edical compression stockings are a common, non-invasive treatment option for all venous diseases. Long-distance travelers can profit from stockings to prevent edema, especially when combined with mobilization.
When are medical compression stockings used?
Dr. Salama: Primarily for venous symptoms such as feelings of heaviness and tension or increasing pain. But they are also generally frequently encountered in the case of volume and edema formation in the lower leg when standing or sitting during the day or in warm environments, and are an indication for treatment.
How do compression stockings work?
Dr. Salama: Compression stockings are special hosiery that help prevent the occurrence or progression of venous diseases such as edema, phlebitis, and rombosis. They are worn on the legs and compress the limbs, reducing the diameter of dilated veins and increasing the flow rate of venous blood and the effectiveness of venous valves. Compression therapy helps reduce venous pressure, prevents venous congestion and impairment of venous walls, and relieves heavy and painful legs. Despite the fact that compression stocking is successfully used for treatment, it unfortunately has some side effects.
What does wearing compression stockings change?
Dr. Salama: Compression Stockings exert gentle pressure on the legs to move blood up the legs. This helps prevent leg swelling and, to a lesser extent, blood clots. The stockings play an important role in venous diseases, venous ulcers and prevention of thromboembolic diseases of the deep venous system in the legs. Most patients admitted to the hospital are automatically at higher risk of developing thromboembolic disease and should therefore receive appropriate prophylaxis. However, stockings worn improperly can cause significant problems. Side effects of compression stockings include not fitting well, infection, and skin changes such as irritation or allergy. Unevenly distributed, excessive pressure can injure the skin.
What are the actual types of compression stockings?
Dr. Salama: There are graduated compression stockings, anti-embolic stockings and non-medical support stockings. Graduated compression stockings have been used for years as a mechanical method of prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis and are preferred over other mechanical and pharmacological methods. They are inexpensive and easy to use. Anti-embolic stockings are used in cases of high risk of deep vein thrombosis due to immobility and increased prothrombotic activity. Improvement of skin lesions, including eczema, induration, and lipodermatosclerosis caused by chronic venous insufficiency, is regularly observed with compression therapy in routine clinical practice. Nonmedical support stockings are used for the treatment of small venous ulcers. Elastic bandages are preferred to reduce edema in severely swollen limbs or to heal a venous ulcer. Rigid bandages cannot be applied by patients themselves, but must be applied by trained medical personnel and also necessarily changed every few days. After the erapy phase, elastic material, such as stockings or bandages, can be used to maintain the result. Bandages and also compression stockings can be put on by patients themselves and should be taken off before going to bed. The correct technique of putting on a bandage or compression stocking should in any case be explained to the patient in detail and also checked by the doctor from time to time.
