Compression stockings are prescribed for daily wear for varicose veins in the legs, venous insufficiencies, heavy legs or even strongly recommended for long plane trips (more than 3 hours). Very common, venous disease appears when the veins of the lower legs no longer properly fulfill their role of bringing blood back to the heart. Consequences: the blood stagnates and the pressure increases inside a vein which then ends up dilating giving rise to varicosities or a varicose vein.
The causes can be variable: age, hormonal factors, heredity, pregnancy, overweight, air travel of more than 3 hours and generally a sedentary lifestyle are the main culprits. It must be treated because this venous insufficiency can worsen or even be complicated by manifestations such as phlebitis or para phlebitis.
We can find the terms contention or compression, be careful however not to confuse medical contention for medical reasons and sports compression, compression sleeves or socks used in particular by runners so that during significant physical effort, the venous return is improved (apart from any initial venous pathology).
1. Should you wear compression stockings every day?
According to the Haute Autorité de Santé, stockings are suitable for long-term use. Also for optimal efficiency, they must be worn every day. But if this is experienced as a constraint, then it is better to wear them when you get home in the evening (but then the legs will have already swollen during the day, so they will be more difficult to put on). In prevention or when the disorders are mild, the wearing of compression stockings can be restricted to risky activities: long plane journeys, prolonged standing.
But you should know that the port of contention constitutes the basic treatment of any venous insufficiency, from the first stages. This restraint exerts a decreasing pressure: from the ankle where the pressure is maximum towards the top of the leg. This pressure reduces the caliber of the veins and promotes venous return.
2.How to choose between compression stockings, socks or tights?
It’s initially a personal choice but not only because some doctors may prescribe stockings or tights depending on the initial pathology. But overall the effectiveness is the same whether it is socks, tights or hold-up stockings.
Attention only a correct measurement taken preferably in the morning will allow to have a support stocking adapted to its morphology which is effective and which does not compress the varicose veins.
And open feet? Yes for an aesthetic interest (to see his nails but the bottom remains visible all the same in a sandal since he must wrap the instep to ensure compression. It is especially recommended if you suffer from problems at the level of the front of the foot like aHallux valgus.
3. Which texture, which material to choose?
The current compression stockings are no longer those worn by our grannies and grandmothers! Indeed, they have evolved and are made of finer mesh, which can even go as far as a transparent veil or, on the contrary, opaque with patterns that adapt to any style of clothing.
Many colors are also available with classic colors such as black or beige but also many modern colors. Find on the Docmorris website, the many pharmaceutical brands allowing you to choose your compression stockings in complete efficiency.
- Sigvaris Diaphane Tights Class 2 Size L
- Sigvaris Opalis Self-Fixing Stockings Class 2 Size S
- Gibaud Venactif Optimum Tech Socks Class 2 Size 1
- Gibaud Venactif Optimum Tech Socks Class 2 Size 3
It is also possible to choose thicker textures for winter but also suitable tights for pregnant women.
Finally, as explained in paragraph 4, there are class I and II compression models (these are the most common) with a difference often in the transparency of the mesh. Cotton, linen or bamboo are breathable materials available for people who sweat a lot and have the additional advantage of being suitable for sensitive skin.
4. What level of compression should I choose?
There are 4 levels of compression depending on the seriousness of the pathology to be treated and the unit of measurement for these different levels is the millimeter of mercury (mm of Hg); class 1 is the weakest in terms of compression and class 4 the strongest.