Properly fitting compression
By Dr. Sonja Stiller, Center for Advanced Vein Care
If you see visible signs of varicose veins—including bulging veins and/or spider veins—you may be experiencing inflammation which can lead to leg pain, swelling and other symptoms. But not all venous health issues are visible. Sometimes there are deep vein issues that are not noticeable on the surface of the skin.
Either way, one of the best things you can do to improve your circulation and ease your symptoms is to wear compression, but the key is to wear the right compression.
Unfortunately, “compression” is often used as a marketing term. There is no government agency regulating the industry or ensuring that patients are properly fitted (that’s why you can find compression garments on the shelves at your local grocery story or drug store).
Properly fitting socks or stockings are all about the gradient compression, that is, how the pressure differs from one part of the garment to another. For example, compression socks are not supposed to be tight at the knee. The pressure should be highest at the ankle and weaker at the knee.
And, unfortunately, if you can put on your compression socks or stockings easily, it’s probably not the right compression for you. That said, we have several techniques we can show you for getting them on more easily.
If you are currently wearing compression but did not have them fitted by a specialist, give our office a call for a consultation and a proper fitting. Call, too, if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms: leg swelling • chronic leg pain • fatigue • itching • burning • inflammation • leg cramps • Restless Leg Syndrome.
Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care, a Tier 1 provider with Lake Health Hospital System, located at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. More info can be found at YourHealthyVeins.com.