Nurses often wear compression stockings or tights during their shifts. Why would they want to do that? What are the benefits and drawbacks of wearing them?
Compression stockings or tights are elastic bandages worn around the lower leg to reduce swelling and improve blood flow.
They are commonly prescribed to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery and to treat chronic venous insufficiency.
Compression stockings or tights are also recommended for patients who have undergone major orthopedic surgeries such as hip replacement and knee replacement.
The theory behind using these devices is that they increase muscle tone and decrease edema. This helps to promote healing and prevents DVT.
How Exactly Do Compression Style Socks Help Nurses?
Compression stockings and compression stockings are used to treat many different types of circulatory disorders.
They are most commonly worn during pregnancy due to their ability to reduce swelling and edema. But, there are many benefits associated with wearing compression stockings beyond just pregnant women.
Nurses wear compression stockings because they aid in preventing venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. These conditions affect about one million people each year in the United States alone.
Venous thromboembolic disease occurs when clots form inside veins, usually in the legs and pelvis. This causes blood to pool and stagnate, creating a risk of clotting.
DVT refers to clots formed within the leg veins. PE involves clots breaking off of the clot that forms in the lungs and traveling to the heart.
In addition to helping to prevent venous thromboembolic diseases, compression stockings also improve circulation. When blood flows freely throughout the body, oxygen levels rise and carbon dioxide levels fall.
If blood pools in areas where it cannot circulate properly, however, oxygen levels drop and carbon dioxide levels increase. This leads to breathing difficulties and fatigue.
By improving blood flow, compression stockings allow blood to move around the body more efficiently, therefore reducing the amount of work required to keep the body functioning.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when blood clots form within the deep veins of the body. These clots are often caused by prolonged immobility, such as sitting still for long periods of time.
Symptoms include pain and swelling in the legs. If left untreated, DVT can cause serious health problems, including death.
The American College of Chest Physicians recommends wearing graduated compression stockings while traveling.
These garments provide support against gravity, thus reducing pressure on your lower extremities. They also help prevent blood pooling in the feet and legs during extended periods of inactivity.
Pains And Aches
A study found that nearly 90% of nurses reported experiencing some type of musculoskeletal injury while working. In addition, one in three nurses experiences chronic pain related to their job.
Even after a long shift, compression stockings keep blood flowing to the legs, preventing it from pooling there, she adds. This allows muscles to recover more quickly.
If you want to try compression therapy, consider stocking up on a few pairs. You can find a wide variety of styles online.
Some come with Velcro straps, others use elastic bands. You can even find compression sleeves designed specifically for women.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Normally, the veins in your leg work in one direction, carrying oxygenated blood and waste products upwards from your feet to your lungs.
In chronic venous insufficiency, however, the valves inside your veins are defective, causing the blood to flow backward toward your feet.
This causes fluid buildup around the faulty valves, leading to swelling and pain. If left untreated, it can lead to ulcers, skin infections, and even deep vein thrombosis.
Compression stockings help keep the valves open and thus allow blood to move properly again. They also provide support for existing veins and reduce pressure on the capillaries under the skin, preventing further damage.
What Is The Best Sock Choice?
There are a variety of socks to choose from—and for nurses especially, socks and footwear must be practical.
If you’re looking for compression stockings that are comfortable, breathable, and don’t cause blisters, the antimicrobial fabric is soft against the skin and prevents bacteria growth without causing irritation.
What Is The Best Compression Level?
15-25mmHg Companions are designed to provide the ideal level of compression for each individual patient. They use a combination of medium and mild compression levels to achieve this.
Mild compression provides a comfortable fit for most patients while still offering some degree of muscle support. Medium compression offers extra support for those with larger calves or thighs.
Mild Compression
Compression stockings are the most common type of compression garment used by people suffering from venous leg ulcers.
These garments provide support, help reduce pain and pressure, and help keep blood flowing properly.
They’re usually worn around the ankles and calves, though some styles cover the entire lower body. Mild compression stockings range in thickness from 10mmHG to 20mmHG.
Medium Compression
Compression socks are designed to provide moderate support around the ankle and foot, allowing patients to move freely while wearing them.
They’re ideal for use during extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and sleeping. These socks can help manage pain associated with venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
They work best when worn over shoes or boots with a heel height of fewer than 4 inches.
For optimal performance, choose a size that fits snugly around the calf and thigh and allows for some wiggle room. If you wear a different shoe size, consider ordering a larger pair.
For example, if you normally wear a 7.5 men’s shoe, try a 9 women’s sock.
The amount of compression varies depending on the type of sock. Try one on and measure it against a ruler to determine how much pressure it provides.
You’ll want to choose a level that feels comfortable and doesn’t restrict blood flow.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been diagnosed with DVT or venous insufficiency, your doctor may recommend compression stockings as part of your treatment plan.
While they aren’t always necessary, they can improve circulation and relieve symptoms. When choosing a compression stocking, make sure to select a style that will comfortably fit your needs.