Compression stockings for varicose veins and compressions stockings for deep vein thrombosis, as the name suggests are designed to compress the legs. The pressure that they apply improves blood flow from your legs to your heart. Essentially, they improve the drainage of the legs. Compression stockings NZ can be used to improve the symptoms of varicose veins and to prevent and/or manage deep vein thrombosis.
Below we discuss the benefits of wearing compression socks and how they work. We also cover the instructions for wearing them after treatment.
Compression stockings cover your feet/ankles and legs. At Palm Clinic we supply below knee compression as these are far better tolerated than thigh high compression.
The pressure that they apply to the legs works to narrow the size of the deep veins which helps to improve blood flow (much like narrowing the tip of a hose increases flow). This increases return of blood from the legs up to the heart improving symptoms of varicose veins (aching, heaviness and swelling) and reducing the chance of deep vein thrombosis.
When wearing compression stockings, please check your legs daily for signs of skin irritation or redness. The presence of skin irritation may indicate that your stockings don’t fit properly, have been put on incorrectly or an allergy to the stockings. In this case, please remove the stocking and contact Palm Clinic.
Compression stockings/ socks can:
You must wear the Class 2 compression stocking 24 hours a day, including sleeping and showering for the first THREE DAYS after treatment. From DAY FOUR onwards you can remove the stocking for sleeping and showering but must wear them during the daytime until two weeks from the first day of treatment.
The stocking is a lighter Class 1 compression and only needs to be worn for THREE DAYS for 24 hours a day, then for FOUR DAYS just during the daytime.
Compression stockings come in different sizes and levels of compression to suit the need and the leg size. Occasionally, a leg will not be suitable for an ‘off the rack’ stocking and we will refer you to have a stocking custom fitted. In most cases though, we will measure your calf and ankle circumference to choose the appropriate stocking.
Our compression stockings have ‘graduated pressure’ meaning the pressure is highest at the foot and ankle and gets slightly less as they go up the leg. This creates a pressure gradient which helps the venous circulation return fluid back up the leg.
Your Palm Clinic Doctor will assess your suitability for compression stockings.
We may recommend either a lower grade of compression, or to not wear them at all if:
Ideally, do not take the stockings off for the first THREE DAYS, so try to wear them while showering. Treat them like a second skin. It is true that the hosiery is not easy to dry. Try using a fresh towel on the hosiery, and drying the thicker parts with a hair dryer. Be careful in the shower – water, soap and hosiery can be very slippery.
Unlike normal socks, do not bunch your compression socks up before putting them on. The compression is too high to allow you to pull them up this way.
If your socks are ‘toeless’ then putting a plastic bag or similar over the top of your toes before sliding the compression socks up will make the process easier.
Wearing plastic gloves, or dishwashing gloves makes it much easier to grip the stocking material.
Place the stocking over your foot and pull them back to above your heel bit by bit. Once you have pulled the stocking above your heel, then work it bit by bit over the ankle and up to the upper calf. They only need to cover your upper calf, do not attempt to have them cover the knee. The upper end of the stocking should come to the narrow part of your upper calf below the knee, before the knee widens.
Smooth out any wrinkles in the stocking as any bunching can irritate the skin.
Either stocking can go on either leg: there is no need to choose a left or right.
For the first three days while wearing the stockings in the shower you can wash them like a second skin. Use shower gel and make sure to rinse them well while you are wearing them. You can dry them either with a hair dryer or a warm towel after showering.
From day four onwards you can hand wash them. They can dry over the top of a towel on the heated towel rail. Do not tumble dry.
Very rarely compression stockings can cause issues. If you notice any of the below, remove your stocking and call Palm Clinic:
Our highly skilled medical team treat you with care and understanding.
139 Remuera Rd, Remuera
Auckland 1050
Ph 09 522 8128 | 0800 4 PALMCLINIC
[email protected]
Healthlink EDI is ‘palmclin’
Take advantage of our Interest Free Payment plans to cover the cost of your treatment.
To apply online go to: www.qmastercard.co.nz and click on APPLY NOW
Talk to our staff today to find out more about our flexible payment options.
* Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply.
Please note that individual results may vary from patient to patient, and the information provided on our website is only a guidance to the possible results.
© 2022 Palm Clinic / Privacy Policy / Login