Support stockings, known as compression stockings in technical jargon, can alleviate these ailments and represent an important treatment option.
What are support stockings?
Venous disorders are one of the most common diseases in 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 if left untreated, venous diseases can lead to an open leg (ulcus cruris) and thromboembolism.
Under Support stockings one understands stockings, optionally also tights, which exert an increased compression on the leg veins due to their material and the way they are manufactured. They are to be understood as a medical aid. They can be purchased or provided by health insurance by prescription.
Shapes, types & types
There are different forms of Support stockings. In addition to the differentiation of the compression class (1, 2, 3), which indicates the strength in which the compression acts on the leg, there is also a differentiation between round-knitted and flat-knitted compression stockings.
Flat knit is mainly used for lymphedema or lipedema in order to guarantee both increased compression and the massively increased leg circumference. Flat-knitted compression stockings are significantly more expensive than round-knitted ones, which is why the health insurance companies ask very carefully whether the indication for flat-knitted stockings is actually given.
In addition, support stockings can have an open or a closed toe. The upper bracket of the stocking is usually rubberized in order to adhere permanently to the leg. The compression stocking is available in all imaginable colors.
There are also special compression stockings with zippers that can be used for leg ulcers, i.e. the open leg. For some years now, athletes and especially (marathon) runners have discovered compression stockings for themselves in order to increase their performance. For the recreational athlete, however, this is of less interest.
Structure, function & mode of operation
Support stockings work extremely effectively in a simple way. The compression presses the vein walls closer together, the venous valves close better again, the venous blood does not back up in the leg, edema (water retention) and the risk of thrombus formation (blood clots) are reduced.
However, wearing compression stockings is often perceived as a burden. The compression can be perceived as uncomfortable, especially in summer these very thick stockings are a pain for many patients. However, their benefit is undisputed. Basically, compression should start with the toes.
Older, immobile people in particular need a dressing aid, which in turn only works effectively with an open tip. The support stocking with an open tip is therefore often prescribed or recommended for seniors.
Medical & health benefits
The medical benefits of Support stockings is immense, especially considering the relatively low acquisition cost. Support stockings are not only used for chronic illnesses, but also immediately before and after operations, after which there is always an increased risk of thrombosis and embolism. Compression stockings are also used prophylactically.
This is also the case after a long period of immobility, for example after a long period of lying down as a result of serious operations. Jerking up and standing upright can quickly overwhelm the body; in the worst case, syncope occurs and the patient temporarily loses consciousness. Compression stockings counteract this process. Compression stockings are even recommended for pregnant women.
They are a risk group for venous disorders, which is due on the one hand to the changed hormonal balance during pregnancy and on the other hand to the increased pressure and the changed blood flow that occurs during pregnancy. Support stockings should also be worn for a while after delivery.
In summary, it can be stated that support stockings are a cheap medical aid that prevent a lot of diseases (thromboses, embolisms, leg ulcers, circulatory problems with long immobility) and are used to treat many chronic and acute diseases (leg ulcers, thromboses, lip and blood cells) Lymphedema).
The support stocking has become an indispensable part of modern medicine. And those who perceive the support stocking as a flaw have the opportunity to choose a trendy color of their choice or to distract from it with a subtle black, because the skin color that takes getting used to, which we often know from compression stockings on senior citizens' legs, has long since had its day.
