- Compression stockings in the prevention and treatment of venous ulcers
- Classification
- Appointment
- Use and Care
Appointment compression hosiery
Before you assign patient wearing compression stockings
Compression stockings - check with your doctor
or other articles of knitwear, the physician should make sure that it fits a means of treatment. To do this, examine the history of the patient, a medical examination, as well as elaborate the patient about his diagnosis and why choose one or another type of therapy.
Applying a systematic approach helps a specialist to determine the most appropriate type and class of compression hosiery.
During the preliminary examination the doctor, as a rule, do the following:
- Rate peripheral circulation. For this purpose and held Doppler determined ankle-brachial index of systolic blood pressure
Blood pressure - dangerous if his swing?
(LPI). If there are significant violations of blood circulation in the peripheral arteries, the high level of compression is contraindicated.
- Take into account the patient's age and overall health. It may depend on what type of compression jersey will be assigned to the patient.
- To assess the state of the skin. It is important to identify the areas of the skin that are particularly prone to damage - for example, those that are recently healed venous ulcers. Thus areas may require additional protection.
- To reduce the risk of allergic reactions
Allergic reactions: how to understand why you tickle in the throat
. The structure of almost all materials that make modern compression stockings, in a given amount includes lycra, nylon and lycra. To reduce the risk of allergies, all of the fibers during production covered by a layer of cotton. Some patients who have allergies to certain materials, under tights recommended to wear special bandages of pure cotton.
Size
To purchase compression stockings of appropriate size, it is necessary to properly measure the circumference and length of the patient's legs. Tights, suitable for the size of the patient, will create an effective gradient compression and provide maximum comfort. A wrong size can cause injury, discomfort and, sometimes, even to the appearance of ulcers.
Typically, metering feet done when compression stockings style is already selected. It is recommended to do in the morning, until the swelling had formed or immediately after compression bandages removed (if the patient wore them). During the measurement of the patient both feet should be flat on the floor. It is necessary to measure both feet as between them can be significant differences. If a patient plans to wear compression stockings to the knee, to be measured:
- Shin in its narrowest point;
- The distance from the heel to the knee;
- Ankle circumference at its widest spot.
To select a suitable size tights, to do all the measurements listed above, as well as measure the circumference of the widest portion of the thigh and the distance from the heel to the gluteal fold and up to your waist.
After all measurements are made, it is necessary to examine the size of the table, which provide manufacturers compression hosiery
Compression knitwear - observe the following rules
And find suitable tights or socks. Typically, the table can be found on the official website. If the measurement results do not match any of the sizes listed in the table have to do compression stockings or socks to order.
In most cases, according to doctors, compression tights, stockings and socks are equally effective, so the patient can decide for himself what he prefers to wear. Tights are appointed only in cases where the patient has swelling above the knee, or there is a deformation of the joint, but at his own request, he can wear them and, for example, for the treatment of mild forms of varicose veins.
Compliance
Compliance - is a commitment to the patient's prescribed treatment
. When using compression hosiery it is quite a serious problem
. For effective prevention of venous ulcers treatment compliance is crucial
. Very important is the motivation of the patient and his awareness of his own illness and the need to use the chosen method of treatment
. That is why it is important that doctors tell patients about the details of their illness and why it should be treated in this way
. In addition, the relationship of trust with the doctor to help the patient to follow the recommendations of the expert
. Patients should provide information not only verbally but also in writing; Many doctors give the addresses of sites where you can learn more about the disease and treatment methods set out in an accessible way
. This approach promotes deep involvement of the patient in the treatment process, and strengthens his sense of responsibility for their own health
.
Some patients are too difficult to wear compression stockings class 2, and they eventually just stop wearing them. In such cases, we recommend wearing two pairs of tights Class 1 - it's much better than nothing.
You should also provide patients with information about nutrition, physical activity and the need to properly rest (including high lift his legs while resting) - these measures increase the effectiveness of treatment. It is particularly important that the patient is constantly getting exercise; very helpful brisk walking, jogging and sit-ups - such exercises help calves to serve as a pump, and complement the effect of compression stockings.