From this article you will learn: how to choose compression underwear for varicose veins, how this knit works. Types and classes of compression, how to determine the size. Contraindications, are possible complications and side effects from wearing compression linen.
Compression products made from knitted fabrics of special density and different degree of compression( pressure)used to treat and prevent varicose veins.
When donning to a sick limb, they create an external frame that:
- supports weakened leg muscles( here venous blood flow is directly dependent on muscle tone);
- slightly squeezes the walls of the vessels, not allowing them to stretch;
- stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage;
- prevents fluid stagnation.
Action of compression jersey. Click on the picture to enlarge Produce 6 kinds of compression jersey:
- Tights( cover both limbs from the foot to the hip and end at the waist).
- Stockings( designed for the lower limb from the foot to the thigh).
- Knee-length socks( put on the shin from the foot to the knee).
- Leggings( reminiscent of golf without heel and toe).
- Socks( put on the foot to the ankle).
- Sleeves( on the arm from the wrist to the shoulder).
The products have a certain degree of compression( pressure) at the level of the ankles( hence the complex portion of the reverse movement of the venous blood begins), which is measured in mm Hg. Art.and calculate, based on the severity of varicose veins. The degree of compression of knitwear can be preventive( with low pressure - 1 class) or therapeutic( with high pressure - 2, 3, 4 classes).
It can not be said that stockings are better than tights or socks - underwear and compression ratio for treatment and prevention are chosen by a phlebologist or angiosurgeon, he makes a conclusion on the basis of medical history, examination results and individual indications.
How compression compressions work
When varicose veins, the lower extremities suffer first: the blood flows easily from the heart down the arteries, but upwards, through the veins, rises with a certain effort. Reverse blood flow is provided by several mechanisms:
- with cardiac contractions that "push" the blood, causing it to circulate in the vascular system;
- venous valves that block blood in the area of the vessel so that it does not move in the opposite direction;
- with regular contractions of the leg and thigh muscles( muscular pump), which form a kind of supporting frame for the vessels, gently squeeze them and help push the blood upward, from the shins to the thighs and into the small pelvis. Their weakening is one of the main mechanisms for the formation of varicose veins.
The mechanism of reverse blood flow is normal Compression knitwear is designed to perform the functions of the muscular pump and skeleton. Squeezing his foot in a certain place( at the ankle) is stronger, in others slightly weaker( shin, thigh) he:
- provides the optimal degree of influence on all parts of the leg;
- normalizes blood flow, helping blood to move from bottom to top;
- gently squeezing muscles, strengthens the tone of the vascular walls, does not allow them to stretch;
- narrows the lumen of damaged veins, helping to redistribute part of the blood into healthy vessels;
- normalizes the operation of the valve apparatus;
- stimulates the outflow of lymph, eliminating edema and stagnation;
- reduces the burden on sick veins.
By normalizing the circulation of the lower extremities, the correctly selected compression knitwear performs several more functions:
- Improves metabolism and nutrition of tissues.
- Prevents the development of complications( thrombosis of vessels, necrosis of tissues due to oxygen starvation).
- Relieves severe symptoms( pain, itching, swelling after a work day).
- Prevents the recurrence( reappearance) of varicose veins after surgery.
- Do not create difficulties for treatment with permanent wearing( if necessary) - external means can be applied over the product.
It is important to choose linen on the recommendation of a phlebologist, it will calculate the time during which you need to wear it, and prescribe a comprehensive treatment( without it, wearing medical knitwear is ineffective).
Kinds of knitwear
The type of knitwear is chosen depending on the localization of the main manifestations, the product should be 15-20 cm above the border of varicose extension:
- The tights are used when both limbs are injured from the shin to the thigh and signs of stagnation in the small pelvis( enlarged veins and nodes ingroin, hemorrhoids), they are convenient for the prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy and weight lifting. In tights for pregnant women there is a special bandage for the abdomen, which supports, but does not squeeze it.
- Compression underwear with varicose stockings is usually chosen when it comes to recovery after a vein removal operation( from the lower leg to the thigh) on one leg, it is more convenient to remove and put on( in comparison with tights).
- Knee socks and leggings are designed for the prevention and treatment of leg varicose if the knots and the affected veins do not rise to the knee.
- Socks are used to improve blood flow in the ankle( ankle) area.
- Sleeves eliminate severe lymphostasis( lymphatic stasis, edema) after surgery, trauma, infectious polyarthritis( inflammation of the joints).
Given individual indications and contraindications, only the attending physician can determine what kind of laundry is better for using with varicose veins of different localization.
How to decide on the size of
Sell linen in specialized stores, to choose the right option for the first time, you need to make individual foot measurements.
Measured in cm:
- shin circumference above the ankles( this parameter in the dimensional grid is marked with the letter b);
- shin circumference under the knee( d);
- circumference of the upper third of the thigh( g);
- waist circumference( for tights);
- leg length from heel to groin( up to point g);
- the length of the foot.
In accordance with these parameters, the right size of the compression linen is selected.
Foot measurement for compression linen. Click on the picture to enlarge Classes of compression
Knitwear differs from each other not only in the types of products( socks, stockings, tights), but also by the degree of pressure( compression) on the limb surface, which determines its medicinal qualities.
Compression in all types of linen is uneven, the maximum pressure( 100%) falls on the limb in the ankle area, high( 70%) - affects the shin, the minimum( 40%) - on the thigh. Thus, conditions are created for the restoration of blood flow, close to physiological( normal pressure difference to the lower and upper veins is 2.5 times different, from below it is stronger, at the top is weaker, this ensures a normal outflow of blood from the lower extremities up to the small pelvis).
Compression of leg compression | class, degree of compression( .. Mm Hg) | In some cases recommend |
|---|---|
| 1, 18 to 21 | preventive knitted fabric, it is recommended to: individuals with a hereditary predisposition to the initial stage of varicose veins, after the first signs - vascular Stars, severity, itching, swelling; to prevent the appearance of varicose during pregnancy; people at risk( with a constant load on their feet - hairdressers, pharmacists, teachers, athletes). |
| 2, 23 to 32 | Therapeutic, use: in a complex for the treatment of varicose veins; for prophylaxis of thrombosis( clotting of a blood vessel with a thrombus) of deep veins of extremities; for the prevention of thrombophlebitis( complication of varicose veins); during the recovery period after surgery for the removal or sclerosis of varicose veins. |
| 3, 34 to 46 | Therapeutic, use: for trophic disorders( metabolic, nutritional and gas exchange in tissues); lymphovenous insufficiency( swelling of tissues, chronic stagnation, blood flow disorders of tissues); for the treatment of thrombosis( occlusion of the lumen of the vessel) of deep veins; after advanced deep vein thrombosis( postthrombophlebitic syndrome); in the recovery period after the removal of veins. |
| 4, from 49 and above | Therapeutic, apply: for severe disorders of lymphostasis( outflow of lymph); congenital pathologies of vein formation( phlebodysplasia). |
Without prior consultation with a specialist, it is not recommended to purchase even preventive knitwear.
Contraindications and complications
have compression underwear have contraindications, it is not recommended to use when:
- atherosclerotic changes in vessel walls( formation of cholesterol plaques).
- Obliterating endarteritis( inflammation of the inner walls of the peripheral vessels of the lower limbs).
- Thrombangiite( inflammation of the vascular walls with the formation of a thrombus).
All diseases are characterized by narrowing of the lumen of the vessels( due to cholesterol plaques or inflammation of the vascular wall), increased pressure on the extremities can aggravate metabolic and gas exchange in tissues and cause necrosis.
Do not prohibit, but also do not recommend wearing compression underwear for varicose veins:
- for severe heart failure( additional compression can provoke gas exchange abnormalities and necrosis);
- diabetes mellitus( damage to fragile vascular walls, the appearance of hemorrhages and thrombi);
- any acute inflammatory processes affecting the vascular wall, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis( inflammation narrows the vessel wall, disrupting blood supply to the tissues, increased pressure can provoke anoxia, occurrence of blood clots, ulcers and necrosis);
- skin diseases, open wounds, purulent tissue infections, allergic skin sensitivity to manufacturing materials( fiber, lycra, cotton, silicone).
Part of patients with varicose veins are considered complicating the atrophy of the smooth muscle of the vascular wall due to prolonged wearing of knitwear. And they are afraid of its consequences - after cancellation of linen the vascular walls under the influence of blood flow can stretch even more.
This unfounded fear, angio-surgeons and phlebologists argue that feeling of relaxation of the vascular walls after the abolition of linen - a natural process, to a lack of "support" to get used to, at this point the patient without reason, it seems that varices progresses with a vengeance.
Incorrect choice of the degree of compression, the type of jersey and the wearing regime can worsen the condition of the veins and provoke the development of complications( thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers).
How to put on linen
There are rules that need to be adhered to when putting on compression knitwear:
- puts on linen in the morning, after sleeping, without getting out of bed;
- feet should be dry;
- if you need to wear knitwear during the day - you need to lie on your back( without a pillow) and raise your legs for 15-10 minutes, placing a roller under your feet( at an angle of 40 ° to the body);
- stocking or golf hands are assembled in the "accordion" to the heel;
- the remaining free knitted sock is worn on the toes of the foot;
- fix the heel( it is located exactly on the anatomical heel, does not have to crawl, "move" to the left or to the right);
- underwear is evenly distributed over the leg, from the ankle to the thigh;
- ensures that it does not twist, does not "wrinkle", does not form a crease;
- the top part of the tights( from the hip to the waist) is worn by lifting the pelvis without getting out of bed.
Rules for putting on compression linen. Click on the picture to enlarge For knitwear without a sock and heel, special "sliding" socks are designed to facilitate the process. In order not to make hooks and not to deform the canvas, wear linen is recommended in medical gloves.
How to take care of jersey
Good medical knitwear:
- Should be seamless to ensure a uniform pressure on the skin surface.
- Should be hypoallergenic, this allows you to use it in the hot season.
- Special weaving of threads from cotton, lycra and microfiber in a different percentage regulates the gas exchange and skin temperature, allowing it to "breathe" and not overheat.
- The shelf life of compressive knitwear is from 5 to 7 months, it is not recommended to use it longer, as it loses its properties( stretched).
To not throw it away before this time, you need to look after it properly. Do not recommend:
- to pull on linen, holding on to silicone strips or rubber bands, so as not to damage;
- wash in a washing machine and at a temperature above 40 °( hand wash only);
- use detergent and rinse aid( only soap);
- squeeze and twist( dried in a straightened form, spreading in a horizontal plane, after having been wetted with a towel);
- to dry in the sun, a central heating battery or near other heating appliances;
- wet the silicone fixing strips on the inside of the stocking or golf( recommend rubbing them with alcohol).
Compression hosiery can be washed daily.
How long to wear?
The length of the period of wearing compression linen is determined by the individual indications and recommendations of the doctor:
- Prophylactic knitwear is recommended to wear the entire gestation period( taking off at night), and in the initial stages of varicose veins to wear( if it is connected with the load on the legs), to hiking, inflight on an airplane and in other situations that can provoke the development of varicose veins.
- Therapeutic is worn solely on the indications and prescription of the doctor. After surgery, a continuous period of wearing can be from 2-3 to 30 days. With interruptions - up to 4 months or more.
After prolonged wearing, remove the laundry gradually: first at night, then increase the time, bringing breaks to several days, and remove completely.
Which linen is better
Before using compressible underwear with varicose we will decide which is better? Domestic and imported producers offer a variety of types of preventive and therapeutic knitwear, they are distinguished by minor nuances in the manufacture( special binding of threads, variations in composition and difference in percentage, antifungal and other impregnation), service life and price.
| Manufacturer name | Price | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Intex( Russia) | Price of compression stockings 1 class - from 1400 to 1600 rubles | Quality domestic knitwear, it serves up to 4-5 months, quickly enough to wipe the toe and heel |
| Relaxan( Italy) | The prices for products start from 500 rubles, stockings of 1 class will cost the buyer 1122 rubles | Quality linen, but it does not last long - up to 2 months, when worn it can put pressure on the heel, quickly rubs on the heel. |
| Venotex Terapi( USA) | Comp1 class stockings will cost from 2800 to 3600 rubles | The manufacturing process ensures the product strength and long life - up to 7 months |
| Copper( Germany) | Stockings of the 1st class - 7000 rubles | Quality, durable and durable jersey, serves up to 5-6 months |
| ORTO( Germany) | Stockings of the 1st class - 1495 rubles | Sufficiently high-quality linen with a democratic price, it serves from 4 to 5 months, but quickly wears on the toe and heel |
| Sigvaris( Switzerland) | Price starts from 2000, stockings2 classes toExpressions will cost the buyer 8500 rubles | Elite, high-quality compression knitwear, with increased wear resistance and shelf life( up to 7 months) |
When choosing the option, proceed from the recommendations of the treating doctor, if he does not insist on choosing the manufacturer, remember:
- Type of productexcept for tights) is chosen so that the top edge of the product( stocking, sock) is above the border of varicose for 15-20 cm
- The class of knitwear is chosen only after consulting a doctor.
- Products have absolute and relative contraindications to wearing, and in this case their application can do much harm.
- There are no side effects for the right clothes.
- The service life of compression knitwear can be extended if properly maintained( worn in medical gloves, washed by hand, dried horizontally).
- Compression underwear helps treat varicose veins only in combination with drugs, otherwise the effect will be temporary and unstable.
To get used to knitwear, learn how to properly wear and care, at first recommend to choose inexpensive products.