peripheral edema Archives - Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain https://www.bioped.com/tag/peripheral-edema/ Custom Orthotics, Footcare, Compression and Bracing Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:44:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://www.bioped.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-favismall-32x32.png peripheral edema Archives - Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain https://www.bioped.com/tag/peripheral-edema/ 32 32 How does compression work? https://www.bioped.com/blog/how-does-compression-socks-work/ Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:44:49 +0000 https://www.bioped.com/?post_type=blog&p=25916 Compression socks may sound like they are just for medical patients or athletes, but they offer benefits to everyday women and men, to improve their comfort and mobility in daily life. Whether you are on your feet all day, experiencing edema (swelling), or have vein deficiencies, compression garments can make a noticeable difference. Compression garments are not just for your grandmother, they are for anyone who experiences tired, achy legs at the end of the day or have jobs requiring them to travel, stand or sit for long periods of time.

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]]> Compression socks may sound like they are just for medical patients or athletes, but they offer benefits to everyday women and men, to improve their comfort and mobility in daily life. Whether you are on your feet all day, experiencing edema (swelling), or have vein deficiencies, compression garments can make a noticeable difference. Compression garments are not just for your grandmother, they are for anyone who experiences tired, achy legs at the end of the day or have jobs requiring them to travel, stand or sit for long periods of time.

What are Compression Socks?

Veins are under no pressure and often are working against gravity. For them to return blood from the feet to the heart they use several different methods, including the calf muscle pump and valves. The valves prevent back flow of blood, and the muscles push the blood up. When the veins become weak, the blood and fluid pools in the lower part of the body causing ‘edema’ (swelling), pain, and discomfort.

Compression socks can help move the blood through the veins as they are designed with a pressure gradient system measured in mmHg. The higher the compression level in mmHg, the more support you will receive. Compression socks have the most compression (tightest) at the ankle (to push the blood through the veins and up towards the heart) and have minimal compression at the top. There are different levels of compression, as well as a variety of styles, such as:

Levels of Compression

  • 15-20 mmHg, which is considered off the shelf compression and does not require a prescription
  • 20-30 mmHg, which is considered medical grade compression and requires a prescription. This is the most common compression level.
  • Above 30 mmHg is medical grade and will require a prescription.

Styles

  • Knee high – most common style, they end just before the knee
  • Thigh high – they end at the upper-thigh
  • Full/ panty hose – they go up to the waist
  • Maternity – they are for pregnant women and are full length, but they have no compression on the belly

Are Compression socks for women only? The answer is no.

Although everyone could benefit from the use of compression, women tend to experience more of the common causes of vein deficiencies and therefore would greatly benefit from the use of compression garments. However, man or woman, if you are suffering from the following, getting fitted for compression will likely be helpful for you:

  • Edema: Also known as swelling (https://www.bioped.com/bioped-treatments/leg-pain-posterior/), occurs when fluid gets trapped in the body. Usually swelling happens in the feet and lower legs because they are the furthest from the heart. Often caused from sitting or standing for long periods of time, someone with circulatory/heart conditions, or with a pregnancy will experience this more. During pregnancy there is an increase of pressure put on the lower extremities, especially during the last few months. Many women experience foot and leg edema and could benefit from the use of daily compression garments to ease their discomfort from swelling.
  • Varicose Veins: These are damaged veins that appear large, bulging and hard on the surface of the skin. They will increase the pressure in the legs and cause pooling of the blood. Women are more likely to get varicose veins due to hormonal reasons, especially in pregnancy. Symptoms of varicose veins can be:
    • Itchiness
    • Skin discoloration
    • Bulging veins
    • Feeling of heaviness in your legs
    • Aching or cramping of legs
  • Spider Veins: They are damaged small veins and typically do not cause any symptoms. They get their name due to the size of the blood vessels that are involved and that they take on a dark red/ purple colour, appearing web like. Spider veins are mostly cosmetic, and affect women more than men, especially during pregnancy. To avoid getting spider veins, it is recommended to wear compression garments especially during the last few months of pregnancy.
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT: This is a condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins, usually in the leg. A clot can form when the vein(s) become damaged, or blood flow slows down or stops. There can be serious consequences if the blood clot breaks free and travels through the bloodstream. It can be fatal if it travels to the brain, lungs, or heart. Even if the blood clot does not break free it can cause permanent damage to the valves in the vein and cause pain, swelling and leg soreness. Often DVTs are caused from travel, injury or surgery and therefore, to prevent a clot from forming, compression garments are often prescribed to keep the blood flow moving.

Compression socks can be a simple, non-invasive way to enhance comfort, improve mobility, and reduce swelling so that you can do more of the things you love throughout the day. Whether you are looking for extra support due to standing or sitting all day or need specific solutions for conditions like varicose veins or even pregnancy, there are options available for everyone. If you are unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to consult a BioPed Clinician for personalized advice. At BioPed, our staff are compression fit certified!

Book your complimentary Assessment with BioPed today!

At BioPed, we keep you moving. Our Pedorthists, Chiropodists, and Advanced Footcare Nurses work closely together to ensure that you receive the best solution and care possible when preventing or treating any foot, ankle, or leg condition.

Since 1981 BioPed Footcare & Orthotics has proudly helped more than 1 million Canadians. We provide custom orthotic solutions, custom compression solutions, fitted bracing solutions, fitted and custom footwear, and medical footcare solutions, including surgical and non-surgical skin and nail care.

If you are suffering with any kind of lower limb or foot pain, book an assessment today and get back to doing more of the things you love in life! Start by finding your local Clinic here!

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]]> Everything you need to know about swelling in your legs https://www.bioped.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-swelling-in-your-legs/ Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:45:44 +0000 https://www.bioped.com/?post_type=blogs&p=22221 Don’t let leg swelling get in the way of doing the things you love.

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Don’t let leg swelling get in the way of doing the things you love. Read below to find out everything you need to know about swelling in the legs and how we can help you do more.

Swelling in the legs, also known as peripheral edema, is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. It occurs when excess fluid builds up in the tissues of the legs, causing them to become swollen and sometimes painful. There are many potential causes of leg swelling, from underlying medical conditions to lifestyle factors, and it is important to identify the root cause to effectively manage the symptoms.

Causes of leg swelling

The various factors that can contribute to leg swelling include:

  1. Prolonged sitting or standing: Sitting or standing for long periods of time can cause fluid to pool in the legs, leading to swelling.
  2. Injury: A sprained ankle or other leg injury can cause swelling in the affected area.
  3. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes, increased blood volume and pressure from the baby on the veins returning blood from the legs during pregnancy can all cause swelling in the legs.
  4. Heart, kidney or liver disease: Certain medical conditions can cause fluid retention, leading to leg swelling.
  5. Blood clots: A blood clot in the leg can cause swelling and pain.
  6. Medications: Some medications, such as high blood pressure medication and steroids, can cause leg swelling as a side effect.

Treatment of leg swelling

The treatment for leg swelling will depend on the underlying cause. In some cases, lifestyle changes can be effective in managing the symptoms, such as:

  1. Elevating the legs: Raising the legs above heart level can help to reduce swelling.
  2. Exercise: Regular exercise can improve circulation and reduce fluid buildup in the legs.
  3. Compression socks: Wearing compression stockings can help to reduce swelling and improve circulation. This is because compression socks use a graduated compression gradient (tightest at the bottom, loose at the top), to promote proper blood flow and circulation.

In some cases, medications may be necessary to manage the symptoms, such as diuretics to help reduce fluid retention. If the swelling is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as heart or kidney disease, treating the underlying condition is the most effective way to manage the symptoms.

When to see a doctor

In most cases, leg swelling is not a serious condition and can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes or compression socks. However, there are some situations where medical attention is necessary. You should see a doctor for any leg swelling that you experience but consider an urgent care/emergency room visit if you experience:

  • Sudden or severe leg swelling
  • Swelling in one leg only
  • Redness or warmth in the affected area
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain

These symptoms may indicate a blood clot or other serious medical conditions, and prompt medical attention is necessary.

Preventing leg swelling

Nobody likes when their legs swell, especially if there is pain or achiness. Thankfully there are a lot of easy ways to target leg swelling and get those legs feeling better quickly!

  • Regular exercise
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing
  • Elevating the legs when sitting or sleeping
  • Wearing comfortable shoes that fit properly
  • Avoiding too much salt in your diet

It is important to identify the underlying cause to effectively manage the symptoms. Lifestyle changes and medications can be effective in managing the symptoms, and in some cases, medical attention may be necessary. By taking steps to prevent leg swelling and seeking prompt medical attention, when necessary, you can help to manage this condition effectively.

Should I book an appointment?

If you’re suffering from lower limb edema or general lower limb pain, let us know and book an appointment today! At BioPed Footcare, we are here for you. Meet with one of BioPed’s lower limb clinicians to see how you can keep your feet healthy or how to rehabilitate an injury!

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