Posted by Mirri Braude | No comments
Compression stockings are mainly used for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis, however, they can be worn when treating varicose veins or prevention of varicose veins.
Venous return is achieved by two different parts of the body; the calf pump and respiration. The calf is like a pump that when moved, pushes the blood back up the leg and to the heart, through the valves opening and closing. When a person takes a breath in, the valves within the vein shut and when a person breathes out the valves open and the blood in the calf can be pushed up the leg and back to the heart. When the venous system is not working optimally, the blood pools at the foot and ankle causing swelling, pigmentation and even venous ulcers.
Compression stockings can help with the calf pump by having a graduated compression starting at the ankle where it is the tightest. This optimises the calf pump and venous return.
When sitting for long periods of time or during immobilisation, the calf pump is not being used as efficiently as normal. Therefore blood will become stagnate and a clot can form. The graduated compression stocking can help the calf pump to return the blood to the heart and decrease the risk of getting a blood clot.
When treating varicose veins with either sclerotherapy or endovenous laser ablation, compression stockings are worn to help compress the vein and remove as much blood out of the treated vein. This helps with the treatment and the closure of the varicose veins. The compression stockings also help with decreasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis. They also provide support post-treatment.
Compression stockings are a pain to get on and off and you might feel hot and restricted with them on but if they can prevent or at least help in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis, then why not wear them? I think that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to compression stockings!
So really, are compression stockings worth the trouble? I know that I will be wearing a pair when I travel on a long distant flight at the end of the year. I would prefer to have everythying on my side in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis especially when I'm going on holidays.
