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881165 tn?1265984588

Compression stockings

How long do your compression stockings work?  Most brands state they should last 6 months.  Mine always start to stretch out after 2 weeks, and by 5-6 weeks, the tops of the thigh-highs are around my calves.  My doctor says this is common, but the medical supply fitter says he's never heard of this.  If you all have trouble too, I think we should let the companies know.  It just really steams my rice for something to cost that much and perform so poorly.
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I've used 30-40mm and 40-50mm thigh-highs, and have found that how long they last--and of course how effective they are, and how comfortable and how hard/easy to put on/take off all vary greatly by brand.

But even the best brands last about the same few weeks you describe--the ones that start the strongest tend to last longer, especially one heavy-weight super-duper all-latex pair no one would wear as visible hose. And the instruction do say that skiun oils, sweat and hoe carefully you don them and yank them off all are factors in lifespan.

I;m bad about washing them avery few days, or just the feet part, and even worse about yanking them on and off. But even so, 6 months wear is a joke.

One ordering technician admitted that Jobst Releif (their bargain-brand, about 30% cheaper) doesn't compress quite as well or last as long--but he'd be fired for admitting that the lifespan is MUCH less than they say, and that the cheapies wear faster/work less well, or even that the "donning devices and techniques" are jokes, too, for most people.

I feel very sorry for fragile people who would buy and try the donning frame that supposedly helps get them over the lower leg by sliding the hose onto the frame (not easy!) and "stepping into" each one while it is on the frame. If you can get them evenly on the frame, you can get them on the leg--and easier, too. The only value in that is if putting them on is painful, which is is for me, but not unbearably so, and the point is to avoid the pain, especially if a stronger person positions them on the donning device.

Perry
Helpful - 0
612876 tn?1355514495
I'm giving this thread a BUMP because I know a couple of you have been searching for it and haven't been able to find it.  I excavated it so if people want to bookmark it in your browsers, here's your chance.  I'll also link it on our "Conversational links" Health page.

(This is just for posterity though, folks.  If you want to discuss this further, go ahead and do it in a newer thread and feel free to link back to this one for reference if desired.  Let's let this old one end here.)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I found a company called SKINS, which makes supportive garnments for active people/athletes, to help with performance and recovery, but they are very expensive.

I have contacted the company to know about how much mmHg their long tight offered, and this is the answer that I got -


Below I have provided the compression measurements of a pair of long tights.  The Sox will have the same compression as the ankle and calf measurements of the long tight.

Ankles: 20 +/- 3 mmHg
Calves: 18 +/- 3 mmHg
Lower Thigh: 15 +/- 2.5 mmHg
Upper Thigh: 9 +/- 2 mmHg

If you have any further questions, please let me know.  Thanks,

Adam McCool
Customer Service
SKINS USA
760.602.6345 direct
888.489.6916 fax
www.skinsusa.com

I have never tried them or know someone that has, so I don't know how good they are.
Even if they don't confer the 30 mmHg that is usually advised, I thought they might be a viable alternative to compression stockings for people who can't tolerate them very well, but still would like some support.
I believe those will stay in place, should not become loose and "Antimicrobial treatment and moisture management helps you stay dry and comfortable", so they say.

If you do buy a pair, please follow the fitting guide very carefully.

This is the web address -

http://www.skinsusa.com/index.php/en/

And a link to the Travel & Recovery Long Tights -

http://www.skinsusa.com/index.php/en/travel-recovery-long-tights.html

Helpful - 0
612876 tn?1355514495
Sorry this took me sooooo long to find!!  The part about knee highs not being appropriate is BURIED waaaay down in the article so it wasn't easy to spot and it took quite a bit of digging before I figured out that this was the article that had that part in it.  Oy!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1501099/

It's down in the section about non-medication treatments.  Good luck!  Sorry again about it taking me so long to find!  At least now I'll be able to search for this thread here on MedHelp from now on and find the article whenever we need it again, LOL.
Helpful - 0
1323747 tn?1364806882
Thanks for the explanation...I can go back to the site now and find those on line.

108!  That is just too hot....Take care of yourself...Marie



Helpful - 0
1272082 tn?1343103540
I guess that's what I call them.  It is a long legged type of girdle pants.  They are not like the girdles of the 60's and 70's, but are of a spandex type material only more cottoney feeling.  They have a long leg and thigh length version and have tank tops.  They squish you in and help with the blood pooling.  I wear them both and where I live today it's 108 degrees today.  They don't roll very bad either.  (Unlike some other brands.)  I'm pretty hefty and that's a good selling feature for me.   Hope they help you.  If you go to the outlet store on line they are allot cheaper.
Helpful - 0
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