FAQs

What is the difference between support hosiery and compression hosiery?

Although support hosiery are often assumed to be the same as compression hosiery, this assumption is incorrect. Support and compression hosiery differ in a number of important regards.

Medical - support stockings are mainly intended to prevent venous complaints. In contrast to compression stockings, support hosiery exerts lesser pressure on the veins. Its compression pressure range is no more than 21 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) whilst compression stockings, exert greater pressure with a measurement graded above 21mmHg. Consequently, support hosiery are not a medical aid and are not prescribed by a physician.

Use - compression and support hosiery are most commonly worn to alleviate pain in the legs usually caused by poor blood circulation. Although the products function similarly, their indication differ in that compression hosiery treats more serious medical conditions such as lymphoedema, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency and post-phlebitic syndrome. Support hosiery, on the other hand, treats milder conditions or worn as a preventative measure to counteract effects of heavy legs or water retention. As such, support hosiery do not require prescription and are available over the counter or right on this site! Support hosiery have also been shown to help in the sports arena.


How do you put on support stockings?

  1. Turn sock inside out as far down as the heel. The foot part should remain inside the sock. Stretch the opening for the foot apart with both thumbs/hands and pull the sock over the foot up to the heel.
  2. a) Then turn over the sock section which has been turned inside out by pulling it up or pushing in the leg. This will produce a double crease in the middle of the foot. b) Reach into the double crease with two fingers and lift the sock over the heel.

  3. Hold the sock with both hands and place it in the lower keg by turning it up in stages without snagging. Smooth any ceases which are formed by pulling upwards. Ideally put the socks on after you get up in the morning. Make sure that there are no creases, that the rows of stitches are straight and that the toes are not constricted. Do not turn the sock fully inside out in order to prevent any constriction. Wearing regularly is recommended. 

  4. It is very important that you roll the stockings up rather than yank them up. Video will follow shortly here.

Can I place my stockings in the spin cycle of my washing machine?

All hosiery and sports socks can be placed in the spin cycle. We recommend that you use the gentle cycle up to 100 deg F (40 °C), a laundry detergent for delicate fabrics, and no fabric softener. The spin cycle will be somewhat gentler when using the gentle cycle. Fabric softener relaxes the fibres and reduces the compression a little. Also, fabric conditioner clings to the textiles making it smell nice, however it all reduces the textiles' ability to wick moisture from the body.


What is an orthosis?

Put simply, an orthosis is a brace, splint, or other artificial external device serving to support the limbs or spine or to prevent or assist relative movement. On our website, we usually refer to them as a brace because it is bracing your body.


What is the difference between a bandage and a brace?

Whether a bandage or a brace is used, depends on the clinical symptoms.
Braces are constructed mainly from stable and, in part, rigid materials. They are intended to place and hold parts of your body in defined postures, to relieve parts of your musculoskeletal system and to guide, limit or prevent joint movements.
Bandages, on the other hand, are comprised of mainly elastic or textile materials. They enclose parts of the body and exert a compressive pressure on the surface of the skin. 


Why are there so many different sizes between the products?

Every textile whether it is a wool, cotton, silk, polyamide has a different stretch parameter. The products that we sell give you a consistent pressure on your leg which is degressive from the ankle upwards. In order to make sure that we can fit as many legs as possible and a give a consistent pressure, our size guides take into account the stretch parameters of the different textiles and your leg size.