What Is Venous Insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is a medical condition that occurs when the veins in your legs have difficulty returning blood to your heart. Normally, the one-way valves in your veins keep blood flowing upward against gravity. When these valves weaken or become damaged, blood can pool in your legs, leading to various complications.
How Does It Lead to Stasis Dermatitis and Ulceration?
- Stasis dermatitis: When blood accumulates in your legs due to venous insufficiency, it can leak into surrounding tissues. This can cause inflammation, skin discoloration, and itching, a condition known as stasis dermatitis.
- Ulceration: Over time, the ongoing pressure and poor circulation from venous insufficiency can lead to the development of open sores or ulcers, usually near the ankles. These ulcers are painful, can become infected, and are known as venous ulcers.
Treatment: Graduated Compression Stockings
Graduated compression stockings are a key component of managing venous insufficiency. These stockings are specially designed to help improve blood flow in your legs. Here’s what you need to know about them:
- Compression strength: You should wear stockings with a compression level of at least 20–30 mmHg. Your healthcare provider will determine the right level for you based on your condition. You may need to start with a lower compression level (10–15 mmHg) to get used to them.
- Lifespan: Graduated compression stockings lose their effectiveness over time. To ensure they maintain their mechanical advantage, it’s essential to replace them every 6 months or as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Difference from TED hose: Graduated support socks are different from TED hose, which are typically used in hospitals to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in bedbound patients. Graduated support socks are designed for ambulatory (upright) patients and help manage chronic venous insufficiency.
- Stocking donner: If you find it challenging to put on your stockings, a stocking donner (a device designed to assist with application) can be helpful.
- Preventing recurrent cellulitis: Graduated compression stockings can also reduce the risk of recurrent cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection common in people with venous insufficiency.
Important Considerations
- While graduated compression stockings are an effective treatment for managing symptoms, they are not a cure for venous insufficiency.
- Treating the underlying venous disease may provide more lasting relief. Procedures like stripping or endovascular laser treatment can help, but even after these procedures, lifelong support socks are often necessary.
Where to Find Graduated Compression Stockings
You can purchase graduated compression stockings from various sources. Two options to consider are:
- discountsurgical.com: this online retailer offers a variety of brands and competitive prices.
- Smith’s Pharmacy (or your local medical supply shop): if you prefer personalized assistance and want to shop locally, consider visiting Smith’s at 1903 Brookside Drive, Kingsport for help finding the right stockings for you.
Managing venous insufficiency is an ongoing process, and it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive plan that suits your individual needs. Graduated compression stockings are an important part of this plan and can significantly improve your quality of life by reducing symptoms and complications.
Have questions about leg swelling or a rash on your lower legs? You can book online or call the office at 423-528-8833. This page is for general education, not a substitute for a personal exam.