here are the cases in which they can be dangerous, according to a physiotherapist

Compression stockings have become a common accessory in the treatment of circulatory problems and leg pain. They are recommended for cases of varicose veins, venous insufficiency or duringngo air travel. Although they are widely used and generally considered safe, there are situations where their use can be dangerous. To better understand these dangers, discover in this article the opinion of a physiotherapist on the subject and which models present more risks than others.

Compression stockings: what are the dangers?

When to detect that compression stockings are dangerous?

Prescribed by physiotherapistsgeneral practitioners or other health professionals, compression stockings have been used for many decades by the French. According to some professionals, there are two methods to conclude that such device is dangerous or not. The first is to look at how people who wear them are doing compared to those who don’t. The second is to carry out a theoretical study of the expected mechanical effect of the compression on blood circulation and the whole body.

Wrong prescription or inappropriate use

One of the main reasons why compression stockings can become dangerous is because inappropriate prescription. Each patient has specific compression needs and a healthcare professional must assess these needs before prescribing them. If a patient uses stockings that do not match their medical condition, it can lead to complications such as increased pain or even thromboses. There are also clinical cases contraindicated for wearing this device. These mainly include patients who are allergic to the material, have skin problems, extreme leg deformity or swelling, peripheral neuropathy severe and peripheral arterial disease, specifies the site kinedarbois.fr.

Failure to follow instructions for use

THE support stockings must be worn in accordance with the healthcare professional’s recommendations even if there is general advice on how to wear them. So, ignoring your doctor’s instructions can lead to various problems. For example, do not adjust correctly stockings or wearing an unsuitable model can cause skin irritation or injury to the legs. In case of doubt orside effectsit is essential to ask questions to your provider.

Compression stockings: are there some models more dangerous than others?

From a legal point of view

In France, the manufacturing and marketing of support stockings are standardized, in particular by the Afnor G30 102B standard. This quality standard quantifies the degree of compression of the support stocking at the ankle level. This value can be expressed as millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or in hecto Pascal (hPa), the equivalence between these units being 1.33 mmHg = 1 hPa. On this basis, and according to the compressionwe speak of class 1, 2, 3 or 4 compression stockings. The most frequently used today are those of class 2. From a legal point of view therefore, all models of standardized compression stockings are equal and are not more dangerous than each other. That said, all counterfeit models or which do not meet the standard are dangerous.

Inappropriate size and fit

The choice of a incorrect size is another potential source of danger. A stocking that is too tight can cause pain and impair blood circulation while a model that is too broad will not be effective in its therapeutic role. To have the desired effect and avoid unpleasant side effects or even dangerous, it is essential to wear a size adapted to your ankle.

Skin problems or material allergy

Even if a compression stocking meets the quality standard, it can happen that it causes allergies due to materials used in its manufacture, like latex or certain chemicals found in dyes and finishes. Likewise, some support stockings are warmer or rougher than others, and therefore may be more unpleasant to wear or generate more skin reactions. For people with sensitive skin or a history of skin allergies, it is best to opt for stockings hypoallergenic materials. In the event of irritation or allergic reaction, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to assess the situation and explore other possibilities.