Support stockings, known in the trade as compression stockings, can relieve these ailments and provide an important treatment option.
What are support stockings?
Support stockings are stockings, or optionally tights, that exert increased compression on the leg veins due to their material and method of manufacture. Venous disorders are among the most common diseases of our civilization. Many people, especially women, tend to have weak connective tissue, which can also affect the leg veins and lead to venous weakness over the years. This is not without risk, as venous disease can lead to open leg ulcers and thromboembolism if left untreated. Support stockings are stockings, or alternatively tights, which exert increased compression on the leg veins due to their material and method of manufacture. They are to be understood as a medical aid. They can be purchased or provided by health insurance by prescription.
Shapes, types and styles
There are different forms of support stockings. In addition to the distinction of compression class (1, 2, 3), which indicates the strength in which the compression acts on the leg, there is further differentiation between circular knitted and flat knitted compression stockings. Flat knit is used primarily for lymphedema or lipedema, both to provide increased compression and to accommodate the massively increased leg circumference. Flat-knit compression stockings are significantly more expensive than round-knit stockings, which is why health insurance companies ask very carefully here whether the indication for flat-knit stockings is actually given. In addition, support stockings can have an open or a closed toe. The upper support of the stocking is usually rubberized to adhere to the leg permanently. There is the compression stocking in all imaginable colors. Furthermore, there are special compression stockings with zippers that can be used for ulcus cruris, or open leg. For some years now, athletes and especially (marathon) runners have also discovered compression stockings as a way of increasing their performance. However, this is of less interest to the recreational athlete.
Structure, function and mode of action
Support stockings work extremely effectively in a simple way. Through compression, the vein walls are pressed closer together, the venous valves close better as a result, the venous blood does not back up into the leg, edema (water retention) and the risk of thrombus formation (blood clots) are reduced. However, wearing compression stockings is often also perceived as a burden. The compression can be perceived as uncomfortable; especially in summer, these rather thick stockings are a pain for many patients. Their benefit, however, is undisputed. In principle, compression should start at the toes. However, older, immobile people in particular need a donning aid, which in turn only works effectively with an open toe. Seniors are therefore often prescribed or recommended the support stocking with an open toe.
Medical and health benefits
The medical benefits of support stockings are immense, especially considering their relatively low initial cost. Support stockings are also used not only for chronic diseases, but also directly before and after surgery, after which there is always an increased risk of thrombosis and embolism. Compression stockings are therefore also used prophylactically. This is also the case after prolonged immobility, for example, after a long period of lying down as a result of serious surgery. The jerky standing up and the vertical position can quickly overstrain the body, in the worst case syncope occurs, the patient temporarily loses consciousness. Compression stockings counteract this process. Even pregnant women are advised to wear compression stockings. They are a risk group for venous disorders, which is due on the one hand to the altered hormonal balance during pregnancy, and on the other hand to the increased pressure and altered blood flow that occurs during pregnancy. Support stockings should also be worn for a while after delivery.In summary, it can be said that support stockings are an inexpensive medical aid, which prevent a lot of diseases (thromboses, embolisms, leg ulcers, circulatory problems in case of long immobility) and serve for the treatment of many chronic and acute diseases (leg ulcers, thromboses, lipedema and lymphedema). It is impossible to imagine modern medicine without the support stocking. And those who find the support stocking a blemish have the option of reaching for a pop color of their choice or distracting from it with discreet black, because the skin color that takes getting used to, which we often know from compression stockings on senior citizens’ legs, has long since become obsolete.
