About Compression Stockings

The health condition lymphedema involves swelling in the arms and legs. When the lymphatic system in your body becomes blocked, fluid may have difficulty draining and circulating. As a result, the fluid has nowhere to go and collects, causing uncomfortable swelling. Although the condition has no cure, sometimes the swelling may be relieved with lymphedema compression stockings.

Lymphedema often develops after a person has surgery, injury, or infection. All of these situations can make it difficult for the lymphatic system to drain lymph fluid. Cancer, radiation treatment, and other diseases may also cause this lymphatic disorder.

One of the most common symptoms of lymphedema include swelling in the arm or leg (the fingers and toes may also swell). If you have this health problem, your arm or leg may feel heavy and tight and it may be difficult to move. If you have lymphedema, you may develop infections in the affected body part, and the skin in that area may become thickened and hard.

If you see a doctor about lymphedema swelling in the arm and leg, he or she may have you undergo tests such as MRI, radionuclide imaging, CT, and Doppler ultrasound.

To treat lymphedema, your doctor may recommend a variety of therapies, including exercise and massage. You may need to wrap your swollen body part with bandages to improve lymphatic drainage. Doctors also often recommend lymphedema compression stockings. These tight elastic stockings squeeze your arm or leg and make it easier for fluid to drain out of your body. Some common brands of compression stockings include Sigvaris, Mediven, Jobst, and Juzo. Compression stockings also help prevent swelling if you are prone to this health condition.

Lymphedema compression can make it less likely that your puffy arm or leg will become severely swollen.