Compression Stocking Aids

Sequential Compression Device: What You Need to Know about Lymphedema Pumps

Has your doctor recommended that you use a sequential compression device? These special lymphedema pumps help reduce blood pooling, clots, and fluid buildup in people who can’t move for long periods of time.

How Does This Device Work?

Like compression stockings and lymphedema sleeves, these devices help blood and fluid flow better, reducing leg lymphedema.

First, a disposable sleeve is placed around your leg. The sleeves look a bit like leg warmers, and stretch from your ankles to your knees or the tops of your legs. After you put on the sleeves, an air pump, connected to the sleeve, pushes air into the sleeve at various intervals. This creates a squeezing sensation of pressure and helps the blood in the veins circulate and flow better. There are both home and hospital-grade versions of these devices.

The more chambers a device has, the better it can help blood and fluid in the legs circulate. A hospital-grade sequential compression device may have up to 10 chambers.

Another name for these lymphedema products is intermittent pneumatic compression system.

Who Needs This Device?

People undergoing hip replacement or other surgery or with obesity, blood clotting conditions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or swelling in the arms and legs, called lymphedema, may be prescribed these devices. Research studies have also investigated the use of sequential compression devices for relieving restless legs syndrome. This common problem is the second most common sleep disorder and causes uncomfortable or painful sensations in the arms or legs.

How Much Does a Sequential Compression Device Cost?

Cost of these lymphedema pumps often depends on how many chambers they have. More chambers are more expensive, but also generally more effective.

Using a Pump

• Most of the sleeves you order for use with the pumps are machine washable.

• You can order sleeves in a variety of sizes to accommodate your needs.

• You may need a prescription for more powerful lymphedema pumps; usually you obtain this from your doctor’s office and then fax it when you order your item.

• You shouldn’t use these lymphedema pumps if you have an active blood clot.

• You shouldn’t use these if you have congestive heart failure.

• If your arm or leg or foot is very sensitive to pain, don’t use a lymphedema sleeve on it.

Check with your doctor before using any type of sequential compression device.

All information on AboutCompressionStockings.com is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Maternity Stockings: Pregnant Women Find Relief from Maternity Stockings

Pregnancy can be a time of incredible joy, hope, and excitement – and a time of physical discomfort. The increased blood volume and weight gain that pregnant women experience puts pressure on the veins in the lower body, making women susceptible to both spider veins and varicose veins. To prevent varicose veins during pregnancy, health care providers often recommend maternity stockings.

What are maternity stockings?

This supportive legwear squeezes the veins in the legs, making blood flow more easily and reducing the likelihood of developing varicose legs, which are bulging masses of swollen veins, which often occur in the legs. Varicose veins can occur in other areas of the body, too; when they occur in the rectal area, they’re known as hemorrhoids. Pregnant women who are overweight, carry twins, triplets, or other multiples, or who have a genetic predisposition to varicose veins are more likely to develop them.

What brand should I choose?

Maternity compression stockings don’t have to be unfashionable. There are several popular retailers, including Juzo, Jobst, Mediven, and Sigvaris, that make patterned, colored stockings that are perfect for wearing with skirts or professional attire.

Where do I get them?

You can get these stockings at a drugstore or pharmacy, medical supply store, or from online retailers. Pregnancy stockings come in different levels of compression; the higher the level, the more tightly they squeeze the leg veins. Your doctor or midwife may suggest that drugstore legwear is good enough for you, or he or she may recommend higher levels available only with a prescription.

How do I use them?

These stockings should be worn daily, but taken off at night. Slide your foot into the foot of the stockings, and then gently roll the stockings up the leg. Be careful not to tug the stocking into place; you could ruin the elastic compression fibers if you do this. Avoid putting lotion on your legs or wearing rings or other jewelry when you put on your maternity stockings. If you have trouble getting the stockings on, you can use a device called a compression stocking aid (or stocking donner) to help make it easier.

Compression Stocking Aids

To reap the circulatory and other health benefits of compression stockings, you’ve got to get them on your legs. But putting on these tight stockings isn’t always an easy task for people with arthritis, limited hand strength, or other conditions that limit movement or functioning. That’s where stocking aids come in.

These devices assist people in getting the stocking over their feet and ankles. Compression stocking aids also make it easier to pull the stocking over the leg and sometimes eliminate the need for a person to bend forward.

There are several different kinds.

Fabric Aids

Fabric aids are used with open-toe styled compression hose. They make it easier for a person to get their foot into the stocking and pull the aid out of the stocking. A person would still need to bend to use this type of stocking aid.

An example is the Terrycloth Sock Aid.

Gutter Aids

Gutter stocking aids use ropes or cords to help pull the stocking up the person’s leg, eliminating the need to bend over.  The gutter type of compression aid makes it easier for a person to get their toes in the stocking, too.

An example of a gutter aid is the Everyday Essentials Deluxe Hard Plastic Sock Aid.

Frame Aids

Frame stocking aids use a hard plastic or metal frame to stretch the stockings so the user can put his or her foot in. A frame stocking aid may have handles so a person can pull the compression stockings up without bending over or bending down.

An example of a frame stocking aid is the Jobst Stocking Donner.

Your doctor or physical therapist can recommend a stocking aid for you, based on your physical limitations.