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You are here: Home / Compression Therapy / Support Stockings Or Support Pantyhose, Compression Stockings Or Compression Pantyhose – Are They All The Same Or Is There A Difference?

Support Stockings Or Support Pantyhose, Compression Stockings Or Compression Pantyhose – Are They All The Same Or Is There A Difference?

February 9, 2011 Gregory 23 Comments




Generally speaking, the terminology involving support and compression garments can be rather confusing for most of us delving into this subject.

Frequently, and in most cases unintentionally, articles in the media, on websites and in blogs seem to mix and match phrases and terms describing support and compression garments freely, often describing something different than what they are actually talking about.

If you are puzzled by the names and choices – here is our attempt to clarify the terms that are being used for support and compression hosiery and to shed some light on what it all means.

Support Stockings and Support Pantyhose:

These types of support garments traditionally include knee-high, thigh-high and pantyhose type hosiery of compression classes below the range of 20 mmHg*).  Nevertheless, the terms support stockings, support pantyhose or support tights do not always mean that they also feature graduated compression.

Graduated or gradient pressure is the pressure the support stocking or pantyhose exerts on your legs.  The applied pressure is the strongest at the ankle area, gradually decreasing going up the leg, with the lowest pressure applied to your thigh area.

Support pantyhose or stockings are generally advocated as a preventive measure to preserve healthy legs or to remedy and soothe minor but often nagging symptoms in the legs.  Such signs and indications can manifest themselves as a feeling of heaviness or pain in the legs.

This can be caused by extended periods of standing or sitting (at work or during travel by plane, train, bus or car), discomfort from restless legs or minor swelling.  In addition, support socks, tights or hose have also proven to aid athletes with quicker recovery from spirited running or biking activities.

A Word of Caution:

Self-diagnosing and applying compression stockings without consulting your medical care provider could be dangerous to your health depending on your condition(s) and could potentially make things worse. Always seek the advice of your physician before making any changes.

Compression Stockings and Compression Pantyhose:

Compression stockings could be considered “support hosiery on steroids”.  These compression socks, knee-highs, thigh-highs and pantyhose style garments always feature graduated compression.  They always come in compression levels ranging from 20-40 mmHg or higher and should, as with any type of compression or support hose, be applied only as recommended and approved by your physician.

Compression stockings are divided into different classifications with varying degrees of compression, each addressing the varying degrees of symptoms and severity of a condition.

Class I Graduated Compression Stockings (15-21 mmHg) are designed to address the initial stages or milder symptoms of

  • varicose veins and spider veins
  • edema
  • thrombosis
  • venous insufficiency

Class II Graduated Compression Stockings (20-30 mmHg) are intended to help with

  • more pronounced varicosities and varicose veins
  • preventing edema (swelling from fluid accumulation in the legs)
  • preventing thrombosis (blood clots) after surgery

 

Class III Graduated Compression Stockings (30-40 mmHg) are prescribed to address:

  • more severe conditions of the deeper vein system as determined by the findings and recommendations of your physician and/or a vein specialist.

 

Class IV Graduated Compression Stockings (above 59 mmHg) provide very strong compression and are usually intended for:

  • very severe conditions of the venous system as determined and recommended by the findings of your physician and/or a vein specialist.

 

 

See also our post  “A Closer Look at Compression Classifications”

*) = is the pressure applied by the stockings to the leg measured in units of mmHg [millimeters of mercury]

If you liked this post please let us know with a comment and feel free to add any personal experiences you have to contribute.




Related posts:

  1. What Is Graduated Compression?
  2. How To Get The Longest Wear Out Of Your Support Hosiery
  3. Can Graduated Compression Stockings And Support Hose Help Prevent Varicose Veins And Spider Veins?
  4. Can Real Men Wear Compression Stockings?
  5. Questions And Answers About Compression Stockings And Support Hosiery

Compression Therapy, Questions and Answers related to Graduated Compression and Support Hosiery Compression Hosiery, Compression Socks, Compression Stockings, Compression Therapy, Graduated Compression, Graduated support hosiery, Leg Wellness, Maternity Compression Stockings, Maternity Support Hosiery, Support hose, Support Stockings

Comments

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  14. Sweet says

    August 16, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Great article and I find so many ladies are confused about hosiery, especially compression, sheer, support, etc. General public thinks grandma’s pantyhose still exist, when all the new innovative styles rock. I love the support daily wear so I can prevent varicose veins and hide that little bit of cellulite.

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    August 14, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.

    Reply
  16. Chelsi says

    July 31, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    Good points all around. Truly appreciated.

    Reply
  17. A. Ovechkin says

    July 27, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Fabulous site, very interesting. I like it a lot. Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  18. Adela says

    July 7, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    Thanks so much for this useful article! In your previous page you also recommend to go to a supply store where they could help measuring and also one could try them on…Being I never wore compression stockings, I was hoping to find a supply store in NYC where I could have these two things done. I must have called 10 stores and only one had them but they are too far to go in person.

    Anyone happens to know of such store where I can go in NYC (Manhattan)?

    After my recent hip surgery my leg on that side got very swollen then it subsided somewhat, and all that swelling went to the foot. (The weird thing is that the OTHER foot got much more swollen!)

    Will these knee highs also regulate the foot swelling?

    Thanks ever so much for an opinion. 🙂 Adela

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    July 4, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    This website has answered many questions I have regarding the need for compression for health conditions. But if the compression lessens from ankle up to thigh to help with circulation, but you also need a form of control top shapewear for smoother thighs, what do you choose?

    Reply
    • admin says

      July 4, 2011 at 3:50 pm

      Although the compression gradually lessens from the ankle going up the leg graduated compression hosiery likely creates a smoothing or shaping effect as well. The smoothing or shaping effect may be more or less depending on the compression level you are wearing.

      Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    February 13, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    Thanks for the help. Much appreciated!

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    February 10, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    I actually knew about most of this. However, I still believe it had been beneficial. Good post!

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    February 10, 2011 at 8:43 am

    This is really great that you write about this. I really appreciate it.

    Reply

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