The anti-varicose jersey is designed to normalize the work of the vascular system in the lower extremities. Compression underwear puts accurate design pressure on certain areas of the veins, which, due to their remote location from the heart, have a risk of developing pathological venous disorders. Thus, thanks to wearing medical underwear, the condition of blood circulation is improved, painful feelings, swelling and heaviness in the legs are removed. Therefore, if there is a risk of developing varicose veins, you have already encountered it or show signs of venous circulation damage (due to static loads, pregnancy, inactive lifestyle), you should start using preventive compression underwear in everyday wear.
Compression underwear for varicose veins
Earlier, phlebologists prescribed elastic bandages for this purpose. Now this tool is not popular due to the presence of a number of significant disadvantages: the difficulty of bending, uneven degree of compression, unaesthetic appearance, rapid loss of compression properties and, as a result, slipping.
The difference between modern compression underwear is completely opposite to the above disadvantages:
- ease of use (compared to tying) from dressing, wearing to removing bedding;
- 4 compression classes - which allows individual selection of canvas with the required level of compression of varicose veins;
- made of high-tech materials: linen - from hypoallergenic natural cotton with a high degree of elasticity; knitwear made of synthetic fibers - nylon, lycra, elastodien, microfiber, which allows you to wear skirts and dresses;
- firm grip does not allow the laundry to slip;
- long lifespan of bedding, with proper care - from 5 to 12 months (with daily wear).
What is the use of compression underwear? Compression garments create distributed pressure from the bottom of the legs to the top. The gradual pressure of different strength varies from the ankle to the thigh, in percentages it is from 100% to 20% of the compression set by the underwear.
Expert opinion
A gradual decrease in the percentage of compression is physiologically justified: with the blood flow upwards, the load on the venous system decreases. It is therefore desirable to reduce the maximum upward pressure. Thanks to this principle of action, wearing compression underwear stimulates and normalizes the outflow of blood and lymph into the heart, preventing venous congestion.
Types of compression underwear
How to choose compression underwear for varicose veins and what is the purpose of this or that type of knitwear?
The medical industry offers a fairly large range of compression underwear. There are compression stockings for women and underwear for the treatment of varicose veins in men. There is also a classification according to the therapeutic tasks assigned to compression garments:
- preventive underwear: minimal compression of the lower extremities to eliminate high blood pressure in them;
- medical underwear: medium and maximum compression for the treatment of varicose veins;
- postoperative underwear: used in hospitals, the selection of compression stockings is carried out by a doctor.
In direct dependence on the existing or probable localization of venous disorders of the lower part of the body, you can choose a certain type of medical underwear - compression leggings, leggings or socks.
Compression socks
Socks are generally recommended for athletes with an increased load in running for preventive purposes. Wearing compression stockings will reduce the risk of venous disorders and help those who have experienced them. During the use of compression stockings, the blood circulation in the foot improves, and the muscle tone increases due to the compression directed to the point and the area of the foot. This type of laundry can be used during and after a long effort.
Knee compression
Socks are suitable for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, provided that the varicose veins are located below the knee. Knee heights cover the leg from foot to knee. Their elastic compression properties ensure precise adhesion to the foot, maintain ankle tone and are effective in preventing weight in the foot.
How to choose compression stockings for men? More compression garments seem to target women. That is a fallacy. In terms of design, men's leggings are practically no different from the usual socks, so they should not create restrictions during the wearing period.
The sizes of such compression garments, such as knee-highs, are selected according to the anatomical profile of the lower extremities.
To do this, you need to make some measurements (in centimeters):
- the circumference of the lower leg above the ankle and below the knee;
- length from feet to knees.
Compression socks
With the help of socks, it is possible to achieve a therapeutic and prophylactic effect in the fight against pathologies of the venous system. Due to the need, elastic stockings are sometimes used from varicose veins of increased length: to the groin or with a button at the waist.
There is a silicone rubber band on the inside of the sock. Prevents this compression stocking from slipping. Medical socks with a buckle at the waist are fastened with an elastic strap with contact tape. Such socks are divided into half pairs, there are left and right. There is a possibility of combining mono socks into leggings.
This type of sock, as a special compression underwear for legs with varicose veins, has the maximum degree of efficiency.
Finding the best compression stockings for women and men is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The range of such underwear on the medical market is quite wide. It takes into account financial possibilities and preferences for the appearance of the canvas. Therefore, it is possible to buy compression stockings in accordance with your own wishes, and not just following the doctor's recommendations regarding the therapeutic and prophylactic properties of the fabric. When shopping, it is important to keep in mind that an orthopedic salon or pharmacy that sell compression underwear protects you from buying fake ones. Only there you can buy a certified high quality compression product.
Compression leggings for women
The most common type of medical and prophylactic underwear for women are compression leggings, despite the fact that they are quite difficult to wear.
According to what effect is important to achieve, the following types of compression tights are distinguished: preventive and therapeutic. Preventive elastic leggings are selected independently according to parameters such as height and weight. You can buy this compression stocking in pharmacies and in regular medical supply stores. In addition to improving the venous system, they have a corrective and slimming effect on the waist, buttocks and thighs.
Expert opinion
If you can choose preventive compression products yourself, then medical compressor socks are chosen exclusively by a doctor. Such tights, socks and stockings are subject to mandatory medical certification according to the RAL standard-GZ 387 and are available for sale only in medical equipment salons and pharmacies.
The lineup includes types of compression tights that differ in texture and color. Both are the most transparent and the densest opaque, which enable the masking of venous manifestations on the skin. When choosing a model, pay attention to the sock: there are products with open and closed toes.
It is recommended to combine medical compression stockings for varicose veins with the use of local venotonic means for the legs. Foot cream with extracts of wild chestnut and ginkgo biloba is suitable for daily care at home. Due to its natural composition, it relieves pain, tones, has anti-inflammatory and cosmetic effects. The cream is applied to the skin of the feet from the bottom up with massage movements until it is completely absorbed, 1-2 times a day in the morning before wearing compression clothing and in the evening after its removal. The cream has undergone clinical studies and has been highly valued by phlebologists as an effective supplement in the fight against varicose veins of the lower extremities. For use outside the home, a foot tonic with butcher's and witch's extracts is very suitable. Thanks to its lightweight formula that leaves no traces and a comfortable form of release, it can be applied over nylon compression leggings. Spray it 1-2 times a day from a distance of 15 cm to lightly moisturize the skin. Both products were developed by experts of the pharmaceutical company and have the necessary documents and quality certificates.
Compression underwear - tights, socks and leggings, require effort when dressing. It is important to adhere to the following rules:
- put in a supine position, after waking up;
- do not stretch or twist the product excessively;
- gather the top of the tights and gradually straighten them towards the lower leg and above.
In order to facilitate the process of putting on compressor socks, special devices are produced for consumers of different categories: overweight, limited mobility, for passengers (folding design).
How to choose compression socks?
When asked how to choose compression socks, given the size, you need to read the information on the package.
Compression garments are produced strictly in accordance with quality standards. The strictest is the European standard RAL-GZ 387. Its norms regulate:
- composition of compression underwear;
- safety of materials used;
- compression properties, elasticity, strength of the produced fabric;
- labeling requirements on packaging.
According to these standards, on the packaging of a canvas with a certificate of quality, the compression class and pressure should be indicated in millimeters of mercury, and not in denominations (as in ordinary socks).
If the canvas packaging bears the words Oko-Tex® Standard 100, this means that this compression garment has been tested by independent institutes that are part of the international Oeko-Tex community. They check fabric samples for compliance with pH, formaldehyde content, chlorine-containing substances and the possible presence of heavy metals. Based on the results of the successful inspection, a quality certificate is issued - Oko-Tex® Standard 100.
By purchasing underwear with the above markings you can be sure that it is:
- will allow you to achieve the appropriate therapeutic effect;
- environmentally friendly;
- will serve at least the short service life specified by the manufacturer.
Elastic compression stocking: compression classes for all clothing
According to the degree of pressure that occurs in medical elastic knitwear, there are 4 classes of compression, in accordance with the RAL-GZ 387 standard.
- Compression class I: has a low (light) preventive pressure (18-21 mm Hg). Indications for wearing underwear with class I compression are: tendency to develop varicose veins, weight in the legs, edema, spider veins, pregnancy.
- Compression class II: has a medium pressure (22-32 mm Hg). This is the most commonly used compression class for medical clothing. It is used for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis, in the treatment of varicose veins and acute thrombophlebitis (Thrombophlebitis).
- Compression class III: exerts strong pressure (33-46 mm Hg). This bedding is used for severe lymphovenous insufficiency, trophic pathologies, deep venous thrombosis.
- Compression class IV: exerts the highest possible pressure (over 59 mm Hg). Underwear of this compression class is used for congenital vein anomalies and to remove lymphedema with accompanying edema.
Preventive underwear of the first compression class can be purchased independently. But how to choose medical compression underwear with an already developed varicose vein can only be told by a doctor. It will explain to you why you need a compression garment in your particular situation.
Compression socks: how to choose a size
Varicose veins are an irreversible disease that requires treatment. And compression stockings will be for the veins as a support frame. Accurate foot measurements will help you choose the right socks, as follows:
- length from feet to knees;
- the circumference of the lower leg above the ankle and below the knee;
- thigh circumference at a distance of 25-30 cm from the knee;
- leg length from foot to groin.
After the phlebologist has prescribed bedding of the appropriate compression class and after the measurement, it is important to determine the size of the socks. The range includes a large number of sizes from XS to XLX. Network size may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, the selection of compression garments must be made in accordance with the size chart of the particular manufacturer.
Properly chosen socks will fit well with your foot. You may initially feel uncomfortable wearing medical underwear, but over time it will pass.
How to choose compression leggings?
To select leggings, in addition to the above measurements, it is necessary to measure the circumference of the hips and waist circumference.
Compression garments are produced by many manufacturers. And with varicose veins, I want to figure out what’s better than the rest, so I don’t waste precious time and money. Unfortunately, the best compression stocking for varicose veins can be chosen only on the basis of one's own feelings from the immediate wearing of such underwear.
The special feature of the leggings is that they are selected strictly according to size, because the surface on which they will create pressure is maximum.
In most cases, the package contains information on how to wear compression leggings. Do not ignore these recommendations - it will extend the life of bedding:
- Wear leggings after waking up or after showering. Important: the skin must be completely dry.
- It is necessary to monitor the condition of the skin - it must be moisturized and smooth so as not to damage the fibers of compression underwear.
- Pants compressions must not stretch or twist.
- When you get dressed, gather the upper part of the tights into an accordion and gradually distribute them along the length of the leg, correcting the folds that appear.
Compression leggings should be worn all day and removed just before bedtime. The duration of the laundry is determined only by the doctor.
Compression stockings after surgery
The hospital jersey is irreplaceable after surgery. Good compression underwear in the postoperative period of treatment of varicose veins can alleviate a number of possible complications. Wearing hospital gowns reduces the risk of congestion and deep vein thrombosis.
The optimal compression pressure for this type of underwear is 15-18 mm Hg.
The compression of the recovery underwear is calculated taking into account that the patient will be in a horizontal position. Therefore, this type of underwear is not suitable for everyday compression stockings.
The postoperative compression garment can be adapted to any part of the body. The following types of bedding can be distinguished:
- knee-highs, leggings;
- Spinal corsets;
- bandages.
A characteristic feature of postoperative compression garments is that they must be worn (not removed) for the first few days. Therefore, hospital underwear should be highly elastic, seamless, hypoallergenic and provide an antimicrobial effect.
Women's compression underwear
Basically, under women's compression hospital cloth is commonly understood cosmetic socks. It is used after plastic surgery, which greatly facilitates and shortens the rehabilitation period. The most common type of such underwear is a compression vest after mammoplasty (Mammoplastica). During the rehabilitation period after breast-straightening surgery, it is important to wear compression underwear that:
- prevents scarring;
- help alleviate postoperative swelling;
- reduce pain;
- alleviate the feeling of heaviness in the operated area.
The required compression class of the vest is regulated by buckles. Sometimes, along with a compression vest, an additional compression belt is used to create maximum compression with postoperative underwear on the required areas of the body.
How to choose and how long to wear compression garments for women is determined by the doctor. Improperly chosen underwear can harm your body.
Compression underwear for pregnant women
During pregnancy, due to the increased load on the body, the manifestation of symptoms of various diseases is possible. Varicose veins too. To protect themselves from such manifestations, many pregnant women are recommended to wear preventive and therapeutic underwear.
In the first trimester, prophylactic compression stockings are used, mostly stockings or socks, which will also protect the woman from heaviness syndrome in the legs and swelling.
Wearing braces during pregnancy reduces stress on the spine.
From the second trimester, if indicated, medical underwear is prescribed: bandages, leggings, socks. After giving birth, this type of medical cloth will help you recover faster. Often the bandage function is assigned to a highly elastic insert on the front of the compression leggings. It takes into account the anatomical features of the pregnant woman. Such underwear supports the stomach well and does not tighten it. However, there may be contraindications to wearing such a jersey, so it is advisable to consult your doctor before buying medicated underwear.
For pregnant women with varicose veins, a phlebologist recommends the use of compression stockings during childbirth and for a short time after them.