The January 2015 Issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery featured an article comparing compression stockings prescribed to patients by their medical care providers for conditions such as venous insufficiency and/or swelling in the legs.

The purpose of this comparison study, which was conducted at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa, was to assess the pressure gradient of compression stockings.  In particular, comparing more expensive brand name compression stockings (priced at up to $63.96 ea.) versus lower priced generic compression hosiery (priced at $19.95 to $26 ea.).

Surprisingly, the study results showed that a higher price tag does not necessarily equate a superior product.  In fact, the lower priced compression stockings offered the same degree of compression and consistency in the pressure gradient reduction as their much more expensive brand name counterparts.  One of the more expensive brands actually showed only a very minimal pressure gradient of 2 mmHg compared to the other stockings that were included in the test.

Unfortunately this test was comprised of only a relatively small sampling of compression stocking brands. Nevertheless, the study showed that very reasonably priced compression stockings can be of equally good quality to that of more expensive compression hosiery and can meet the same standards in terms of pressure gradient reduction.

The study also shows a need for transparency concerning this type of data and that this kind of information should be made available to medical care providers to help them advise their patients in the best possible way when compression therapy is prescribed to them.

For additional details of the above referenced study please click on the link below…

Variability in Compression

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