Full Leg Length Measurement:
This measurement is a necessary aspect of all types ofcompression stockings, and in order to measure and get yourself your exactsize, you have to cover every part of the leg, including the full leg length,of course.
You can make the person stand, and from the floor to the buttocks, the measurement tape will go straight up, and when it stops at the ending spot, you will note down the readings. If you want to avoid silly mistakes, then make sure not to go way too high for the measurements and always let the tape stop right to the buttocks only.
How To Measure For Compression Socks
Whether you are considering compression socks for work or for medical reasons, there are plenty of benefits to wearing a pair. But they are not like other socks.
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Compression socks sometimes referred to as pressure socks gently squeeze your legs in a way that helps promote blood flow from the legs back toward the heart.
This pressure helps guard against problems like ulcers in the veins, light-headedness when standing , pain from varicose veins and potentially fatal deep vein thrombosis .
Compression socks also help with the leg pain and swollen ankles that comes along with sitting at a desk or in the drivers seat all day.
Compression stockings are not just for old folks with health struggles like diabetes theyre for healthy working people in the prime of their life, too. But in order to experience all the benefits of a good pair of these kind of socks, youll need accurate measurements.
How To Wear Compression Socks And Stockings
Putting on compression socks can be a little tricky. We have an in-depth guide for putting them on, but heres a quick run through in case youre in a hurry:
- Unlike a regular sock, youll have to put your arm all the way into a compression sock
- Then, youll have to pinch the heel of the sock and turn it inside out
- Next, put your foot in the bottom of the sock, and start rolling it over your feet make sure the fabric is smooth across your leg
If you have trouble getting compression socks on yourself, or cant put them on yourself, you can use a stocking donner. This is a type of metal frame you can roll your compression sock over, so you can place your foot directly in the sock. It takes the guesswork out of putting on compression socks!
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Compression Socks Vs Compression Stockings
- You have several options. You may purchase a knee-high sock that stops below your knees. These socks are designed to stop below the place where your knees bend.
- Or, you could choose a thigh-high socks that covers the entire leg. This sock stops at the top of the thigh. Such socks are made to improve blood circulation in your entire leg.
- Your third option is pantyhose. These socks are worn waist-high. The mens version looks like a leotard. These socks cover the legs and a portion of the torso. The design is made to draw swelling out of the legs.
- When choosing between waist-high and thigh-high socks, make the decision based on what you need the compression for. If youre purchasing compression garments for swelling only in your ankles, then a knee high sock is probably what you want.
- However, if you need a compression garment for swelling located on the knee or higher, then you should choose a thigh-high compression or knee-high compression sock or pantyhose.
Support Hose For Women
Women’s compression socks are available in a wide range of styles just like conventional footwear and hosiery. You can choose traditional socks made out of knit material or hosiery that is made out of stretchy nylon fabric. Compression hose for women are available in knee-high and thigh-high styles. You may also want to opt for full-length pantyhose or tights. Some brands offer compression socks and hosiery for women in multiple colors.
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How To Size Compression Socks
There are a variety of sizes offered for compression socks. Compression socks come in both mens and womens sizes, but they also come in specific calf sizes for a better fit. Generally, compression socks come in size extra small, small/medium, and large/extra-large. These sizes correspond to shoe sizes:
How Tight Should It Be
Compression socks come in various levels of pressure. Millimeters of mercury is used to measure pressure, and its the same unit of measure used to classify compression socks. Youll be able to choose from compression socks with 8mmHg all the way up to 40mmHg.
Your compression socks should fit snugly. However, if you experience any of the following, try a lower compression level:
- You have pain in the legs, feet or ankles.
- Your skin feels pinched by the socks.
- You experience numbness in your legs or feet.
- Your skin becomes discolored.
As a general rule, if the sock fits painfully tight, then youll need to choose a different size. ComproGear makes sizes all the way up to plus size compression socks.
Looking to Buy a Pair of properly-sized Compression Socks?Click the button below to see the lineup of ComproGear Compression Socks.NOTE: The page includes a sizing chart and free returns, so youre always sure to get the perfect size!
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Compare Measurements To The Sizing Chart
Now that you’ve determined your calf circumference, it’s easy to select the right size on the Comrad website.
First, look for your shoe size on the sizing chart.
Are you a women’s size 5? That would translate to a small compression sock.
Are you a men’s size 14? That would translate to an extra large size.
Before you make your purchase, please be sure to check your calf measurement. If your shoe size equates to a medium, but your calf measures over 14″, you should purchase a medium wide. If your shoe size is large and your calf measures over 17″, you should purchase the large wide fit.
Preferred Shape Or Configuration
Gradient pressure socks are available in an open-toe style, as a footless sleeve, or as a fully closed-toe sock. Compression sleeves are useful for both arms and legs as they do not have a section for the foot. Closed-toe socks look like regular socks they will cover the entire foot.
Toeless or open-toe socks keep your toes uncovered to allow for more movement. Open-toe socks can come in handy if you sweat a lot in hot weather or have skin conditions such as corns or callouses.
For the same reasons, compression sleeves are a great option in the summertime. Youll even be able to wear sandals or flip-flops with them.
Some modern pressure sock designs include a zipper. The zippered compression stockings usually have a side zipper along the calf to make it easier to get your socks on and off.
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Consult A Professional Fitter
The most accurate way to measure compression socks is to consult a professional fitter. Retail stores that carry compression socks have fitters that would take all your measurements and advise you on size. Generally, if youre getting prescription compression socks, the doctor will measure you for the socks and specify the measurements on the prescription to be ordered by the pharmacy.
Wide Fit Compression Stockings Size Chart
- Ankle Circumference: 10 13 inches
- Calf Circumference: 14 23 inches
- Mens Wide Fit Medium: 7 9.5 inches
- Mens Wide Fit Large: 10 12.5 inches
- Mens Wide Fit Extra Large: 13 15.5 inches
- Womens Wide Fit Medium: 8 10.5 inches
- Womens Wide Fit Large: 11 13.5 inches
- Womens Wide Fit Extra Large:> 14 inches
Whenever you are choosing between compression sock sizes, essentially just measure the circumference of your calf and the circumference of your ankle. But what if your measurement falls in between sizes. What should you do?
Try smaller sizes that are closer to your measurements dont opt-in for sizes higher than you. Undoubtedly, the comfort and benefits of a compression sock will be improved if you are on the correct size or something near it.
You can also improve your condition significantly by enhancing certain aspects of your life. These include things like exercise, proper clothing, good posture, and wearing the right level of compression socks.
Additionally, since compression is usually firm around the ankle and reduces up the leg, seek the size that fits the circumference of your ankle if you are in between two sizes. Sometimes, the foot of the stockings might be too small or large, but you will be able to identify this immediately when you are wearing the stocking. Nevertheless, if the foot size is three times smaller than your standard size, opt in for socks with an open toe. Now, who should measure, and when should it be done?
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Compression Stockings & Panty Hose
Compression stockings and pantyhose cover the entirety of your legs, much like womens nylons do. They provide further benefits to leg circulation and can be prescribed by a physician. If you plan to do the measurements yourself, note that the instructions for measuring thigh high compression socks are the same for stockings & pantyhose.
Challenges Of Wearing Compression Garments
Some people do not like compression garments because they struggle to put them on. This creates frustration, and it causes some people to give up on wearing compression hosiery. However, if you choose the right size, compression level and brand, you can find a sock or stocking that works for you.
Swelling can occur while a compression garment is not being worn. When the person goes back to pull on the compression garment, the socks or pantyhose may be difficult to pull on over swollen ankles or legs. In such event, try lying down with your feet up. Keeping your feet elevated could reduce swelling. Or, you could wear a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
Wearing compression garments might be a challenge for people who have particular medical conditions. For instance, some seniors have a condition called senile purpura. It is a term used to describe easy bruising in older adults. This condition is generally benign and not considered a medical emergency.
Senile Purpura develops because a persons skin and vessels become fragile as a person ages. This makes it much easier for the skin to bruise after only minor bumps or trauma to the persons skin.
If a person has it and wears compression socks, small blood vessels can bleed under the skin. Though this is not considered a serious condition, such a problem should still be monitored by a physician.
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Find Your Thigh Measurement
The thigh measurement is very important when sizing for a thigh high compression stocking. Similar to the calf measurement, this will determine how your stocking will fit at the very top. A tight fitting thigh may cause discomfort or rolling at the top band. A top thigh measurement that is loose will cause the thigh to fall down the leg.
Pressure Levels Of Compression Socks
Support garments such as compression socks or sleeves all have one common purpose: to apply constant pressure on a specific part of the wearers body.
Gravity is always working against your heart as it pumps blood throughout the body. As a result, your blood and lymph fluids experience a constant gravitational pull downwards. Although our circulatory system is able to pump nutrient-rich oxygenated blood to all parts of the body, gravity can make that more difficult.
Compression socks are your most reliable defense against the adverse effects of gravity. The are usually made from durable elastic material and breathable fabrics strong enough to compress the veins of the legs. This keeps circulation healthy.
Despite a wide range of brands being available on the market today, the standard units of mmHg are used by all to classify compression stockings.
Often times, compression is applied in a graduatedpattern, meaning the pressure slowly decreases from the bottom to the top of the compression garment. The ankle region will have the maximum amount of compression while the knee region will have less compression.
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Measuring Guides For Compression Socks And Stockings
It is very important accurate measurements are taken to ensure the correct size of compression socks or stockings are selected so that the pressure applied to the leg by the stocking is correct.
We offer a made to measure service for those who dont fall into standard sizing
NB For Venosan Legline sizes all you need is your weight and height and then click on the Legline Measuring Chart Here to find your size.
Ideally, measurements should be taken in the morning especially if your legs have a tendency to swell throughout the day. Measurements should be taken on the bare leg standing upright using a measuring tape . The tape should fit snugly on the leg during measuring and shouldnt be pulled too tight.
Both legs should be measured separately.
For below knee socks and stockings the following measurements must be taken:
- The circumference of the ankle cB. Measure just above the ankle
- The circumference of the calf cC. Measure around the largest calf circumference
- The circumference of the leg just below the knee cD. Measure 2-3 cm below pit of the knee
- The length lD. Measure the length of the leg from the base of the heel to just below the knee
The following additional measurements need to be taken for Thigh Length, Tights and Maternity Tights.
- The circumference at the top of the thigh cG. Measure 5cm below crotch.The length lG. Measure the length of the leg from the base of the heel to the top of the thigh
Purchasing The Right Compression Level
If your physician recommends a compression garment, he or she will advise you on the size and tightness. The physician will measure your ankle, calf and thigh. The distance from your thigh or knee to the ground will also be measured depending on the length of sock you need. At times, the staff at the medical supply store will measure your leg instead of the doctor.
Some people choose to purchase the socks on their own without a prescription. Athletes can benefit from compression socks during athletic performance, but they do not need a prescription to acquire 20-30mmHg pressure hose. Other people purchase the socks over-the-counter without a prescription for cosmetic reasons, such as improving the look of varicose veins.
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Knee High Compression Socks
Knee high compression socks generally fall a few inches below the knee, like regular knee socks. Compression stockings that reach the knee can help prevent swelling in your feet and ankles. For knee-high compression socks, youll need to find the circumference of your ankle, the circumference of your calf, and the length of your calf. Follow these steps on how to measure for compression socks that are knee high:
How To Measure Your Hand For A Compression Gauntlet Or Glove
Information provided on the Aeroflow Healthcare blog is not intended as a substitute to medical advice or care. Aeroflow Healthcare recommends consulting a doctor if you are experiencing medical issues or concerns.
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Getting Ready To Measure
Measuring for pressure socks begins like any other process: you must gather the equipment needed to do the job.
Choose a Measuring Tape
In this case, the leg, calf, and ankle to be sized are needed, as well as a sewing measuring tape. The flexibility of the tape allows for better measurements of the curved, often irregular shapes of peoples legs, as well as easier viewing of the numbers as you measure.
Care must be taken not to stretch the sewing tape. Checking the sewing tape against a ruler, yardstick or a second measuring tape will ensure that what is measured is accurate.
Remove Unnecessary Garments
Measurements for compression socks have to be taken the same way as measurements for other clothes. That is, the way they are measured should reflect the way they are worn. Since socks are generally inner garments, in that they are worn directly on the skin, the person being measured will need to be barefooted.
Keep the pants or skirt clear of the feet and parts of the leg to be measured. This may require removing the pants or skirt entirely. Taking measurements over such clothes will yield inaccurate information, making the socks fit badly and leading to discomfort or possible harm.
Want to Stop Leg Swelling Now?ComproGear Compression Socks are designed to stop swelling instantly!Click the button below to see the lineup of ComproGear Compression Socks:
Arm Sleeve Measuring Instructions
Take these recorded measurements and use them in conjunction with the sizing chart for the brand of stockings you’ve chosen such as Jobst, Sigvaris, Medi, and Juzo. All of these compression stocking manufacturers offer sizing charts that will ensure you get the proper fit. These sizing charts are located on the respective product pages. For answers to many commonly asked questions, please see our FAQ page.
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