Why Custom Compression Socks Matter: Strength, Size, Material
So why can’t I just buy a pair of compression socks off the shelf at a local retail location?
Well, you can, but there is always a "but".
There is much more to selecting the right pair of compression socks for yourself or your loved one than simply walking into a local retail location and picking a pair off the shelf. While this might be perfectly safe for some, it is not for many.
Let me explain. There are three main components that make up each pair of compression socks: strength, size/fit, and material.
There are several strengths of compression socks available on the market, each labeled by the milligrams of mercury pressure (mmHg) or the amount of pressure woven into the garment. The easiest strength to find and purchase is the "over-the-counter" or "off-the-shelf" strength, 15-20mmHg, which is used safely as a preventative measure. It's commonly used as a travel sock for someone who has no concerns with varicose veins or swelling. The remaining strengths are what we refer to as prescription strengths (20-30mmHg, 30-40mmHg, 40-50mmHg, and 50-60mmHg). There is a small list of medical conditions that would prohibit someone from wearing compression socks, and for this reason, we need the physician to verify that these are not at play. Each strength has a specific job to do, and working with a certified compression fitter will ensure that, together with your physician, the appropriate strength has been selected. Does everyone need to be in a prescription strength of compression sock? No, but you’d be surprised to know that the same strengths we used to use to treat conditions we now use to prevent those same conditions.
Choosing the correct size is more involved than knowing your shoe size. While this is the most common way to select your "over-the-counter" or "off-the-shelf" (15-20mmHg) size, it is rarely accurate. If two people with the same shoe size walked into a shoe store, they would be unlikely to select the same shoe. One may have a slender foot, the other a wide foot. One may have a raised arch while the other may have no arch at all. The same goes for compression socks. We should not only be looking at the size and shape of the foot but also the size and shape of the calf. Then take into account the length of the leg. These socks were created to be purchased by shoe size and to be one size fits most in a series of sizes. Compression socks should always be comfortable, and working with a certified compression fitter will ensure that all of the variables are taken into account when selecting the right pair of compression socks.
The material of the sock is more important than you may think. Each strength of compression has a specific job to do, and each material has a specific job to do as well. We should not expect that a sock that is being used to prevent varicose veins should look and act the same way as a sock that is used to treat fluid pooling in the ankles. Working with a certified compression fitter will ensure that the appropriate material is selected for you.
Compression socks should always be comfortable! If you are wearing the right strength, right size/fit, and right material, they should feel like a gentle hug to the leg regardless of the strength of your compression. If they feel uncomfortable or are not managing the symptoms you are experiencing, it is possible that they are the wrong strength, the wrong size/fit, or the wrong material.
NOTE: This post is not intended to diagnose or be construed as medical advice. It is intended to provide some basic information to start a conversation with your health provider. Ask your physician or member of your health care team before starting, stopping or making any changes to your health care plan. All opinions are my own.
Compression Garments at a strength of 20mmHg or higher are considered medical-grade compression and must be prescribed by a doctor. They are used for the treatment of various medical conditions and should be used under the supervision of a doctor.
