Exploring the World of Modern Compression Stockings

The world of compression stockings has evolved significantly; for many, it’s a new experience. Our expert compression fitters dedicate their time to understanding your needs, ensuring you find the perfect style and fit.

The traditional, unattractive rubber compression hose of the past is no more. Today’s market boasts a variety of innovative fabric designs. These stockings come in various colors and styles, such as sheer fabric, skin tones, and options like open-toe, closed-toe, knee-high, thigh-high, and pantyhose.

Thanks to advancements in weaving technology, top medical-grade compression hose manufacturers are now offering a diverse range of products. Whether for work, sports, or a night out, a compression sock suits every occasion.

What Exactly Are Compression Stockings?

Compression stockings are uniquely designed, form-fitting socks with a stretchy quality that provides gentle compression along your leg. These stockings’ design ensures they fit tighter around the ankle and gradually become less constrictive as they extend up the leg.

Who Benefits from Wearing Compression Stockings?

1. Individuals with or at risk of circulation issues.
2. Post-surgery patients.
3. People with jobs that require prolonged standing or sitting.
4. Athletes.
5. Pregnant women.
6. Long-haul travelers, such as pilots, spend extended periods on airplanes.

For those with symptomatic vein disease, wearing compression stockings while active, except during bathing, is recommended. Delaying wearing them until later in the day can worsen symptoms as blood may already start pooling in the lower legs and feet.

Even for those without varicose veins, compression stockings can be preventive. Compression socks can be beneficial for overall leg health, along with regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, elevating your legs, and reserving high heels for special occasions.

Reasons for Wearing Compression Stockings

People wear compression stockings for various reasons, including comfort, enhanced sports performance, and the prevention of medical conditions.

Fundamentally, these stockings aid in improving blood circulation. They are effective in reducing leg pain and swelling. Additionally, they are crucial in decreasing the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot, and other circulatory issues.

Functionality of Compression Stockings

Compression stockings enhance venous blood flow from the feet to the heart, counteracting gravity’s effects. Medical-grade graduated compression engineering ensures the most vital pressure at the feet, with the pressure gradually decreasing up the calf and thigh. When properly designed and fitted, these stockings prevent the pooling of venous blood in the legs and feet, improve leg symptoms, and reduce the risk of blood clots.

These stockings are also beneficial in reducing leg fatigue and aches. They help alleviate swelling in the feet and ankles and effectively prevent and treat spider and varicose veins. Additionally, they can avoid light-headedness or dizziness when standing up, contributing to overall leg health and comfort.

Understanding Blood Clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Blood clots are usually a result of blood pooling in a particular area. Compression garments are practical because they keep blood circulating, reducing the likelihood of it pooling and forming a clot. If a clot does develop and becomes dislodged, it can travel through the bloodstream and become trapped in a critical area. Blood clots can obstruct blood flow, leading to swelling, skin discoloration, and other severe health issues.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a type of blood clot that forms in the deep veins, most commonly in the legs. DVT can manifest as leg pain or swelling, but it’s also possible for it to occur without any noticeable symptoms. The risk of DVT underscores the importance of measures like wearing compression stockings to maintain healthy blood flow.

Proper Way to Wear Compression Stockings

1. Ensure the stockings are smooth against your skin without any bunching. Ensuring both comfort and effectiveness is essential.
2. Check the length of the stockings. They should be a manageable length. Avoid folding or rolling down the tops, as this can make them overly tight and potentially hinder blood flow or act like a tourniquet, cutting off circulation.
3. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding how often to wear them. If prescribed, you should wear them for most of the day.
4. It’s okay to remove the stockings when showering or bathing.
5. You can wear regular socks, slippers, and shoes over your compression stockings, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout the day.

Understanding Compression Levels in Stockings

Stockings measure compression in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), the same unit used for measuring blood pressure. This unit indicates the pressure exerted by the stockings.

1. 15-20 mmHg (Over-the-Counter): Suitable for extended standing or sitting, travel, pregnancy, and relieving heavy, fatigued, and tired legs.
2. 20-30 mmHg: Helps with painful, tired, and aching legs, spider veins, mild edema due to factors like pregnancy, aging, and traveling, mild to moderate varicose veins, and post-elective surgery such as vein stripping and sclerotherapy, as well as orthostatic/postural hypotension.
3. 30-40 mmHg: Designed for moderate to severe edema during pregnancy and other risk factors, post-surgery conditions like fractures and orthopedics, skin changes with or without healed ulcerations, and vein treatments.
4. 40-50 mmHg and 50-60 mmHg: These are for severe cases such as deep vein thrombosis/post-thrombotic syndrome and severe skin changes with both healed and active ulcerations.

Gradient or graduated compression means the pressure is highest at the ankle and gradually decreases up the leg. Choosing stockings from reputable brands is essential to ensure proper graduated compression. This variation in pressure is crucial for effectiveness and safety, and understanding these levels helps select the correct compression stocking for specific needs and conditions.

Prescription Requirements for Compression Stockings

1. For Health Plan Claims: A prescription with a diagnosis is necessary for compression stockings if you intend to claim them through your health plan. This requirement applies regardless of the compression level.
2. Without Health Plan Claims: If you are not claiming compression stockings through a medical plan, a prescription for compression levels of 30-40 mmHg and higher is required.
3. General Recommendation: Regardless of your situation, it’s advisable to consult with a Physiotherapist/Chiropractor regarding using compression stockings. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you choose the right type and compression level for your needs and health conditions.

Preparing for Your Appointment

1. Arrival Time: Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This extra time is for registration and completing any necessary paperwork.
2. Appropriate Clothing: Opt for loose-fitting clothing. This facilitates easy examination and fitting of compression stockings when necessary.
3. Prescription: Bring a copy of your prescription if required for the compression stockings you need or for claiming costs through your health plan.

Coverage of Compression Stockings by Insurance Plans

1. General Coverage: Most medical insurance plans cover compression stockings, but the extent and conditions of coverage can vary.
2. Plan-Specific Details: Since each insurance plan has its own rules and coverage options, it’s crucial to contact your insurance provider directly to understand the specifics of your coverage for compression stockings.
3. Direct Billing: On request, many providers offer the service of direct billing to your health benefits plan.
4. Plan Restrictions: Be aware that some plans might not allow direct billing. In such cases, members must pay for the services upfront and then submit receipts for reimbursement.
5. Commonly Covered by Many Plans: Insurance providers such as Blue Cross, Belmont, Benefit Plan Administrators, Chamber of Commerce, Claim Secure, Co-operators, Community Services, Desjardins, Equitable Life, Great West Life, Green Shield, Industrial Alliance, Johnson, Manion Wilkins, Manulife, Maximum Benefit Assurance, Standard Life, Sunlife, and Workers Compensation Board are known to cover such products, among others.

It’s always a good idea to verify your specific insurance plan to confirm coverage and understand any procedures related to direct billing or reimbursement.