Chronic Venous Insufficiency Compression Stockings and Socks
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that affects the valves and/or venous walls of veins in the legs. When this occurs, blood cannot return to the heart from the legs as effectively, causing blood to pool in the veins. The valves in your veins can become damaged as a result of reduced mobility, aging, or a combination of both. If left untreated, the condition can worsen and result in the capillaries in your legs bursting, resulting in reddish-brown skin that is susceptible to being broken. If the problem persists, it could lead to more serious issues such as ulcers, cellulitis, and more. It’s important to address CVI sooner than later to help prevent it from progressing into a more serious problem.
Benefits of Compression Therapy for CVI
Compression therapy is a conservative approach to treating CVI, but it can be very effective. By compressing legs with socks, stockings, or pantyhose, blood has less room to pool and is forced to circulate through the body. Compression stockings for chronic venous insufficiency can be found in several compression levels depending on your needs, but you will need a prescription from your doctor for stockings with more than 20 mmHg compression. Ask your doctor which compression level is right for you to make sure you’re getting the best treatment possible.