Most people think compression socks are just for older people, but compression socks help keep your veins healthy, and many vein problems start when people are young.
The concept of compression therapy is the external application of a controlled pressure to an extremity to help increase the efficiency of the venous and lymphatic systems. This is done with an elastic garment that has a specific amount of compression that is strongest around the ankle and gradually decreases up the extremity/garment. Depending on the pathology, compression therapy can be applied in different forms such as socks, stockings, pantyhose, or sleeves.
Compression therapy can be utilized to help with the treatment and prevention of many venous and lymphatic issues and assist in performance and recovery during activity. As a treatment measure, it can be prescribed to treat such things as phlebitis, thrombosis, aftercare from surgery, sclerotherapy, aiding achy and heavy feeling legs, varicose veins, spider veins, edema, and leg ulcers.
Compression therapy has also been utilized in activity as a performance and recovery measure by assisting continuous blood flow, minimizing blood pooling, increasing drainage of toxins like lactic acid, and helping to sustain reparative processes.
As a preventative measure, compression can be prescribed for such things as long distance flying, pregnancy, occupation, and lifestyle. Below are some important risk factors for the development of venous and lymphatic issues:
That being said, it is also important to know that compression therapy is not suitable for everyone. Compression should not be worn if someone has advanced arterial disease of the legs, septic phlebitis, advanced peripheral neuropathy, or uncontrolled congestive heart failure.
Graduated compression has many positive effects on the body to both blood flow and the tissues themselves. Below are some of the physiological effects of compression:
Blood Flow Effects:
Effects on Tissue:
To maintain healthy legs, it is important to implement more than just compression therapy. Here is a useful list of how you can play your part in keeping your legs healthy:
It is very important to see a certified compression therapy fitter to get a pair of compression socks. Ill-fitting garments can cause harm to an individual such as pressure ulcers, arterial occlusions, and even gangrene. Compression stockings are a medical prescription that you wear on your legs and therefore should be recommended by a health care professional. There are many different materials, sizes, types, and colours of garments that need to be taken into consideration to be the most effective and beneficial to an individual. If you would like to have all the benefits of compression therapy, please talk to a health care professional and have them fitted by a certified compression therapy fitter.
Click here to browse our selection of over-the-counter compression socks!
Katrina Dittmann, BSc. Kin, CPT
Kinesiologist, Head Brace Fitter, Certified Compression Therapy Fitter
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FOOTWEAR:
European Sizing chart conversion:
*Please note that these conversion charts serve as a general guideline, actual fitting may vary by style.
Women’s |
|||||||||
US |
4.5-5 |
5.5-6 |
6.5-7 |
7.5-8 |
8.5-9 |
9.5-10 |
10.5-11 |
11.5-12 |
12.5-13 |
EU |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
Men’s |
||||||||
US |
7.5-8 |
8.5-9 |
9.5-10 |
10.5-11 |
11.5-12 |
12.5-13 |
13.5-14 |
14.5-15 |
EU |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
46 |
47 |
48 |
SOCKS :
Sockwell
Brooks
Sock Size |
US Men's Shoe Size |
US Women's Shoe Size |
Euro Shoe Size |
Small |
|
4 - 6.5 |
34 - 37 |
Medium |
6 - 8.5 |
7 - 9.5 |
38 - 41 |
Large |
9 - 11.5 |
10 - 12.5 |
42 - 45 |
XL |
12 - 14.5 |
|
46 - 49 |
ANKLE BRACES:
Bauerfeind
Professional Orthopedic Products (POP)
DJO - Roboboots – Short and Tall
SHOE SIZE MEN |
SHOE SIZE WOMEN |
SIZE |
Up to 4 |
Up to 5 |
XS |
4 - 7 |
5 - 8 |
S |
7 - 10 |
8 - 11 |
M |
10 - 13 |
11 - 15 |
L |
13+ |
15+ |
XL |
DJO- Aircast Airsport
DESCRIPTION |
MEN |
WOMEN |
SIZE |
Left |
Up to 5 |
Up to 5 |
X-Small |
Right |
Up to 5 |
Up to 5 |
X-Small |
Left |
5.5 - 7 |
5.5 - 8.5 |
Small |
Right |
5.5 - 7 |
5.5 - 8.5 |
Small |
Left |
7.5 - 11 |
9 - 12.5 |
Medium |
Right |
7.5 - 11 |
9 - 12.5 |
Medium |
Left |
11.5 - 13 |
13 - 14.5 |
Large |
Right |
11.5 - 13 |
13 - 14.5 |
Large |
Left |
13.5 + |
15 + |
X-Large |
Right |
13.5 + |
15 + |
X-Large |
KNEE BRACES:
Bauerfeind
Ossur
Size |
Circumference* |
*Circumference measured 6” above mid-patella |
|
XSmall |
11.5" (29cm) to 13.75" (35cm) |
Small |
13.75" (35cm) to 16" (41cm) |
Medium |
16" (41cm) to 18" (46cm) |
Large |
18" (46cm) to 20.5" (52cm) |
XLarge |
20.5" (52cm) to 22.5" (57cm) |
XXLarge |
22.5" (57cm) to 24.75" (63cm) |
XXXLarge |
24.75" (63cm) to 28.5" (72cm) |
XXXXLarge |
28.5" (72cm) to 32" (81cm) |
DJO
*Measurements taken 6” above mid-patella
SIZE |
MEASUREMENT |
XS/S |
13" - 18.5" (33 - 47 cm) |
M/L |
18.5" - 23.5" (47 - 60 cm) |
XL/XXL |
23.5" - 29.5" (60 - 75 cm) |
XXXL |
29.5" - 31" (75 - 79 cm) |
ELBOW BRACES:
Bauerfeind
HAND BRACES:
Professional Orthopedic Products (POP)
Size |
Wrist Circ. |
X-Small |
4 ¾" - 5 ½" |
Small |
5 ½" - 6 ¼" |
Medium |
6 ¼" - 7" |
Large |
7" - 7 ¾" |
X-Large |
7 ¾" - 8 ½" |
Orliman (thumb brace)
Size |
Wrist Circumference in CM (A) |
Length in CM (B) |
Small |
14 - 18 |
11 |
Large |
18 - 22 |
13 |