Compression Garments | Material Use for Compression Garments

Compression Garments (Pressure Garments)

Mohammad Zain Ul Abideen
B. Sc. in Textile Engineering, Pakistan.
Cell: +92-321-8894390 
E-mail: davilzain@yahoo.com

1. Definition of Compression Garments:
Compression garments also known as pressure garments. Compression garments are pieces of clothing such as socks, pantyhose, sleeves, etc., that provide support that is especially useful for people who have to stand for long periods, or people with poor circulation. Compression garments are used in diseases.

Compression garments

2. Introduction:
The use of compression garments plays a very important role with in the management of lymphoedema and it is often called the ‘mainstay of treatment’. Although it is mainly used in long term management especially after a course of intensive treatment (including Skin care, Exercise, Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and the application of Multi layer lymphoedema bandaging (MLLB)).It may also be used to control early signs of swelling, thereby minimising future complications. Compression garments include sleeves, gloves, stockings, tights, toe gloves and a variety of specially fitted garments for individual needs.
 

3. History of compression garments:
Compression garments are started being used in human medicine around 400 BC. About half a century ago doctors started using another form of compression garment known as graduated compression stockings. These stockings are used routinely through out hospitals all around the world for post operative surgeries and by air travelers trying to avoid DVT’s (Deep vein thrombosis).In 1970 pressure garments have been used to exert pressure over human body for the treatment of scars caused by burns and post operative conditions. Their use has now got extended to the rapeutic applications for management of venous and lymphatic problems, bone and muscle injury, oedema sensitivity of skin in the affected area and comfact characteristics of these fabric play a critical role in patient compliance and healing, transport of heat, vapour and moisture from the body determine the comfort offered by a garment.
 

4. Material use for pressure garment:
Following material is need for the preparation of compression garments such as Spandex, Latex and nylon filament commonly.

4.1 Spandex:
Spandex is a synthetic fiber, known for its exceptional elasticity. It is a popular choice for athletic compression wear. A popular name brand is “Lycra”. It offers four way stretch is form fitting and whisks moisture away from the body. Spandex should be hand washed or machine washed on delicate cycle and air dried. Compression garments made from Spandex include surgical hose, support hose, unisuits, foundation garments and compression shorts.
 

4.2 Latex:
Natural latex used in compression garments is extracted from the sap found in rubber trees. Garments containing latex can supplement waste reduction by causing the compressed area to sweat and burn excess fatty tissue.
 

4.3 Nylon filament:
Instead of these two nylon 6,6 filament of 210 denier is use for loop formation.

Importance of Compression Garments for Diseases

Importance of Compression Garments for Diseases

Mohammad Zain Ul Abideen
B. Sc. in Textile Engineering, Pakistan.
Cell: +92-321-8894390 
E-mail: davilzain@yahoo.com

Compression Garments:

Compression garments are pieces of clothing, such as socks, pantyhose, sleeves, etc., that provide support that is especially useful for people who have to stand for long periods, or people with poor circulation. The garments can come in varying degrees of compression. The higher degrees require a doctor’s prescription. Compression garments worn on the legs can help prevent deep vein thrombosis and reduce swelling, especially while traveling.

Compression Garments for body shape

Compression sportswear is also worn by some athletes during exercise to prevent chafing and rashes, and post-exercise to ease muscle stiffness and quicken recovery time.

Compression garments enhance your curves, control your figure and reduce clothing size in specific areas of your body. Besides, compression garments are widely used in medical textile.
 

Different diseases for which compression garment are necessary:

 

(1) Tired, aching legs:
Occurs when the blood flow slows down in the legs (can be an indicator of deep vein thrombosis).

Compression Garments for injured leg

 (2) Edema (Mild ankle or foot swelling):
When blood and tissue fluid pool in the legs and feet due to poor circulation.
 

(3) Chronic peripheral venous insufficiency:
Veins cannot pump deoxygenated blood to the heart.
 

(4) Varicose veins:
Saccular and distended veins which can expand considerably and may cause painful venous inflammation. Once developed, will not disappear on its own. The formation of varicose veins is an externally visible sign of venous weakness.
 

(5) Spider Veins:
Spider veins (mild varicosities) the smallest cutaneous blood vessels which shimmer bluish or reddish through the skin.

(6) Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT):
Occurs when blood flow decreases (especially in the lower extremities), causing blood to pool in the legs and leading to blood clot (thrombus) formation.
 

(7) Lymphoedema:
When a body part swells due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid occurring when there is interference with the normal drainage of lymph fluid back into the blood commonly swelling the arm, leg, neck or abdomen.
 

(8) Phlebitis:
Inflammation and clotting in a vein most often a leg vein due to infection, inflammation or trauma. People with varicose veins are more often affected. Inflammation occurs suddenly causing the thrombus to adhere firmly to the vein wall which can clog a superficial vein.
 

(9) Economy Class Syndrome (ECS):
Occurs on long flight due to traveler’s inactivity, gravity and cramped seating which slows down the blood flow through veins.
 

(10) Lipodermatosclerosis:  

Inflammation of subcutaneous fat form of panniculitis.
 

(11)Pregnancy:
Hormones released during pregnancy and the expanding uterus (pressure on the inferior vena cava - the major vein returning blood up to the heart) can affect leg veins.

Compression Garments for pregnancy