Besides scrubs, compression socks are perhaps one of the most important mainstays of a nurse’s wardrobe.Because nurses stand all day, often for 12 or more hours at a time, gravity is constantly pulling down onyour blood and other fluids, compromising circulation, leading to swelling and potentially causing all sortsof other health problems. Compression sockshelp fight these negative effects of gravity by applying different levels of graduated pressure to yourlower body veins to encourage the blood to keep moving.
Nurses know that they should wear compression socks, but which kind should you buy? After all, there are fivelevels of medical compression socksavailable, each with slightly different benefits. Below, we break down the five main grades of compressionsocks, explaining what conditions they can help prevent or treat.
8-15 mmHg (mild)
The mildest version of compression garments, this level helps address mild symptoms such as minor lower bodyswelling in the feet, ankles and legs. Compression socks in the 8-15 mmHg range can help prevent your legsfrom getting fatigued during long periods of sitting and/or standing, and they also help reduce the tired,aching feeling you often get from a day spent on your feet. If you’re pregnant, these compression stockingscan also help prevent the formation of varicose and spider veins, especially early on in the pregnancybefore you start swelling a lot. In sum, 8-15 mmHg will help you maintain your already healthy and energizedlegs.
15-20 mmHg (medium)
This is most common entry level of compression socks, and most doctors will recommend that you start with15-20 mmHg if you’ve never worn compression socks before. These socks also help relieve tired, aching legsand prevent or reduce lower body swelling. This grade of compression also helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a seriouscondition that occurs when a blood clot forms in the veins deep in the body, often in the legs. If a DVTclot breaks loose, it can result in a pulmonary embolism, or a sudden blockage in a lung artery.Professionals who sit or stand all day, such as nurses, are at greater risk for developing DVT, which is whywearing compression socks is so important.
If you’re pregnant, 15-20 mmHg compression garments will help to reduce swelling and prevent varicose andspider veins from forming. They may also be used in post-sclerotherapy treatment to prevent these unsightlyveins from reappearing. This is also a great compression grade for those who travel (and therefore sit) alot, such as travel nurses.
20-30 mmHg (firm)
The next grade of compression offers many of the same benefits as the first two levels–preventing theappearance of varicose and spider veins, preventing and relieving venous issues and swelling duringpregnancy, preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), generally encouraging good circulation and so on.
However, this greater level of compression can also help treat more serious venous issues, including:moderate to severe edema or lymphatic edema (aka swelling);the management of active ulcers and manifestations of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a long-term conditionthat results from DVT; superficial thrombophlebitis, an inflammatory condition caused by a blood clot justbelow the skin; and orthostatic hypotension, a sudden fall in blood pressure that occurs when you stand up.You doctor will be able to advise if you need to upgrade to this level of medical compression socks.
30-40 mmHg (extra firm)
This grade of compression helps prevent or treat more serious versions of the same conditions as the 20-30mmHg. Again, you shouldn’t wear this higher level of compression unless you have been instructed to do so byyour doctor. If you just want to wear compression socks for their overall health benefits, try the 8-15 mmHg(mild) or 15-20 mmHg (medium) products.
40-50 mmHg (Rx)
The highest level of compression, these products are used to treat serious venous diseases such as acutelower body swelling, severe varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis. Talk toyour doctor before trying out medical compression socks of this grade.
A word of caution: While compression socks are generally safe for anyone to use, patients with certainconditions should talk to their doctor before wearing compression gear. Problematic conditions includeischemia, untreated septic thrombophlebitis, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, phlegmasia ceruleadolens, concomitant dermatoses, advanced peripheral neuropathy and arthritis.
That being said, most nurses will be able to wear 8-15 mmHg or 15-20 mmHg compression socks without issue. Ifyou’ve been suffering from tired legs and sluggish circulation, turn to medical compression socks for helpand your lower body will feel better in no time.
