Posts Tagged ‘buy compression stocking’

The High Cost of Compression Stockings: Tips on Cutting Costs

The high price tag associated with compression hose keep many users from wearing compression stockings as recommended. Here are tips for cutting costs.

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Discount Compression Stockings: Are They Worth the Bargain?

Has your doctor told you that you need to wear compression stockings for your varicose veins, lymphedema, pregnancy, or deep vein thrombosis?

With prices ranging from $50 to even $150 or more per pair, your first response is probably sticker shock when you visit a medical supply store to purchase them. In many cases, your health care provider might recommend purchasing two or more pairs, the cost of which can be a definite budget buster.

It’s tempting to search for the lowest priced stockings, thinking you’re saving money. But when it comes to compression gear, there are a few considerations before beginning a bargain hunt.

Buying Cheap Could Hurt Your Health

Discount stockings come in a variety of compression levels. Typically, lighter stockings with less compression are less expensive than higher level stockings. But stockings in the 8-15 mmHg  range, the cheapest varieties, only help people with minor vein problems, such as aching legs from pregnancy or people in careers that have them on their feet a lot.

People with serious vein problems, whose doctors recommend firmer compression, may be putting their health at risk if they try to skimp on cost by using a lighter compression than they need. If you need cheap compression stockings in the 30-40 mmHg or higher range, expect to pay $75 or more per pair.

Off-Brand Stockings May Not Work as Well

Juzo, Jobst, Sigvaris, and Mediven are some of the most common manufacturers of compression stockings. Those looking for discount stockings may come across drugstore brands or knockoff varieties produced overseas on auction sites, but often you get what you pay for: the compression level may not be as advertised, or the stockings may be low quality and wear out more quickly than a name brand carried by medical supply stores.

Buying Used Often a Bad Idea

Online auction sites like Ebay and even Craigslist may turn up deals on lightly used stockings. But consider this: With used stockings, it’s hard to verify the stocking’s compression level, especially if there is no original packaging. The previous wearer may have weighed more or less than you, stretching out the stocking and compromising the compression.

For these reasons, doctors do not recommend wearing used stockings, but instead getting those fitted for you. However, if you can find new cheap medical stockings that come in their original packaging, and you’re certain you’re getting the brand, size, and compression level you need, you may be able to snag a deal.

Discount Medical Stockings: You CAN Find Deals

Buying medical stockings online can net you some bargains, though. Here are a few tips to get online deals on name brand stockings:

1) Purchasing through a retailer like Amazon can get you free shipping for orders over $25 (free 2-day membership if you have a Prime membership). They carry brands like:

• Juzo (30-40 mmHg Unisex Thigh Highs; 40-50 mmHg Open Toe Thigh Highs)
• Jobst (20-30 mmHg Knee Highs Unisex)
• Sigvaris (20-30 mmHg Truly Transparent Thigh Highs; 30-40 mmHg Open Toe Thigh Highs Unisex)
• Mediven (20-30 mmHg Open Toe Knee Highs)
• Compression Stocking Aids

2) Look for coupon codes for online discount compression stocking retailers. Try Googling “coupon code” and the name of the supplier website to find codes that you can enter to get a percentage off your order or free shipping.

3) Buy multiples. It’s not as good a shipping deal as Amazon, but other medical supply retailers often offer free shipping on orders $65 and above, so buying stockings in bulk (and you’ll need at least one pair to wear, one pair to wash) can save some money.

Measure Yourself for Compression Stockings

Wearing compression stockings that don’t fit can be a daily drag. Most physicians recommend that people who need to wear stockings for varicose vein treatment get specially fitted for these special support hose that increase circulation and reduce leg swelling.

A representative at your local medical supply store can fit you for your stockings and teach you how to wear them properly. However, if you want to buy stockings from an online retailer, you’ll need to measure yourself. Here are step-by-step instructions to measure yourself for stockings. Be sure to record each measurement for each leg.

1. Measure around your ankle (this measurement is called the circumference). Place the measuring tape at the narrowest part of the ankle, above the ankle bone.
2. Find the widest part of your calf. Measure the circumference of your calf.
3. Sit on a chair with your legs at a 90-degree angle. Measure the distance from the bend in your knee to the floor.
4. Find the widest part of your thigh – right under your buttocks. Measure the circumference of this part of your thigh.
5. Measure the distance from the bottom of your buttocks to the floor.
6. Find the widest part of your hips/waist and measure the circumference.

Take these recorded measurements and use them in conjunction with the sizing chart for the brand of stockings you’ve chosen, such as Mediven, Sigvaris, Juzo, or Jobst. All of these compression stocking manufacturers offer sizing charts that will ensure you get the proper fit.