Why Medical Compression?

Compared to other types of compression, Medical Compression Stockings (MCS) meet rigorous standards and quality controls to ensure their medical benefits and durability over time. In order to achieve this, MCS have a built in pressure gradient that helps counter the effects of gravity, helping circulate blood from the legs back to the heart. The stockings are also sewn with high quality yarns. The end result is a medical grade stocking that helps control leg, ankle and foot swelling and pain, which often results from problems with leg veins and lymphatic vessels.

Dosage

Each MCS comes in a certain “dosage.” The dosage refers to the amount of graduated compression, or counter-pressure, being produced by the stocking and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Just like dosage matters with prescription medications, the dosage in a medical compression garment is made to help manage specific symptoms of venous and lymphatic dysfunction, such as pain and swelling.

Dosage is measured at the ankle and is provided on the product labeling. Dosage is dependent on the sizing range so it is important to measure the leg girth and match that to the correct MCS size.

In order to choose the MCS dosage for a particular leg problem, it is important to check the Indications for that garment. These are conditions that the MCS is best suited for. Precautions and Contraindications are listed to indicate under which circumstances MCS should not be used or used only under the close supervision and guidance of a medical professional.

In order to reap the benefits of MCS, it is important to choose a brand manufactured with strict quality controls to guarantee dosage over the course of the day, over months of use and with repeated washings. Additionally, to be fully effective, MCS must fit true to size, and this is contingent on a person’s height and leg shape. VENOSAN products provide that quality and assurance of both dosage and medical benefits.

Containment

Containment is how well a medical compression garment is able to keep edema (swelling) from increasing while wearing the product. The underlying cause of edema and its severity will affect the level of containment a person needs. It is important to choose a product that can provide higher containment if the edema is more robust.

In general, sheer products provide the least amount of containment. Natural fibers, such as cotton, provide higher containment in MCS. It is important to look at containment and the type of textile when choosing a garment.