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| Compression Hosiery Facts |
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Compression therapy has been repeatedly proven effective in the treatment and prevention of venous disorders. Medical research has shown that stockings are effective in reducing leg symptoms only when the compression is graduated, meaning the pressure is greatest at the ankle and sequentially less up the leg.
The compression of the hosiery physically reduces the circumference of the limb and the superficial veins. By decreasing the size of the veins, blood flows faster, which helps prevent the blood from pooling and the chances of developing a thrombus.
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Below: Effects of 18 mm compression on femoral vein blood flow velocity of supine subject.
Compression given in reduction of total limb volume and vein diameter. The result is increased blood flow velocity.
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Without stocking
Abnormal functioning valves |
With
stocking
Vein size is reduced, aligning valve cusps. |
Compression therapy can also improve valve functioning. As the vein diameter is reduced, the valve cusps are moved back to a correct overlapping position, allowing for proper functioning.
Additionally, compression stockings can reinforce the pumping action of the calf muscles and can reduce the varicosity, making it less symptomatic and less visible. |
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- Blood flows faster through veins
- Valve cusps move into position
- Muscle pump action increases
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Reducing:
Edema
Pooling
Stasis
Fatigue
Pain
Thrombosis
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The pressure that a stocking exerts at the ankle is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg). Different compression ranges can be produced by varying the knit design and elastomeric yarn denier. Because pressure readings vary slightly, manufacturers typically report compression levels as a range (ex. 20-30 mm Hg). The compression ranges that products are sold under can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Below are the typical Compression Levels with the usual indications
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| PRESSURE |
DESCRIPTION |
INDICATIONS |
| Less than 15 mm Hg |
Light Support |
Preventative support
Relief from long periods of standing or sitting
Relief from tired, aching legs
Mild ankle and foot swelling
Mild spider and varicose veins
Muscle cramps
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| 15-20 mm Hg |
Light Support
Moderate Support |
Preventative support
Relief from long periods of standing or sitting
Relief from chronic tired, aching legs
Mild ankle and foot swelling
Mild varicosities without edema
Muscle cramps
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| 20 - 30 mm Hg |
Moderate Support |
Relief of heaviness and fatigued legs
Relief from chronic aching legs; ankle and foot swelling
Relief from varicosities without significant edema
Post Sclerotherapy |
The lower compression ranges (less than 20 mm Hg) are preventative and can be worn by anyone wanting healthy, great feeling and looking legs. Today incredibly sheer, lightweight and fashionable products are available in the lower compressions. These preventative products can have dramatic benefits to individuals who stand or sit for long periods of time or have any risk factors, making them predisposed to venous disorders. One potentially at-risk group are frequent air travelers, especially those passengers on long flights in coach class seating. Ladies and men socks are now available to accommodate this group.
Any individual with symptoms of venous disorders should consult a physician to ascertain the correct therapy for the specific leg condition. The physician should determine the style and compression level. |
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"Economy Class Syndrome" is a more common name for the medical condition deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) when linked with air travel. Deep-vein thrombosis occurs when blood pools in the leg due to inactivity. When this happens, a blood clot, or venous thrombosis, can form. During air travel, particularly during long flights in coach class seating, the traveler's inactivity and the earth's gravity slow down the blood flow through the veins. Clots can form and can dislodge and move through the body once activity resumes. If the clots become lodged in vital organs, severe medical problems--even death--can occur.
Certain factors can make a person more susceptible to this condition:
Obesity
Dehydration
Varicose veins
Pregnancy
Chronic heart disease
Tight clothing
Alcohol consumption
Recent trauma or surgery
Hormone therapy/birth control
Previous instances of DVT
The number of venous thrombosis after flights has increased with the dramatic increase in air travel. To prevent Economy Class Syndrome (ECS), some airlines suggest travelers stand up during flights and to stretch and contract the calf muscles with leg exercises. Other experts recommend drinking plenty of fluids.
Several experts now suggest wearing graduated compression hosiery to guard against ECS and thrombosis. Graduated compression hosiery and socks help promote blood flow and increase circulation to prevent blood clot formation. This is a simple measure everyone who travels can easily take to protect their health.
Additionally, graduated compression hosiery and socks help prevent swollen feet and ankles and calf muscle cramps commonly experienced during flight. |
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Relieve Tired, Aching Feet and Legs
Prevent Ankle and Foot Swelling
Prevent Calf Muscle Cramps
Prevent or Post-treatment of Varicose Veins/Spider Veins
Varicose veins are vessels that have progressed to a secondary condition of chronic venous insufficiency due to vein wall weakness or a malfunctioning valve. The return blood flow has become slower and more turbulent. It may be necessary to treat some varicose veins surgically.
Invasive Surgical Treatments for Varicose Veins:
- Sclerotherapy - In this procedure a chemical compound is injected into the vein to obliterate the vein lumen. It is used to reduce the appearances of spider and varicose veins.
Following this treatment, compression therapy is recommended to prevent recurrences.
- Phlebectomy- In this procedure individual varices and smaller veins are surgically removed via small skin punctures, reducing the appearance of varicose veins.
- Stripping Operation- Stripping involves surgical removal of an entire vein and usually requires the patient to use compression therapy following the procedure.
Prevent Thrombosis Formation
Thrombosis (blood clot formation) can occur from three factors:
- Vascular injury
- Hemostasis (venous stasis) - Pooling of blood
- Change in blood chemistry
The formation of any thrombus (blood clot) in the circulatory system is potentially dangerous because it can break loose, causing an embolus thereby traveling to the lungs and becoming lodged in a small vessel (pulmonary embolism). High risk patients may be injected with anti-coagulants such as Heparin and Coumarin as a means to prevent the formation of a thrombus. These drugs are only used as a preventative means and cannot dissolve pre-existing thrombotic formations. |
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In the circulatory system arteries distribute oxygen-enriched blood throughout the body and veins return deoxygenated blood back to the heart. This trek back to the heart is called venous blood flow. The leg veins are at a greater risk of developing disorders than just about any other part of the circulatory system. The leg veins must carry large volumes of blood the long distance from the feet back to the heart traveling uphill and fighting gravity the entire way. The pumping action of the heart alone is not sufficient to achieve this journey.
Venous blood flow in the legs is aided by 3 important factors:
- A series of one-directional valves
- The surrounding calf muscle pump
- The elasticity of the vein wall
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Valves are structures within the veins that, when functioning properly, allow blood only to flow in one direction. Muscles surrounding the vein contract and squeeze in a peristaltic fashion which causes blood to be forced up the leg. It is the vein wall's elasticity that allows the calf muscle pump to create the peristaltic contractions. In between these contractions, one-way valves close off to prevent blood from flowing back. This sequence is repeated to the next valve stage until the blood is milked back to the heart. |
Distended (stretched) vein with abnormal functioning valve.
Blood is forced back down the vein. |
Any malfunction in this system of venous blood flow back to the heart can result in a venous disorder. If a valve is not functioning properly or if the walls of the vein lose their elasticity, blood pooling and swelling can result.
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The pooling and increased weight of blood in the area of the defective valve causes the eventual failure of the adjacent valve.
Increased weight/force on subsequent valves showing the cumulative effects of valve failure. |
The cascading effect of the successively collapsing valves leads to incompetence of the involved vein. This progression can eventually become serious and result in venous disorders including varicosities (vein with a swollen, knotted appearance), edema, leg pain/fatigue, skin ulcers (result from stagnant, non-circulating blood), and life threatening thrombosis (blood clot formation). Venous disorders can also result from inactivity of the lower limb as in bedridden patients. This is because too great a burden is placed upon the valve system without the aid of the calf muscle pump.
What you can do:
- Get plenty of exercise
- Do specific leg exercises
- Keep your feet higher than your heart
- Wear graduated compression stockings
- Maintain your normal weight
- Avoid Excessive heat and direct sunlight
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time whenever possible
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