GARNET Medical

How To Put On & Take Off Compression Stockings

noreply@blogger.com (Hugh Q) — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 01:27:00 +0000

Putting on and taking off compression stockings can be a challenge. By using the right techniques, handy tips and optional donning devices contained in the videos below you'll be saving lots of time and frustration. You'll be an expert in no time!

Helpful tips for donning & doffing

Putting on your compression socks doesn’t have to be a daily struggle.

Yes, they’re firm - they’re supposed to be. This is what makes them medically useful. But that’s also why it can be difficult to put on compression socks, especially over the heel and ankle. Unfortunately, when people get discouraged, they don’t wear them consistently – and the swelling in their lower legs and ankles tends to get worse rather than better.

The following hints and tips for wearing compression socks can help you adopt smarter habits, and soon, a frustrating task will become a quick and easy part of your daily routine.

Donning and Doffing Videos

Calf Open Toe

Calf Closed Toe

Thigh-High

Pantyhose and Tights

Donning Devices

MELANY - Calf

MELANY -Thigh

Buy Melany

Doff and Donner - Self Application

Doff N' Donner - Third Party Application

Buy Doff N' Donner

Magnide - Closed Toe Stockings

Buy Magnide

Sim-Slide - Open Toe Stockings

Buy Sim-Slide

Still can't manage putting on compression stockings? Check out the SIGVARIS Compreflex Adjustable Compression Wraps

More Info

Benefits of Medical Compression Socks for Men and Women

noreply@blogger.com (Hugh Q) — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 23:49:00 +0000

First off, what do compression socks do? Many people assume compression stockings are only for the elderly or those with poor blood flow, but many other people can receive great benefits from using compression socks.

Compression socks are specially designed to gently squeeze the leg more than traditional socks. This controlled pressure applied to the legs and ankles promotes better blood flow and circulation throughout the body. They also help decrease swelling and pain in the legs and ankles.

How Do Compression Socks Work?

Medical compression socks add pressure to your veins, which reduces the excess fluid in the legs that is leaked from the capillaries. As a result, inflammation decreases and blood is better able to flow from the legs to the heart. Your heart does not have to work as hard to bring the blood through the veins. By wearing compression stockings, blood will stay near your head and heart rather than in the feet. Keeping blood from pooling in the legs will prevent inflammation in that area and result in better circulation.

Benefits of Wearing Compression Socks

Compression stockings are known for boosting circulation in the legs, which can:
Decrease swelling in the legs and ankles
Prevent blood clots in the leg veins
Improve lymphatic drainage
Prevent blood from pooling in the leg veins
Reduce leg aches and pains
Prevent varicose veins
Prevent venous ulcers

Who Wears Compression Socks?

A variety of people with different circumstances and conditions wear compression socks for numerous reasons. Medical compression stockings can help those with diabetes, lymphoedema, oedema, and venous ulcers.

Oedema is a condition that causes swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet, and it is common in diabetics. This makes it difficult for blood to flow back from the feet to the heart. Another condition called lymphoedema is caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system that causes inflammation in the legs or arms. This is commonly caused by lymph node removal or damage from cancer treatment. At Garnet Medical, we offer a variety of Sigvaris compression socks, such as the Eversoft Diabetic Sock, for those with diabetes and a selection of compression sleeves and socks for those with lymphoedema. For someone experiencing venous ulcers, our ULCER X Kit has a significantly higher healing rate and shorter healing time compared to conventional bandages.

Those with medical conditions are not the only people who wear compression socks. Many pregnant women, athletes, and people who sit or stand for many hours each day have found compression socks to be useful. Pregnant women are prone to swelling, but with pregnancy compression socks, pain and inflammation in the legs can be reduced. People who are on their feet all day, such as nurses, or those who sit for long hours, such as pilots and frequent flyers, are also candidates for compression socks. Although there is not much evidence that shows the benefits of athletes wearing compression stockings, many athletes believe it improves their performance by increasing oxygen delivery to muscles and speeding up the removal of lactic acid.

Compression socks are completely safe and can be worn by most adults, except for those who have peripheral arterial disease or low blood flow. There are many benefits to wearing compression stockings, so talk to your doctor if you are experiencing swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet to see if compression socks are right for you.

Choosing the Right Compression Sock

There are many types of compression socks for women and men varying in length and pressure. Graduated compression socks exert the greatest degree of compression at the ankle, which slowly decreases up the leg, encouraging natural blood flow back to the heart. They help with the reduction of oedema and help heal inflammatory disorders. Garnet Medical offers thigh-high compression socks and knee-high compression socks depending on your circumstance. They come in different intensities of pressure; for example, the 15-20 mmHg compression socks will not apply as much pressure as the 30-40 mmHg. There are also anti-embolic stockings that use more pressure and are often used post-surgery for immobile people. For the lightest pressure, there are compression pantyhose, tights, and leggings for people who travel or spend a lot of time standing.

Wearing Compression Socks

It is common to put the socks on in the morning and wear them all day, every day, but it may take time to get used to them. Some people only wear them on long plane trips or car rides, while exercising, or post-surgery. Make sure your socks are not too tight and remove them if you experience tingling or discomfort. Do not fold the socks over, as this could cause them to be too tight and could cut off circulation. It is not recommended to sleep in compression socks, as they might bunch up throughout the night and could interfere with circulation.

Sigvaris offers a wide selection of compression socks and stockings for both men and women. Find the right compression and say goodbye to swelling. Whether you were diagnosed with diabetes, have varicose veins (spider veins), are prone to swelling, or stand or sit all day long, Sigvaris compression socks can help you.

How important are compression levels when applying inelastic compression wraps?

noreply@blogger.com (Hugh Q) — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 06:21:00 +0000

Inelastic adjustable velcro wraps are a terrific innovation in compression therapy. They are (or should be) easier to apply than bandages and compression stockings. This is important for patients who need independence and also for carers who need something simple to use.

I was contacted by the Care Services Manager of a home care service organisation who had questions around whether the non-medically trained carers could safely apply the wraps as they are not permitted to apply compression bandages. This is not surprising since there is a high level of skill and expertise required when applying bandages to ensure correct graduation and compression level.

The SIGVARIS Compreflex has an Accutab system that allows anyone to easily set an accurate prescribed compression level (adjustable from Class 1 to 3). This system means they are not relying on the judgement or skill of the carer to apply a particular compression level (either too high or not enough) as is required with compression bandages and some other wrap devices on the market.

See how the Accutabs work here:

It is important to ensure home care and aged care staff are trained in the correct application of inelastic adjustable compression wraps. When choosing a particular wrap device, it is also important that the device allows the carer to easily and accurately set the prescribed compression level.

* Safe compression dosage should be prescribed by a physician based on individual patient medical diagnoses and needs. Compression should not be applied on patients with severe Peripheral Arterial Disease as tissue necrosis, limb loss, or death may result. When using ACCUTAB, do not apply more mmHg of resting compression pressure than prescribed by your physician. Immediately remove your compression garment and consult with your physician if you experience leg pain, numbness or tingling, coolness, or any other adverse symptoms.

(1) Partsch, Hugo, et al. “Measurement of lower leg compression in vivo: recommendations for the performance of measurements of interface pressure and stiffness.” Dermatologic Surgery 32.2 (2006): 224–233.

(2) http://www.tagungsmanagement.org/comp/index.php/icc-consensus

(3) Mosti, Giovanni, and Susanna Rossari. “The importance of measuring sub bandage pressure and presentation of new measuring device.” Acta Vulnol 6 (2008): 31–36.

(4) Mosti, Giovanni, Maria Letizia Iabichella, and Hugo Partsch. “Compression therapy in mixed ulcers increases venous output and arterial perfusion.” Journal of vascular surgery 55.1 (2012): 122–128.

(5) Mosti, Giovanni. “Compression in mixed ulcers: venous side.” Phlebology 29.1_suppl (2014): 13–17.

9 tips to keep cool this summer while wearing medical compression

noreply@blogger.com (Hugh Q) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 05:26:00 +0000

Summer and your legs

Did you know that the sweltering summer heat can have a negative impact on your veins?

Summer is finally here, and that means BBQs, the beach, and the sun! However, with the weather warming up many people also start to notice that their legs feel tired, swollen, and painful, and prevent them from taking part in the summer activities that they love.

Those with pre-existing venous problems often find that their condition is aggravated by the warmer temperatures, and even those with healthy veins have noticed that their legs can often feel swollen and painful in the summer months.

The human body has many ways of cooling itself down, and the veins play a critical role. When you are too hot, your veins expand and this allows fluids to leak into surrounding tissues – it’s your body’s way of keeping cool.

However, when this happens your veins can often struggle to pump blood back to your heart because they must fight the effects of gravity. Gravity pulls fluid down towards the ankles and feet, which can cause it to pool and this often results in swelling and discomfort.

Those with varicose veins and other venous problems are more likely to experience increased levels of discomfort and swelling in the summer months because their veins are already expanded, and the heat only further aggravates this problem. This can result in inflamed varicose veins, and the reduced blood flow can lead to a higher risk of thrombosis.

Keep cool this summer with SIGVARIS

1. In summer, SIGVARIS COTTON compression stockings feel refreshingly cool against your skin.

2. If you want to wear sandals, simply select a SIGVARIS open toe stocking. The open toe allows for air to flow freely around your feet, helping to keep you refreshed.

3. On very hot days, you can wet your SIGVARIS stockings intermittently. This can be easily done with a clean sponge, a wet flannel or by simply spraying water onto your garment. Be careful to not wet the foot of the stocking, as this can cause tinea (Athlete’s foot).

4. On especially hot days, it is recommended that you wear your SIGVARIS stockings for as long as they remain comfortable. It‘s better to benefit from compression for a few hours a day than not at all.

5. We recommend that you hand wash your SIGVARIS garment daily, or at 40 degrees Celsius on a delicate wash cycle. This will help to maintain the tension in the elastic fibres.

6. Plenty of exercise helps to prevent venous problems. Activities such as swimming, walking, and cycling are excellent choices in summer.

7. Avoid sunbathing for long periods of time. On those occasions when you find yourself in the sun, ensure you have the necessary sun protection and make sure to cool your legs down afterwards with cold water for at least ten seconds.

8. Maintain a healthy diet that is high in fibre and be sure to drink plenty of water, especially in summer. Staying hydrated helps to improve blood circulation.

9. Laying down or walking is more beneficial for your veins than sitting or standing. If your job requires you to be seated for extended periods of time, exercises such as feet tapping (whilst seated, raise and lower your feet 20 times while keeping your heels planted to the floor) can help to relieve pressure build-up in the veins. Elevating your legs will provide further relief.

Originally published at:
https://www.sigvaris.com/au/en-au/news/no-time-tired-legs-summer-feel-lighter-sigvaris

For more information, contact support@garnetmedical.com.au. Garnet Medical is an authorised distributor of SIGVARIS in NSW/ACT. SIGVARIS is the world leader in the development and production of medical compression garments.

Prolonged sitting or standing at work? Are you aware of the risks?

noreply@blogger.com (Hugh Q) — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 05:54:00 +0000

Individuals working in a profession that requires prolonged standing or sitting may have experienced the feeling of pain, swelling and heaviness in the legs by the end of the working day. This is not surprising when you consider that one in six men and one in five women suffer from some kind of venous disorder.Serious forms of venous disease can include varicose veins and skin disorders such as discolouration, eczema, hardening of the skin and venous ulcers.

"As an employer you must provide a safe and healthy workplace for your workers and contractors. This includes:1. making sure workers have adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to work in a safe and healthy manner.2. employ or engage people with the necessary qualifications or expertise to advise you on health and safety issues affecting your workers"

If you're an employee and work in an environment where you are on your feet or sitting for prolonged periods you may be at risk of vein issues, talk to your HR team and mention our free training session to discuss the benefits of compression socks in office/ work environments.This education session is perfect for most employers but particularly those like hairdressers, butchers, warehouse staff, and office staff.
A certificate is issued for OH&S records.

To book in a free educational session for your organisation, contact Garnet Medical on 1300780013 or email support@garnetmedical.com.au.

Suffering from morning sickness during pregnancy? Compression stockings may be the answer.

noreply@blogger.com (Hugh Q) — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 16:36:00 +0000

A recent study which evaluated the effect of medical compression stockings (MCS) on the symptoms of morning sickness, such as nausea and vomiting, found that wearing compression stockings between 8 and 16 weeks of pregnancy improved the symptoms, as well as other Quality of Life measures such as dizziness and leg pain*.

Up to 50-80% of all women experience nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. This can have an extremely detrimental impact on their quality of life, particularly on their ability to work or even their usual daily activities.

There are a number of therapeutic interventions that currently exists, including pharmacological and natural therapies. Understandably, many women are reluctant to take medications during pregnancy. This could be due to questions around the safety and/or efficacy of these treatments.

"Wearing compression stockings in early pregnancy improves not only nausea and vomiting-associated symptoms, but also QoL factors such as dizziness, leg pain and physical/physiological limitations" 2*

The benefits of graduated medical compression stockings in pregnancy has already been well documented. Pregnancy is a risk factor for chronic venous insufficiency due to hormonal (changes in physical properties of the veins), haemodynamic (increased blood volume and decrease in venous flow) and mechanical factors (compression of the inferior vena cava) 3*. In fact, the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases 5 fold during pregnancy and is 60 times greater postpartum 4*. Ankle oedema also affects up to 50% of all pregnant women and the first varicose veins appear in 6 out of 10 women during pregnancy 3*.

MCS have proven preventative and therapeutic effects on leg pain, oedema, spider veins, varicose veins, orthostatic circulatory disorders and reduction of the risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE). 3*

This latest study means we can also add the symptoms of morning sickness to the list

*References: 1. A randomized crossover trial on the effect of compression stockings in nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Mendoza E, Amsler F.Int J Womens Health. 2017:9 89-99. 2. SIGVARIS Medical brochure "Suffering from morning sickness?" 3. SIGVARIS Medical brochure: "Preventing chronic venous insufficiency. 4. Pomp ER et al. Pregnancy the postpartum period and prothrombic defects: risk of venous thrombosis in the MEGA study. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2008,6:632-7

For more information, contact support@garnetmedical.com.au. Garnet Medical is an authorised distributor of SIGVARIS in NSW/ACT. SIGVARIS is the world leader in the development and production of medical compression garments.