How do I know which level of compression is right for me?

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Pick a door…any door…

There are many levels of compression that compression stockings come in and they are all for different purposes. Some work better than other depending on the situation. Just because 30-40 mmHg is a higher level of compression than a 15-20 mmHg doesn’t mean that it’s more effective for you.

The 12-16 mmHg and 15-20 mmHg compression are low levels of compression. They are perfect for air travel, long car rides and supporting your legs if you stand or sit for long periods of time. Many people find that wearing a lower level of compression is great as a daily sock. You don’t need to have a problem with your veins or legs to wear compression stockings. I wear them and a lot of the staff at Leg Smart wear them everyday as well.

The 20-30 mmHg, 30-40 mmHg and 40-50 mmHg levels of compression are stronger and have more sizing options. You’ll also notice that they come in more style options such as knee high or thigh high. The higher level of compression also limits the kinds of materials that are used to make the sock or stockings. These materials are usually advanced synthetics to help regulate heat and moisture. In addition, they also help the compression stocking be more stretchy. So you don’t find a lot of compression socks with a high cotton content in a 40-50 mmHg thigh high. If you’re not sure what level of compression to choose, always consult your doctor or medical professional.

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  1. Kirk says:
    November 27, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    What does it mean..15-20 mmHg ? This number or range of numbers is very confusing to me and others! Is this the range of pressure from ankle to the top or is this the range of the initial pressure at the ankle and them the degree of pressure will get decraesed as you move up the leg.
    Please review and advise
    Thank you
    Kirk

  2. Sam says:
    November 30, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Hey Kirk!

    To answer your question, lets break this into two parts. The “mmHg” stands for millimeters of mercury. Just like in blood pressure. It’s a unit of measure for pressure that commonly used in medicine. Next, the 15-20 gives a range. Since the compression stocking can’t exactly provide your legs with a certain amount of pressure, manufacturers give a range that they guarantee that the sock will provide. The compression is the highest at the ankle and gets lighter towards the top of the sock. (So 15-20 mmHg is at the ankle.) So if your wearing a 15-20 mmHg and your legs are a bit more swollen that day, you might be getting around 19 mmHg. Or if the socks feel a bit loose, your legs might be getting 16 mmHg. Be sure to replace your compression stockings every 5-6 months to assure that the level of compression stays within that range.

    Thanks for commenting!

    Sam

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