Compression knitwear for venous insufficiency

According to doctors, in industrialized countries, more than 50% of the working-age population suffers from chronic venous insufficiency. Women suffer significantly more often than men. Today, many people lead a very active lifestyle, constantly moving on their feet. For a long time, the disease manifests itself only as a cosmetic defect and fatigue in the legs. If you do not engage in prevention and treatment, the progress of the disease begins, which leads to complications: there are painful sensations, edema, venous nodes. About 250 thousand people die from complications of varicose veins every year in Russia.

Factors contributing to the development of venous insufficiency

Among the factors contributing to the development of venous insufficiency are the following:

  • Stand-up or sedentary work (doctors, office workers, hairdressers);
  • Age over 40;
  • Hereditary predisposition;
  • Overweight;
  • Pregnancy (varicose veins in pregnant women develop during the 1st trimester of pregnancy in 30%, and during the 2nd subsequent trimesters in 70%);
  • Some medications (for example, hormonal drugs);
  • Alcohol and smoking;
  • Frequent long trips;
  • Spicy and salty food;

In fact, all 40+ people need to use compression knitwear.

Treatment methods

Currently, there are many ways to treat people with CVI, the main ones are:

  • Conservative: hirudotherapy, medication, compression therapy;
  • Operational.

Either method, conservative or operative, is supported by compression therapy. This method was invented more than 100 years ago and became very popular in the twentieth century. In the XXI century, compression knitwear has become an integral part of the treatment of CVI.

How do compression products work?

The effect of medical compression knitwear is aimed at exerting a graduated pressure on the walls of the superficial veins. At the same time, the maximum compression (100%) falls on the lower part of the lower leg, 70% – on the wide part of the calf muscle and 20-50% on the thigh.

As a result of the impact of compression knitwear:

  • The diameter of the superficial veins decreases. This normalizes the operation of the valve mechanism. The narrowing of the lumen of the superficial veins increases the rate of outflow of venous blood from the lower part of the legs. Consequently, the probability of blood clots is significantly reduced.
  • The ability of the muscles to push blood increases due to the compression of the veins located in the muscle tissue.
  • Constant support of the walls of the veins prevents them from stretching.
  • The elimination of edema is facilitated by an increase in the ability of capillaries to absorb extracellular fluid.

There are several ways to make compression knitwear:

  1. Compression is created with the help of special elastic threads and special knitting, this is the most expensive method, which ensures the correct distribution of compression, high wearability and strength characteristics of the products.
  2. Getting the compression is created by heating the specified points of the product. The product is put on a metal “blank”, heated at specified points, thereby creating compression on a certain standard shape of the leg. If the patient’s leg is thinner than the standard one, there is not enough compression, if it is thicker – it is excessive. This is the cheapest method, it is used by manufacturers of conventional nylon products.

Compression classes and their indications

There are several degrees of compression of products, ranging from class I (the weakest degree of compression) to class IV (extra strong degree of compression).

The most commonly used compression classes are I and II.

The first class of compression can be used without a doctor’s appointment. It won’t hurt anyone. If you, for example, stand for more than 4 hours on your feet, put on any compression product and by the evening you will see changes, some confirm, after the swelling goes away, the shoes become half a size larger. Compression knitwear of the first class is indicated for the prevention of the development of varicose veins, as well as for the treatment of the initial degree of varicose veins. Compression knitwear relieves fatigue in the legs, increases blood circulation. The main advantage is to prevent the development of varicose veins. In addition, compression knitwear will give your feet a feeling of lightness, improving your well-being every day.

You should use compression knitwear if:

  • You stand on your feet a lot, lead a very active lifestyle;
  • You have visible changes in the veins: vascular meshes, persistent pattern of subcutaneous veins, varicose veins of individual veins;
  • There are hormonal changes;
  • Lack of physical activity;
  • Heaviness in the legs, fatigue, swelling.

Compression class II (23-32 mmHg))

Therapeutic compression products of class 2 compression are indicated for the treatment of moderate chronic venous insufficiency and for the prevention of its progression.

This compression jersey provides stronger compression and has healing properties that can restore the health of your feet in the shortest possible time. After the first application of such knitwear, the fatigue of the legs is significantly reduced, and you will feel relief and lightness.

Indications for use of class 2 and 3 compression knitwear:

  • Acute thrombophlebitis;
  • Postoperative and preoperative period;
  • Chronic venous insufficiency, dilation of the superficial veins;
  • Vascular asterisks or venous mesh on the legs;
  • Persistent swelling of the legs.

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