Is a compression sock a compression sock a compression sock? Or are some better/different than others. I was going to head down to Kaiser, a local medical center, to pick up a pair, but began to wonder. Any opinions out there?
I think that they’re all pretty much the same unless you need a special size/length. They had a few different brands, colors, sizes to choose from. The ones I have go up to my knee. Kaiser probably has the extremely large/small ones that go all the way up to your hip.
I picked up a pair at Walgreens to wear on a flight to New Zealand before the IM a few years ago. My guess is that most pharmacies have them.
-Darrell
The compression socks that I saw at one of the pharmacy stores (either Longs or Walgreens) were rated for how much compression they provide (in mm Hg). I got the “Firm” ones that are knee-high, and I can tell you that they indeed work: the first transatlantic trip I’ve taken where my feet did not swell. Highly recommended.
John
I write for these all the time - as far as brands go, I prefer MEDI (especially for men), followed by Sigvaris, then Jobst, then Juzo. All others are “no name” and cheaper.
Most important is the amount of compression, usually in 10mmHg (i.e. 20-30, 30-40mm Hg). Next is length (knee high, thigh high) and lastly closed or open toe.
I write for these all the time - as far as brands go, I prefer MEDI (especially for men), followed by Sigvaris, then Jobst, then Juzo. All others are “no name” and cheaper.
Most important is the amount of compression, usually in 10mmHg (i.e. 20-30, 30-40mm Hg). Next is length (knee high, thigh high) and lastly closed or open toe.
Care to expand on this? My situation…I sit at a desk several days a week for about 4-6 hours at a time. I drive about an hour to get there and about an hour to get back home. I don’t have varicose veins. I’m in good shape, but my hate the fact that my legs swell after sitting practically motionless for several hours. It makes the arches of my feet hurt sometimes, and other times it feels like it’s causing my calf to stretch in a somewhat painful manner. It sucks. If I were guessing, I’d say knee highs with an open toe sound best, but I have no idea what type of compression rating I’d need. Shall I just order online?
Ah, just for that I would go with about 20mmHg, knee high and closed toe (the open toe parts tends to be irritating to people). I thought maybe you had some serious varicosities like Hincapie or something.
Definitely look at the Medi brand as they are much more “sheer” in feel than the abrasive Jobsts and come in lots of colors (blue, black, etc.) instead of standard brown. To an onlooker, they look just like socks.