What can compression legwear do to help?

More and more healthcare professionals understand the important role that medical graduated compression stockings can play in Preventative and Therapeutic venous care.

Graduated compression legwear offer a cost-effective alternative method of treatment both for preventative and post operative leg problems.  Graduated compression stockings are a safe, non-invasive medical product with an undisputed history of therapeutic benefits.

Preventative Care and Therapeutic Care  

 

Early treatment is crucial for the health of your feet and legs.

The removal of the waste products of metabolism takes place via the vein system. Our blood must circulate through the body and return to the heart against the force of gravity. This function is assisted by venous valves which open one way and allow blood to flow upwards to the heart. Blood is propelled upward toward the heart by leg muscle contractions against the vein. The heart’s pumping power alone is insufficient to return the blood from the leg veins to the heart. As valves become incompetent, the use of graduated compression stockings can be used to aid blood flow.

Graduated compression stockings are scientifically designed to regulate blood flow velocity through the feet and legs.  Blood flows faster in compressed vessels than in dilated ones.  By applying external compression, the lumen of the veins is reduced, thereby increasing blood velocity.  This also causes valves which have become incompetent to become competent again because the diameter of the vein is decreased and the valve cusps can then meet in the centre of the lumen.

The compression must be graduated, or strongest at the ankle and decreasing as it extends up the leg.  This is important in counter-acting the forces of gravity.  Only stockings with graduated compression will be effective in preventing the development of oedema, which develops when high venous pressure forces serum through the vein wall from the lumen into surrounding tissue.

The goal of compression therapy is to:

  • Prevent decrease in blood flow velocity
  • Restore blood flow velocity to normal
  • Prevent raised intravascular and tissue pressures

Compression levels are defined in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) – the universal measure of pressure.  Graduated compression stockings are available in several classes.  The chart below defines the main generally accepted pressures for common venous disease.  Your doctor can help you determine the correct compression for your specific needs. This is only a guide to compression therapy.