#Compression garments for lymphedema skin#

Why Use Gradient Compression for Lymphedema?Įnormous amounts of technology and research have gone into the way Lymphedema compression garments are designed. Gradient compression is proven to be one of the most effective ways to manage the swelling caused by lymphedema and venous disorders. Its special design helps relieve pain and reduce swelling by preventing the accumulation of liquids and helping to resist the tendency of the body to swell. This provides effective management of existing swelling and also acts as a preventative measure to stop the condition developing further. When pressure is increased in the body’s tissues, it assists with the return of fluid to the lymphatic and circulatory systems. The venous blood then flows more quickly up the leg towards the heart. The stocking does not allow these superficial veins to over expand with blood.

Helps control the size (diameter) of superficial veins beneath the stocking.

Compression therefore reduces and helps prevent swelling.

#Compression garments for lymphedema skin#

The compression increases the pressure in the tissues beneath the skin thus reducing excess leakage of fluid from the capillaries and increasing absorption of tissue fluid by the capillaries and lymphatic vessels.This medical pressure curve has two main benefits, as outlined by the Jobst Compression Institute: They are prescribed in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or hecto Pascals (hPa), which represents the amount of pressure the garment puts on your limb.

Graduated compression garments are made for both men and women, and exist in various versions such as knee highs, thigh highs, pantyhose, arm sleeves and hand gloves. Medical Applications of Gradient CompressionĪpplying a measured amount of compression to the leg, arm, face or torso is the basis for effective management of Lymphedema. This design helps blood vessels and lymph vessels absorb fluids more easily, providing relief for tissues and reducing swelling (Jobst, 2017). Graduated compression assists this movement by applying a certain amount of pressure at the base (eg: your ankle or wrist) which gradually decreases in pressure as it moves up the limb.

Blood and lymph fluid must flow upward and towards the heart. Gradient compression garments are specially designed to help promote circulation and lymphatic flow in your limbs. They do this through a system called gradient compression (or graduated compression), where a carefully measured amount of pressure is applied to the limb in order to encourage the movement of fluids. They are carefully engineered pieces of technology that work to support broken down lymphatic and venous systems, by imitating the body’s natural mechanics that normally support blood and lymphatic flow.

Being the good patients that we are, we order these garments and wear them (or don’t!), often without realising exactly why it’s so important we do so on a consistent basis.Ĭompression garments for Lymphedema are not your average 'compression' stockings that you might find on a pharmacy shelf. If there is one thing that Lymphedema patients need to understand, it’s how compression garments work! When diagnosed with Lymphedema, we are told that it’s essential to wear compression garments on our limbs.