Compression garments
Compression garments for lymphoedema - Information overview and facts.
What are compression garments?
Medical compression garments could be likened to a thicker than normal hosiery stocking that is manufactured to specific sizes. They are worn on an arm, leg or body for the purpose of reducing and/or controlling oedema and swelling.
Unlike normal hosiery stockings, compression garments are made from a special type of knitted or stitched fabric that has a limited amount of stretch. This fabric is manufactured into product capable of applying gradient pressure to a lymphoedema affected limb or body.
Garments are also designed to mimic the function of skin in constraining body tissues before it became over stretched with lymphoedema swelling. In other cases if the limb is not already swollen, a compression garment is worn to help prevent swelling.
Why wear compression garments?
Compression garments for lymphoedema are worn to help stop the skin stretching from the swelling of oedema. Compression garments increase the level of varying tissue pressure within the body tissues. This helps increase lymphatic flow to reduce lymphoedema swelling.
The action of compression stockings are to provide a gradient pressure that is higher at the most distal part of a limb and lower at the proximal end. This will help decrease the level of swelling by assisting the lymphatic system to pump fluid upward away from a swollen area towards the lower pressure gradient.
Garment function is best when displaced fluid from an affected limb is relocated to a pre prepared empty place in the body. Lymphatic drainage massage and/or laser therapy can assist with this pre-preparation function.
When is the best time to wear garments, compression stockings or arm sleeves?
The best time to wear compression hosiery is;
- straight after a course of bandaging,
- after an operation as advised by your surgeon, or
- at times indicated by your doctor, nurse or therapist.
In all these cases your body needs the extra help to either; (a) let the skin have time to shrink back to a more normal size, or (b) stop the skin stretching to a bigger size.
Most garment manufacturers advise to wear a compression garment all the time 365, 24/7. As people find this far too inconvenient and uncomfortable, a solution and substitute must be considered and implemented if your swelling is to be contained and /or reduced.
A plan to minimize the compliance of wearing compression garments
Observations have shown many people do not comply with wearing their compression garments 365 x 24/7 as indicated by their medical practitioner or the manufacturer.
To overcome this lack of compliance, from observation, it would appear a supplementary form of control can be achieved by undertaking and performing at least four or more of the following things;
- eat the right foods
- use a dietary supplement to strengthen blood and lymphatic circulation
- regularly use a good anti-bacterial moisturizing cream
- do hydrotherapy at least twice a week
- perform self massage at least once a week
- use laser therapy at home
- have regular professional massage every 4-6 weeks
It is always good practice to consult and discuss your health options with your doctor. Therefore, if you are considering any of the above options, make sure to talk it though and gain approval with your medical practitioner before making changes to your routine.
What are the problems with compression garments?
Compression garments can cause problems when;
- they are incorrectly fitted
- your size changes and you grow larger, so the garment is too small
- you lose weight and size and get smaller, so the garment is too large
How do I know my garment is right for me? What other problems should I look out for?
If you can put on your compression garment without too much trouble; and it does not cut in or feel really uncomfortable; and your swelling does not increase, then your garment is probably about right for you.
If your garment constantly;
- digs in,
- slips down,
- keeps creasing behind the knee,
- creasing in at the ankle
- is too tight at the inside of elbow
- is too tight on the forearm near the elbow
- leaves deep marks and digs in at the top of the garment
Then you should seek professional attention and point out these conditions to your therapist. Then be re-measured to check the size of your current garment is correct.
If your garment is not the correct size, you should be re-measured and fitted with a new garment that is without negative attributes and is the right size for you.
Where do I obtain compression garments?
Your lymphoedema therapist or doctor or hospital is normally the best place for prescribing lymphoedema compression garments. The prescriber may then order in a garment for you wish to see the garment fitted the first time it is worn to ensure the fitting and size is correct.
Another option is; you may be directed to a specialised centre to have your garment measured and fitted to the doctors prescription.
In either case the person supplying the garment should ensure it is the correct fit when supplied. If the garment does not fit correctly is should be re measured and a new garment the correct size supplied.
For lymphoedema of the leg, your garment should always extend from the foot to the groin.
For arms/hands, where garments overlap when a glove for the hand is separate from the arm sleeve, at the overlap of garment near the wrist there should never be a restrictive tight band created at the places of overlap.
What size garment is the best for me?
Compression garments come in ready made sizes, or as made to measure garments. If you are wearing a ready made garment it must fit within the size parameters indicated by the manufacturer.
Courses for measuring and fitting compression garments - course details
