Compression stockings - check with your doctor

Compression stockings are used to treat and prevent a variety of conditions affecting the blood vessels of the legs. How and under what circumstances doctors prescribe to patients wearing compression stockings?

Compression stockings - a support tights, which, according to the recommendations of the expert, can be worn by both women and men. They are a means for applying compression therapy - a technique that helps to improve blood circulation and relieve the symptoms of many diseases, particularly varicose veins. Compression stockings are significantly more expensive than usual; the most expensive are the tights, made to order. If a doctor writes a prescription for compression stockings, medical insurance may cover some of their costs.

Operating principle

Compression stockings squeeze the muscles and veins in the legs, with the strongest pressure usually falls on the shin. Typically, compression strength decreases in the upper leg. Doctors recommend patients wear compression stockings to improve the natural "pump", pushing the blood up. Thanks to compression "pumps" work well, not only when a person walks or playing sports, but when he is sitting or lying down. Such a mechanism of action to prevent the formation of blood clots in hospitalized patients, virtually devoid of the ability to move.

Beneficial features

Wearing compression stockings helps prevent ambulatory hypertension and the development of many diseases of the veins, as well as to minimize the swelling of the legs. It also allows you to ease the pain and discomfort suffered by patients immobilized. Improve blood circulation, compression stockings to prevent the appearance of symptoms associated with thrombosis Thrombosis - the cause of heart attack and stroke .

Application

Compression stockings are a standard means of treatment and prevention of various conditions. Before surgery patients sometimes recommend wearing compression stockings to reduce the risk of complications; This is especially important if the patient is suffering from deep vein thrombosis, or he has risk factors for the development of this disorder. Patients who are at increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, and who will be a long journey, and it is recommended to wear compression stockings (usually low grade - with a relatively low compression), as this helps to prevent fluid retention in the legs. Compression stockings are also used to relieve the symptoms of varicose veins and prevent the formation of venous ulcers.

Indications

Compression stockings are recommended for patients who have the following problems:

• Frequent fatigue and pain in the legs Pain in the legs - from which they arise?   - Often it is associated with a slowing of blood circulation in the legs, and can be a precursor to serious violations affecting the veins and arteries;
• Chronic lack of peripheral veins;
• Spider veins;
• Varicose;
• Lymphedema;
• Phlebitis;
• Deep vein thrombosis;
• Lipodermatosclerosis;
• Economy Class Syndrome - so the condition that occurs in people who are often traveling by plane. Gravity, stiffness, small space between the seats leads to the fact that the circulation in the legs is slowed down considerably. Very often the problem faced by those who fly economy class; in business class there is usually a place where you can stretch your legs, which reduces the load on the blood vessels.

Compression stockings are also recommended for pregnant women who are due to hormonal changes and other reasons, are particularly susceptible to various diseases associated with blood vessels in the legs.

Contraindications

Compression stockings are contraindicated in patients with the following disorders:

• Severe forms of peripheral artery obstruction;
• Septic phlebitis;
• Congestive heart failure;
• Peripheral neuropathy;
• Purulent dermatitis.

Before recommending to the patient one or another type of compression stockings, a doctor must:

Exclude arterial insufficiency:

• Measure ankle-brachial index of systolic blood pressure (ABI; to determine the index value of systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the ankle divided by the systolic brachial artery) using Doppler ultrasound (some experts believe that it is not necessary in cases where the pulse is easily detectable on patient's foot, no symptoms of diseases of the arteries, and is not intended purpose tights with strong compression);
• ABI less than 0.5 - wearing compression stockings is contraindicated, since there is a greater chance of developing arterial disease;
• ABI between 0.5 and 0.8 - wearing compression stockings is completely safe for the patient;
• ABI over 1.3 - to avoid compression as high ABI may be a sign of calcified, nekompressiruemyh arteries. The patient, ABI is greater than 1.3, you must be examined by a specialist in vascular diseases.

Check the condition of the skin:

• The fragile skin can be damaged when the patient will be put on or take off compression stockings;
• Ideally, venous ulcers must be cured before you start wearing compression stockings;
• In some skin diseases compression hosiery may be contraindicated.

Determine whether the patient is put on and take off on their own compression stockings:

• Patients with certain diseases, such as arthritis, can be extremely difficult to get on and off by the product of compression hosiery Compression knitwear - observe the following rules . This problem is particularly acute for the elderly;
• If the patient is experiencing such difficulties, the doctor must find out whether it is possible to get help from social workers or close relatives, before recommending the patient to wear compression stockings.

It should be noted that the finished compression stockings, as a rule, can be purchased without a prescription, but better yet, consult a doctor beforehand.

Precautions for the appointment of compression hosiery

Compression acting on the leg of a patient suffering from poor blood circulation may result in limb ischemia and tissue necrosis. Although easily palpable pulse in the feet is considered a good indicator of the circulation in the arteries, some scientific evidence suggests that relying solely on this feature, you can lose sight of the various serious violations relating to the functioning of the arteries.

Recommendations for LPI level at which you can assign wearing compression stockings are based on expert opinion and data compression hosiery manufacturers.

In the treatment of venous ulcers can be recommended a graded layered jersey - the results of several studies confirm its effectiveness. The main purpose of the appointment of compression stockings for patients suffering from venous ulcers - prevention of new ulcers. The patient should be careful when removing and putting on compression stockings to prevent damage to the healing of ulcers.

To maximize the effectiveness of compression, patients are advised to wear compression stockings during the day. They should be removed only before going to bed Dreams: how to understand our dreams And put on again in the morning. If the patient after wearing compression stockings begins skin irritation, or he experiences discomfort and pain, you should immediately remove the tights and as soon as possible to see a doctor.