Jobst Support Hose

Support Hose after Stroke: New Research Says Support Hose Doesn’t Work

Stroke patients don’t benefit from wearing support hose, found a study in the most recent issue of the United Kingdom-based The Lancet journal.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that the risk of blood clots in stroke patients didn’t improve when they wore thigh high support stockings. In addition, the researchers reported that 5 percent of patients developed ulcers, dead skin tissue, and blisters.

As a result of their findings, the study authors suggest reevaluating current recommendations that all stroke patients wear support hose after surgery.

Although this research indicates that support stockings may not reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots and deep vein thrombosis, other research has indicated that support hose are often improperly used, even by nursing staff and medical personnel. Patients are often prescribed the wrong size stockings, they may be instructed to wear thigh high stockings when knee high varieties work just as well, and both medical personnel and patients may have trouble putting the support hose on the right way.

Many studies have found that using support hose contributes to increased blood flow and reduces the risk of venous disorders. Although this study found that stroke patients don’t benefit, compression garments may still help relieve aching, tired legs, reduce the risk of varicose veins and leg swelling, and cut the risk of blood clots during travel and after surgery – but only if they’re used properly.

What’s the best brand to use? Support hose manufactured by Jobst, Juzo, Mediven, and Sigvaris, come with detailed instructions on how to use the legwear for best results.

Jobst Hose

Elastic support panty hose and support hose work well to alleviate leg cramps and leg swelling. Support hose, like Jobst support hose, work by applying pressure to the veins and lymphatic system of the leg.

Because a compression stocking is made of elastic fibers and rubber, it tightly presses against the leg. This added pressure supports the veins, keeps blood circulating more easily, and reduces the risk that clots or swelling will occur in the lower part of a person’s body.

Jobst hose are manufactured in several levels of compression, measured by mmHg (millimeter of mercury). Over-the-counter (support) Jobst support hose come in 10-15 mmHg or 15-20 mmHg varieties. Medium hose require a prescription and come in 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, and 50+ mmHg varieties. High compression hose come in 18-21, 23-32, 34-46, and up to 50 mmHg varieties. High compression stockings are usually custom made.

Your doctor or phlebologist (a doctor who specializes in treating vein disorders and varicose vein treatment) may refer to your Jobst hose as support hosiery, medical compression stockings, anti-embolism stockings, or lymphedema compression stockings.

All of these support stockings work on the same basic principle – tightly supporting the veins in the leg to promote better blood flow. Jobst support hose work best when a person has been prescribed the right amount of compression and gets a good fitting compression stocking.

Here are some user comments on Jobst support hose:

Women’s UltraSheer Moderate Support Thigh Highs 15-20 mmHg: “They gave me the compression I needed (15-20,) but looked like regular pantyhose. Even though my blood clot has been gone for 4 years, I still buy these to wear as support stockings because they make my legs feel so nice.”
UltraSheer Firm Support Knee Highs 20-30 mmHg: “Nice tone and transparency. I wore for my post operation support. Breathable and comfortable.”
Jobst for Men 15-20 mmHg Support Socks: “I have tried several brands of support hose and I feel that these socks give me the most comfortable support and they seem to fit my legs better than the other brands I have tried. I have finally settled on these hose for my everyday support hose.”
Jobst Maternity Compression Hose 15-20 mmHg