What are Compression Socks?
Compression socks are elastic garments worn around the leg, gently compressing the limb. They are specialized stockings, designed to help prevent the occurrence of, and guard against further progression of venous disorders.
What are Venous disorders?
Venous disorders affect your body’s ability to circulate blood around your body and back to your heart. There are many different disorders that fall under this category.
Some common symptoms of venous disorders include:
- swelling of the legs or feet
- heavy, tired, achy legs or feet
- calf cramps or pain
- skin problems such as eczema or discolouration
- visible veins or bulging veins (spider veins or varicose veins)
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Chronic venous disorders can also lead to blood clots or a venous leg ulcer.
Compression stockings or socks can help alleviate the symptoms of venous disorders or to prevent symptoms from developing if you have identifiable risk factors.
They are also helpful if you have diabetes, if your job requires you to sit or stand for long periods, or if you are pregnant. For more information, read our blog post called “Why use compression socks?”
How do Compression socks work?
Stockings gently but firmly squeeze your legs and support the superficial veins. Compression stockings that provide a greater squeeze at the ankles and less squeeze up the leg are called gradient. Gradient compression stockings reduce swelling and help keep blood from pooling in the veins of your leg. Gradient compression stockings help the blood in your veins to flow in the right direction – back toward your heart even if your veins and valves are damaged.
To be most effective, the socks or stockings should be put on at the start of your day and removed before you go to bed. Some people have an inherited weakness of the vein walls or valves which creates additional challenges to venous return. Wearing graduated compression socks or stockings is vital for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins and other circulatory problems.
How does Step by Step help?
- Your Chiropodist can provide an assessment of your condition and recommend the appropriate therapeutic measures.
- Book an appointment, and our trained fitter takes your measurements and can recommend the correct socks or stockings for you based on your lifestyle choices.
