Compression stockings are designed for the normal functioning of the venous system on the legs. The products are classified as medical underwear, often used in the postoperative period. Before choosing compression stockings, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with their operating principle. It would be useful to learn about the varieties of such underwear and consider the list of reliable manufacturers.
Purpose and principle of operation
Compression stockings are a type of hosiery designed to provide a therapeutic effect. Such underwear has a positive effect on the venous system in cases of phlebitis, swelling and thrombosis. The stockings compress the limb, thereby reducing the diameter of the stretched vein.
A separate subtype of the product is knee-highs. They fit tightly to the leg up to the knee area, thereby supporting the walls of blood vessels and normalizing blood flow. When wearing such underwear, swelling decreases, the risk of further progression of varicose veins decreases.
Most manufacturers produce shapewear for women, since they are the ones who often suffer from problems related to the venous system. Some brands offer compression stockings for men. They differ in design, fiber color, and thread thickness. Women's products are trimmed with decorative elements, equipped with silicone inserts, and the color range is more diverse than that of men's stockings.
Compression garments for legs help with:
- increased swelling;
- impaired blood flow;
- pathological dilation of veins;
- a feeling of heaviness and fatigue in the limbs.
Before choosing the material of compression stockings, you should consult a doctor. This is due to the fact that its type is selected depending on the degree of the disease. Stockings are made of cotton, nylon, microfiber and lycra.
Varieties
Hosiery products differ in the degree of compression and the material they are made of. There are 4 compression classes in total, each of which is discussed in the table. The intensity of the tightening effect depends on the degree of damage to the veins. The more the legs are prone to varicose veins, the higher the class.
The most common are considered to be 3 and 2 class of stocking compression. Often people turn to a specialist when the disease already requires surgical intervention, and these products are just right for the period after surgery. Compression stockings of the 1st degree are relevant at the initial stage of varicose veins and as a preventive measure.
Linen is divided according to the material it is made from:
- elastane;
- lycra;
- polyamide;
- microfiber;
- cotton.
A doctor should explain how to choose compression stockings correctly. Specialists work in specialized stores who will help you make the right choice of products. In extreme cases, you can independently choose stockings by size, if you know the basic rules.
How to choose the size
After choosing the material of the products, you should determine the size of the compression socks or stockings. They should fit tightly to the leg and be securely fixed.
It is necessary to know how to measure the leg for compression stockings. It is necessary to determine the circumference of the thigh, the shin at the narrowest and widest point, the length of the leg from the heel to the thigh. It is better to take measurements early in the morning after sleep, when the swelling has not yet appeared. Then the obtained figures are compared with the size chart.
Before choosing the correct size of compression stockings, you should study the table of parameters.
| Size | Calf circumference at narrowest point, cm | Calf circumference at widest point, cm | Hip circumference, cm | Leg length, cm |
| S | 18-20 | 26.5-37 | 40.5-56 | up to 73.5 |
| M | 20-24 | 29-39 | 44.5-61 | up to 76 |
| L | 24-28 | 32-43 | 50-66 | up to 79 |
| XL | 28-32 | 34-46 | 56-71 | up to 81 |
The question of how to choose compression tights correctly arises no less often. It is worth noting right away that the attending physician should give recommendations first of all. In addition to such underwear, waist measurements and hip circumference are taken. Otherwise, you can navigate the general table of compression stocking sizes.
Reliable manufacturers
To determine the quality of compression stockings and socks, manufacturers use certain standards. Products must meet the following standards:
- does not contain dyes or allergenic materials;
- not be treated with chlorinated phenols and pesticides;
- does not contain organochlorine compounds.
During production, the material is tested for the presence of heavy metals that can interact with the skin during sweating. Certificates are issued to those manufacturers who have passed the check for the presence of a list of chemicals, and none were found in the composition of the raw materials.
List of reliable manufacturers:
- Medi is a brand from Germany that specializes in the production of compression hosiery for everyday wear. The products are made without seams.
- Sigvaris is a Swiss company that produces anti-varicose underwear with an original design.
- Bauerfeind is a German company that produces products of compression classes 1, 2 and 3.
- Ofa Bamberg is a manufacturer from Germany, the range includes models of class 1 and 2.
- Intex is a domestic manufacturer that produces underwear at a reasonable price, but the quality is not inferior to European brands.
The difference is in the number of compression classes of each manufacturer. All these companies provide a guarantee for their products for at least 6 months. In addition, the consumer is provided with an accurate size chart.
Useful tips for choosing and caring for the product
To ensure that the products serve for a long time and do not create discomfort when worn, when choosing underwear, pay attention to the appearance, material, and texture. For example, stockings for men have a sporty design, and options for women are distinguished by elegance. Hypoallergenicity is another factor that is worth taking into account, especially for people with problem skin.
If the packaging contains the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 marking, then the model has received a European environmental safety standard certificate.
It is better to buy underwear in specialized stores. This will help to avoid counterfeits. It is recommended to ask the seller for a warranty card for the product. To choose the optimal compression level, you can consult a doctor, for example, class 4 is used only in exceptional cases. The product must be tried on carefully so as not to damage its integrity and elasticity. Powder and rubber gloves are often used for this.
Some tips for caring for your stockings:
- It is recommended to wash all knitwear with a tightening effect daily. Warm water up to 40 degrees is used for washing. Machine washing is not allowed.
- The product can only be dried using a terry towel. To do this, the washed linen is laid out on pre-prepared textiles, which are located on a flat surface.
- Compression hosiery should not be boiled, bleached, twisted or ironed. This will result in loss of quality of the underwear.
Compression hosiery is designed to provide a squeezing effect on the legs. It helps with anti-varicose therapy, at the initial stages of varicose veins, with advanced diseases of the venous system, and in the postoperative period. High compression stockings are prescribed only by a phlebologist. Products are selected according to size, compression class, and material.
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