Medical compression stockings are an important adjunct to the treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency in the lower extremities, and an effective means of preventing venous hypertension in the lower extremities, by promoting the return of blood to the heart through a decreasing pressure gradient from the ankle to the thigh.
A. Who need to wear elastic stockings?
1.Pre-operative and post-operative varicose veins of the lower extremities, as well as the auxiliary treatment of patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities in the chronic phase.
2.People who need to stand or sit for a long time, such as with heavy physical labor, especially need.
3.Pregnant women, overly obese people with increased abdominal pressure resulting in increased venous pressure in the lower limbs.
4.People who need to travel long distance by airplane or other means of transportation frequently.
5.People who have family history of varicose veins in lower limbs.
6.Patients who need to be bedridden for a long time after hemiplegia or surgery, patients with malignant tumor and other people at high risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Second, why do we need to wear elastic stockings after varicose vein surgery?
The causes of varicose vein hypertension in the lower extremities are complex, and surgery alone cannot solve all the triggering factors, so although the varicose veins are stripped or closed, they still need to be protected by elastic stockings. Wearing elastic stockings after varicose vein surgery can reduce venous blood stasis, help lower extremity venous blood return, eliminate post-operative lower extremity swelling, and prevent post-operative recurrence, so it is recommended to wear them for a long time.
3.What is the pressure classification of compression stockings and the corresponding indications?
According to the different pressure generated by the elastic stockings, they are divided into 3 levels, of which pressure level 1 is preventive and pressure levels 2-3 are therapeutic.
1. Pressure level 1 (16-22mmHg) is suitable for
People who stand or sit still for a long time at work.
Pregnant women, obese people or people who travel long distances frequently.
Patients with mild varicose veins without significant edema.
For post-operative or long-term bedridden patients to prevent venous thrombosis.
2.Pressure level 2 (23-36mmHg) is suitable for
Patients with mild or marked edema of varicose veins.
After varicose vein surgery or sclerotherapy.
healing of severe recurrent ulcers.
Patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities.
3. Pressure class III (37-46 mmHg) is indicated for
Patients with severe post-deep vein thrombosis, irreversible lymphedema or highly swollen lower limbs.
Is elastic stocking the “thin leg socks” mentioned on the Internet?
It mainly compresses the muscle volume and reduces edema through physical action, so that it has a “thin leg” effect in appearance. The so-called “thin leg socks” will cause proximal high pressure because there is no decreasing pressure gradient, which is not conducive to the return of venous blood, but will increase the swelling of the limb.
V. Do I need to wear elastic stockings all day?
1.Elastic stockings are worn when you wake up, and then you can do your daily activities, and then you can take them off when you sleep at night.
2.Under special circumstances, such as the day of lower limb vein sclerosis treatment, you need to wear them continuously for 24 hours.
How to choose the right compression stocking?
First of all, choose the right compression according to the symptoms of the wearer’s legs, choose the length of the elastic stocking according to the part of varicose veins, measure the circumference of the ankle joint, the circumference of the thickest part of the calf belly and the maximum circumference of the thigh respectively to determine the right size.
7.How to wear the elastic stockings?
Elastic socks are tight and difficult to put on, so you need to master some skills. As shown in the picture, first fold the socks back to the ankle, then put on the foot, and then stretch the folded part of the socks toward the calf to finish putting them on. Some elastic socks have matching foot covers, so you can put on the foot covers first.
Eight, elastic socks daily maintenance tips
1. Don’t let the jewelry or nails scratch the elastic socks when putting them on and taking them off.
2.Wash them in warm water with neutral detergent, do not wring them out, and dry them in a cool place, do not dry them in the sun or under artificial heat.
3.When wearing the elastic socks, you should tighten and stretch them one by one, and not pull them by the side.