life.

With carelessness, the jersey will not last even a few months. That is why it is necessary to take proper care of it.

Compression knitwear care

Socks do not look like a durable product. And really - usually their service life does not exceed 12 months, and in many cases the laundry breaks and is destroyed even earlier.

What to do?

First of all, the socks should be washed. Including jersey with antimicrobial protection. Remember - you wear elastic underwear all day and dead skin cells constantly accumulate on it. So wash it daily.

The best - by hand.

For washing, use baby soap or other delicate products that will not damage the knitwear. The laundry cannot be boiled.

After washing, squeeze the water from the socks very carefully. Do not stretch or damage the fabric. You can wipe off the moisture with a towel.

Dry the knitwear on a flat surface, only in cool or warm places, as strong heat can destroy the material.

Even with proper care, socks will sooner or later lose their elasticity. Sometimes after a few months. Less often - after a year.

How to change the shirt on time?

The loss of elasticity is easily noticed in the morning when you put on socks. Old compression garments are very easy to remove. Hence the conclusion - it no longer presses the legs with the necessary strength and therefore it is necessary to buy a replacement.

How much to wear compression stockings after surgery

Elastic knitwear is not only included in the complex treatment of vascular diseases and is used to prevent varicose veins. Such underwear is also prescribed to patients who have undergone surgery. Sometimes for a few days. In other cases for months.

The time for wearing socks is determined by the doctor.

After treatment, the jersey should be used at different times, depending on the procedure:

Cesarean section - up to three weeks
Removal of the uterus - two to eight weeks
Laparoscopy - from three days to a month
Kidney removal - from five days to four weeks
Removal of the gallbladder - from ten days to a month

How much to wear compression stockings after sclerotherapy?

It is necessary to take into account the number of vessels treated by the doctor. During the operation, the phlebologist destroys the inner walls of the veins by various methods, which inflames them. The blood circulation in the vessel stops and after a while the diseased vein disappears completely. The blood moves through other vessels.

Compression stockings in this case help to keep the treated veins closed and prevent blood from entering them. Therefore, the vessels disappear faster.

Elastic underwear should be worn for up to four months if the doctor has operated on one or two veins. A larger number of removed vessels should be maintained longer - six months. Besides, this is not a full term. So much the patient wears a second-class leotard, and then the doctor can replace it with first-class underwear.

Shaping socks are also used in other venous surgeries. For example, they are useful for recovery after phlebectomy and miniphlebectomy.

But endovasal treatment does not require compression therapy and underwear is used only if the signs of venous insufficiency - edema and trophic disorders - persist.

Unfortunately, this information is not universal. It cannot be applied to absolutely every situation and every person. The doctor prescribes knitwear and determines how long patients should wear special socks.

Reading information about elastic underwear is a good start, but the real fight against vascular disease will flare up only after a visit to the doctor.