What Are Compression Socks & Stockings?

SIGVARIS MEDICAL COMPRESSION SOCKS and STOCKINGS
Sigvaris Graduated Support Socks and Stockings are medically tested and proven the world over and are worn by millions. They have been developed with the latest medical and scientific knowledge. These proven medical aids are available in a wide range of styles, in different classes of compression and in many models and sizes. They are comfortable, fashionable and have no unsightly seams. They are coved by most major medial insurance companies if prescribed by our physician for a proven medial condition.

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What Are Compression Socks & Stockings?

SIGVARIS MEDICAL COMPRESSION SOCKS and STOCKINGS
Sigvaris Graduated Support Socks and Stockings are medically tested and proven the world over and are worn by millions. They have been developed with the latest medical and scientific knowledge. These proven medical aids are available in a wide range of styles, in different classes of compression and in many models and sizes. They are comfortable, fashionable and have no unsightly seams. They are coved by most major medial insurance companies if prescribed by our physician for a proven medial condition.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Drop us a line and we’ll get back to you!

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  • Definition Of Compression Therapy

    Compression therapy is the mechanical treatment of venous and lymphatic problems using pressure provided by an elastic bandage, medical compression stockings, socks, and arm-sleeves. It is the basic treatment for chronic venous insufficiency and lymphedema. Treatment of venous problems depends on the severity of the condition. Minor symptoms respond to changes in lifestyle, while more serious conditions may require medication or surgery.


    It is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options. Wearing SIGVARIS® medical compression hosiery provides support for the veins and muscles of the legs. Compression is graduated, strongest at the ankle with decreasing compression up the leg. This design compresses dilated veins to help move blood up the legs and back to the heart.

  • How Are They Constructed?

    Sigvaris medical stockings are specially constructed. Their pressure configuration is such that the greatest pressure is exerted on the ankle region. The compression decreases gradually in the direction of the knee and the thigh. Our physician will determine the degree of the compression of the stocking according to whether the pressure on the leg should be mild, moderate or strong.

  • What Medical Conditions Would Benefit From The Use Of Compression Socks & Stockings?

    Our physician may prescribe medical stockings for any of the venous diseases of the leg. These include, varicose veins, spider veins, venous stasis ulcers and phlebitis. They may also be used to reduce swelling and aching in the legs from other medical conditions. They are prescribed if other treatment of venous disease is not possible either temporarily or permanently and also used to help arrest or slow the deterioration of an existing condition.

If the blood in the veins of the legs does not move efficiently back to the heart, it begins to pool in the veins. When this happens, the pressure within these vessels rises, causing vein walls to weaken and stretch or distend. As more and more blood pools, distention prevents the valves in the veins from coming together properly. Under normal conditions, these valves would open to allow blood to flow up the leg, and then close to prevent blood from flowing back down the leg vein. When the vein is distended and the valves cannot close properly, blood flows backward, which increases blood pressure in the vein even. At this point, varicose veins can be the unfortunate result.

Varicose veins are visibly enlarged veins that are often bluish in color and may appear twisted. They can be painful, or they may cause no discomfort at all. If the deeper veins in the legs are healthy, varicose veins may only be a cosmetic problem. However, a person with varicose veins has a greater chance of developing phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein with a blood clot), or a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a deep vein that can break away, lodge in the lungs, and become life threatening).
If the blood in the veins of the legs does not move efficiently back to the heart, it begins to pool in the veins. When this happens, the pressure within these vessels rises, causing vein walls to weaken and stretch or distend. As more and more blood pools, distention prevents the valves in the veins from coming together properly. Under normal conditions, these valves would open to allow blood to flow up the leg, and then close to prevent blood from flowing back down the leg vein. When the vein is distended and the valves cannot close properly, blood flows backward, which increases blood pressure in the vein even. At this point, varicose veins can be the unfortunate result.
Varicose veins are visibly enlarged veins that are often bluish in color and may appear twisted. They can be painful, or they may cause no discomfort at all. If the deeper veins in the legs are healthy, varicose veins may only be a cosmetic problem. However, a person with varicose veins has a greater chance of developing phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein with a blood clot), or a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a deep vein that can break away, lodge in the lungs, and become life threatening).
Phlebitis/Thrombophlebitis
Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein wall, and is the most common problem associated with varicose veins.

Thrombophlebitis is a blood clot in a superficial (surface) vein that can be caused by irritation or injury to the vein in the area of the clot. Symptoms are similiar to, but more severe than those associated with phlebitis.
  • Symptoms Of Phlebitis
    • Swelling, redness and heat in the irritated area
    • Superficial (surface) veins more noticeable
    • Pain or discomfort over the involved area
  • Lymphedema

    Fluid from body tissues, known as lymph, enters lymphatic vessels and travels to lymph nodes where it is filtered of bacteria before reentering the bloodstream.


    Lymphedema is the accumulations of lymph fluid, usually in the extremities, due to failure of the lymphatic system to properly drain fluid from the body’s tissues. There are two types of lymphedema: primary lymphedema which is inherited and secondary lymphedema which is a result of trauma to the body such as surgery, radiation therapy, injury, infection, or an inflammatory condition. Lymphedema may also be caused by parasitic infections (filariasis) – a condition that is found mainly in the tropics.

  • Treatment For Lymphedema

    Presently, there is no cure for lymphedema, but the condition can be contained. The most widely accepted treatment for lymphedema, a complex physical decongestive therapy (CPDT), involves four steps:

    1. Manual lymph drainage (MLD) – daily massage and physiotherapy to improve lymph drainage
    2. Compression therapy – wrapping the limbs after each MLD session with compression bandages
    3. Once maximal reduction has been achieved, a custom-made or ready-to-wear compression garment is worn.
    4. Skin care and exercises. Patient is required to wear the compression garment for the rest of her/his life.

    Lymphedema patients are usually encouraged to maintain good skin integrity and to walk often. SIGVARIS® graduated medical compression stockings and armsleeves play a vital role in maintenance therapy for lymphedema.

  • Chronic Venous Insufficiency

    Chronic venous insufficiency or CVI is a condition in which the venous system remains in a constant state of congestion, and ineffective venous circulation becomes an ongoing health problem. CVI progresses to recurring skin problems and leg ulcers.

  • Symptoms Of CVI
    • Edema or swelling
    • Feeling of heaviness in the legs
    • Pain or cramps in the calves
    • Uncomfortable puffiness of the feet and ankles that subside during the night
    • Skin discolorations
    • Dermatitis or skin problems
    • Dry or weeping eczema
    • Venous leg ulcer

    The characteristic symptom of CVI is edema or swelling, but edema can also be a symptom of other medical disorders, such as congestive heart failure. Your doctor can determine the cause of edema and the most appropriate treatment.

  • What Else Are Compression Socks & Stockings Used For?

    Many people wear Sigvaris products whenever their legs are inactive and restricted in movement for along period of time such as when they are traveling. By exerting pressure on the legs they reduce swelling and thus aching and are thought to reduce the incidence of Travel Thrombosis (blood clots which can migrate to the lungs and can cause illness and even death).

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis

    Deep vein thrombosis of DVT is a blood clot in one of the deep veins, which can have life-threatening consequences. A DVT can become dislodged and flow through the bloodstream and lodge in the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism and it has the potential to cause death.

  • Risk Factors For DVT

    Any condition that thickens the blood or causes the blood flow to slow down is a risk factor for DVT. Risk factors include:

    • Immobility
    • Long-distance travel with cramped seating
    • Dehydration
    • Existing varicose veins or previous DVT’s
    • Increasing age over 40
    • Pregnant or recently pregnant
    • Hormone medication
    • Obesity
    • Recent surgery
    • Smoking
  • Symptoms Of DVT
    • Pain and tenderness in one leg
    • Swelling in one leg
    • Increased warmth and redness in one leg
    • Shortness of breath
    • Pain in the chest

    DVT’s can also occur with no symptoms.

  • Indications

    Compression Therapy


    Pressure on the ankle is defined according to pressure classes, increasing from Class I to Class IV.


    SIGVARIS CLASS I

    Light Compression:

    • symptoms of venous diseases
    • in the legs
    • beginning of varicosis
    • prophylaxis of thrombosis

    SIGVARIS CLASS II

    Moderate Compression:

    • moderate chronic venous insufficiency
    • edema in the evening
    • after sclerotherapy, phlebectomy or after stripping
    • varicosis, varicosis due to pregnancy

    SIGVARIS CLASS III

    Strong Compression:

    • pronounced chronic venous insufficiency
    • deep and superficial venous thrombosis
    • post-thrombosis syndrome
    • before-and after-stripping
    • post-traumatic oedema
    • phlebectomy, sclerotherapy
    • profound recent thrombosis
    • reversible lymphoedema