For people who are allergic to silicone and cannot tolerate the silicone top band on thigh high compression stockings, they should consider wearing waist high compression stockings such as pantyhose or men’s leotard.

If you are concerned about shoe size of comfort of your feet, consider wearing an open toe compression stocking. Every brand LegSmart.com carries makes an open toe compression stocking. Please feel free to contact our Customer Care Team if you have any questions about finding the right compression stocking for you.

Email us 24/7 at: support@legsmart.com

Men have larger feet than women, so compression stockings specifically labeled for men usually have a longer foot. If you’re a woman, and you always complain about the foot portion being too tight on your toes, consider wearing a men’s compression stocking.

Compression stockings for men and women also have different styles when it comes to the material. For women, a more sheer fabric is used, and the style of the compression stockings are usually without a pattern. For men, compression stockings tend to be ribbed, to look like a dress sock. Also, color selection varies depending on gender. Compression stockings for women usually get different beige colors such as Suntan, Natural, Taupe and Wheat. Men usually only get one beige color that’s Khaki. If you don’t mind either way, and the length in the foot portion doesn’t bother you, you could wear any compression stocking you wanted, as long as it fits.

You can switch wearing thigh high compression stockings to wearing either a waist high compression stocking (pantyhose or men’s leotard), or a knee high compression stocking.

Please note! If you are choosing to go from a thigh high to a knee high, make sure that the knee high is providing you with the adequate support. If you need compression on or above your knee, do not switch to wearing a knee high. The knee high compression stockings will not support your legs properly. Consider wearing a waist high compression stocking such as a pantyhose or a men’s leotard.

If you are going to stay with the thigh high, you can choose to wear a thigh high without a silicone top band. If you are concerned about the top slipping down, try using It Stays body adhesive. Just a little bit on the skin is enough to hold your compression stockings up on your thigh. It’s also water soluble so it comes out with a little warm water and gentle soap. To order a thigh high without silicone top band, please contact the LegSmart.com Customer Care Team at support@legsmart.com.

In the meantime, preserve the compression in your compression stockings by washing them every night in cool water with a gentle soap. Avoid harsh detergents and softeners. Do not place your compression stockings in a hot drier. This will help keep your compression stockings from stretching out. Also, be sure to replace your compression stockings every 4 to 5 months, as the compression in your stockings will run out with 6 months of wear.

When your stockings don’t fit well, always double check your measurements and sizing. If your measurements and sizing not correct, or outdated, the stocking will not fit well and may slide down or roll.

Next, you’ll want to check to see if your compression stocking is old. If it’s been about 6 months, then you’ll want to replace them. After 6 months, compression stockings lose their strength and can slide down your leg.

A good thing to have on your compression stockings is a silicone border. Knee high compression stockings with silicone borders will grip the top of the calf and prevent any sliding or rolling. You want to wear the silicone border the same way you would wear the top band of a regular knee high. Don’t pull the silicone up into your knee. Make sure it stops below the back of the bend of your knee.

Also, be sure to use donning gloves when putting on your knee highs and spread the material out evenly on your leg. This will help ensure that your compression stocking is properly put on your leg.

The best way to put on compression stockings is to open the top band and step into them like pants. Stop pulling when your foot feels a bit of resistance from the stocking. You’re not going to get your compression stocking on your legs in one pull, so don’t pull really hard from the top. I recommend the use of donning gloves when putting on compression stockings. Donning gloves help your hands grip the material so that you can pull it up your legs little by little.

Fit is very important, so washing your compression stockings properly is also an important step to having them wear comfortably on your leg.

(From left to right, the Mediven Motion Sport 16-20 mmHg and 20-30 mmHg.)

Features

The Motion Sport is a very forward thinking compression sock. Effectively utilizing synthetic materials and fibers, the Motion Sport is able to manage heat and moisture better than most other cotton sport socks or nylon dress socks. Clima-Comfort fiber technology is used to draw perspiration away from the skin and the soft, plush material on the leg and padded sole gives a luxurious feeling. There is also a ribbed texture on the sock, which stretches out when worn on the leg, providing a cooling effect to relieve excess heat and moisture. The Motion Sport is available in both the 16-20 mmHg and 20-30 mmHg levels of compression and comes in five sizes so almost anyone can enjoy the benefits the Motion Sport has to offer.

Durability

Mediven’s Motion Sport compression socks are very durable. Made of mostly Polamid and Elasthan, Motion Sport isn’t as fragile as other synthetic dress socks therefore, with its thicker more plush construction, the Motion Sport holds up better to washing and wearing than other dress socks. So you’re covered when you’re playing a sport or walking long distances in airports.

Wearability

The plushy material and cushioned sole wears great on any leg and the cool and comfortable material wicks away moisture, feeling like cotton during sport, travel and daily wear. The Motion Sport is extremely easy to wear, care for and it’s comfortable on your legs and feet no matter what you’re doing. Mediven has made an incredible compression sock.

The Verdict

4.5 Stars – Awesome!

Superb – The Mediven Motion Sport utilizes the Clima-Comfort fibers to ensure cool and comfy feet and legs.

Luxurious – The plush, ribbed design looks great on the leg and feels even better for the person wearing it.

Versatile – Not only is the Motion Sport good for sports, it’s also often worn as a dress sock.

Pregnancy and Vein Health

Veins are responsible of transporting deoxygenated blood back to the heart and other organs so it can be cleaned and replenished with oxygen. With all the changes in the body during pregnancy, the veins and the leg muscles must work extra hard in order to successfully transport the blood back to the heart and vital organs.

When blood is not transported back up the leg, it can pool in the veins. Varicose veins may develop and legs may feel heavy, tired and achy. Pregnant mothers can also experience problems of tiredness, restlessness, heaviness, tension in the legs, tingling sensation, muscle cramps, and swollen feet.

Of women who gave birth, approximately 30% of first time pregnancies and 55% of women with previous pregnancies develop varicose veins. (Swiss Medical Weekly 2001: 131: 659-662).

Blood that pools in veins has a risk of becoming blood clots, and if these blood clots break off, it can have severe health consequences. Other conditions that can emerge include dizziness, palpitation or even a breakdown of the venous valves.

Many factors can contribute to the veins to become unhealthy during pregnancy such as:

1. History of venous disease in your family
2. Existing venous condition previous to your pregnancy
3. Multiple pregnancies
4. Long hours standing or sitting

Tips for Healthier Veins during Pregnancy

Elevate the legs above the level of your heart while you rest. This will also give your veins a rest as gravity will assist the return of the blood to the heart.

1. Avoid long periods of standing or sitting. Take breaks and do some Healthy Leg Exercises.
2. Tight-fitting undergarments should be avoided as it can impede the flow of the blood in the body.
3. Avoid exposure to hot temperatures (hot baths, saunas, sunbathing).
4. Refresh your legs with a cooling shower.
5. Pregnant Mothers should wear Compression Stockings.

Compression stockings provide gradient compression therapy that can alleviate some of the venous pressure from your legs. The increased circulation will help prevent blood from pooling in the veins.

Benefit of Compression Stockings during Pregnancy

Compression stockings (also known as support hose) are specially designed socks and stockings to assist the veins in your legs to transport the blood back to the heart.

Wearing maternity compression socks and stockings is an easy way to promote leg health. More women are discovering the benefits of wearing compression socks during pregnancy. Many people are making compression socks and stockings a part of their daily life and wearing them to work, for sports and travel. No more tired, heavy, achy legs and swollen feet. Compression socks and stockings come in lots of different styles, materials and colors, so it looks like you’re wearing a regular sock. They match your entire wardrobe and they make your legs and feet feel better.

If you have any questions about your health, please consult your doctor.

Have questions? Email us at support@legsmart.com.