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Women commonly complain of leg discomfort. Vascular conditions include leg heaviness, discomfort, itching, cramps, pain, paraesthesia and oedema (C3). Conservative management includes compressive leg garments, wound and skin care, pharmacologic therapy and exercise therapy. Pregnant or postpartum women have an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Compression reduces swelling and leg pain during pregnancy.

Prophylactic compression?

Here are the numbers:

• 9% of patients developed DVT if they were wearing compression as compared to 21% developing DVT who were not wearing compression
• 63% reduction in patients forming DVT post-surgery. Flights of at least four hours showed a significant reduction of the formation of DVT and pulmonary embolus.

Recommended tightness/compression of a round knit garment to be up to 30-40mmHg once the patient is mobile.

Types of compression and characteristics

Gradient compression:

• Improvement to the venous and lymph fluid return
• Gradient compression increases the tissue pressure and improves capillary flow
• This helps to reduce swelling
• Counteracts the effects of hydrostatic pressure
• The compression level is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

Circular knit:

• Produced in a tube shape
• Long stretch garments
• The number of needles use in production is fixed
• Thinner yarn which is cosmetically more appealing
• Tendency to curl.

Flat knit:

• Flat piece of fabric, which is stitched to produce the garment
• Short stretch stockings treat lymphoedema
• The total number of needles in use can be increased or decreased
• Flat-knit manufacturing allows variations in width and shape
• Generally coarser, thicker which can bridge skin folds and less likely to tourniquet.

Jobst has opaque and sensitive options

Jobst has enhanced its high-quality thigh-high garments with a more comfortable silicone band solution. Silicone yarns are woven into the welt fabric, not coated onto the material. This ensures even distribution of friction, soft grip on the skin, low sensation of pressure, visibly reduced skin imprints, reduced risk for red marks and irritated
skin, less sweaty feeling underneath the welt, and lower risk of skin irritations caused by maceration. Comfort increases patient compliance in using their compression garment.

Lipoedema

Lipoedema is a chronic metabolic disorder of adipose tissue. It affects 11% of women worldwide and has an onset during hormonal fluctuations. It is hereditary and likely has an underlying obesity factor.

Lipoedema with obesity can induce lymphedema. Patients with this condition benefit from flat knit compression garments. Liposuction and decongestive therapy are the treatments of choice.

Why compression garments for lymphoedema?

• Elastic garment enhances the pumping action of muscles
• Acts as a counterforce against the tissues
• Increases the uptake of fluid
• Reduces excess interstitial fluid
• Gives a patient control
• Massages the superficial lymphatic system
• Flat knit garments are the gold standard choice for lymphoedema.