Getting the right fit
It is very important that your stockings, socks and tights should fit you properly so they will work effectively. Importantly, the fit must be:
- The right size to create graduated compression up your leg, tightest at your ankle and progressively less tight up your leg
- The right level of compression to give you just the right strength of pressure to help your medical condition
Getting the right size
Your nurse, GP or pharmacist will measure your legs to ensure that you are prescribed exactly the right sized stockings or socks.
It is very important to be measured regularly and accurately to make sure that you get the full benefit from wearing your compression hosiery. It is also very important that your legs should be re-measured every 3 months or so, as the size of your legs can sometimes vary, depending on whether there has been a change in your medical condition, or as a result of wearing graduated compression hosiery regularly.
Your nurse will measure each of your legs individually – they are not necessarily both the same size – and write a regular repeat prescription for you to take to your local pharmacist.
If you do not fit a standard size, Scholl provide a full made to measure service which your nurse can request.
Getting the right level of compression
Stockings, socks and tights that can be prescribed by your doctor or nurse fall into three classes: 1, 2 and 3. These numbers relate to increasing levels of compression, with class 1 being the lightest compression through to class 3 which is the strongest.
The class your doctor or nurse chooses to prescribe for you depends upon what condition you have and how much help the veins in your legs need.