Compression garments are made from lycra and are usually custom made to suit a person’s individual needs. They can cover any part of the body, encompassing just one limb or the whole body, depending on the person’s needs. They are worn directly on the skin and work by applying direct and sustained pressure to the skin to:
- help control swelling
- assist scar tissue to mature
- protect fragile skin
- promote wound healing.
Compression footwear is also available and can be purchased from medical suppliers or custom made to suit the person. There are two types of lower limb compression:
- basic compression applying direct pressure to one area
- graduated compression being tightest at the ankle, gradually reducing up the limb helping to promote blood flow from the lower limb to the heart.
There are three levels of graduated compression stockings:
- Level 1 compression can be purchased from a chemist and is recommended for aching legs, minor varicose veins and mild ankle swelling
- Level 2 compression requires medical prescription by a doctor and is recommended for moderate to severe varicose veins, marked ankle swelling and to prevent re-occurrence of leg ulcers
- Level 3 compression requires medical prescription by a doctor and is recommended for severe varicose veins, ankle swelling and/or leg ulcers.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
People who may benefit from using compression garments within the workplace include those who have experienced:
- burns
- physical trauma such as crush injuries
- lymphoedema (fluid retention often as a result of surgery).
Pressure garments can be worn within the workplace however depending on the type and location of use may result in the wearer requiring the capacity for:
- change in their work role to avoid garment getting wet as this can reduce the compression qualities of the garment
- change in their work role to avoid naked flames as compression garments are highly flammable
- change in their work role to avoid extreme heat or prolonged exposure to sunlight as this can reduce the compression qualities of the garment
- extra care when working with chlorine, bleach and solvents to avoid contact with the pressure garment as it can reduce the compression qualities of the garment
- extra cooling, such as staying indoors during the warmer part of the day or being provided with extra breaks to cool down.
When considering the use of Compression garments and footwear, the following links may be useful:
References
Second Skin 2006, About Second Skin, Second Skin, Perth, viewed 4 February 2011, http://www.secondskin.com.au/.
The Medical Stockings Company 2008, What is Graduated Compression, The Medical Stockings Company, Sydney, viewed 4 February 2011, http://www.medicalstockings.com.au/what-is-graduated-compression.