Support Stockings

OK, so I know I am dating myself with this quote.  Seems like that was just a commercial on TV.  Alas, it was 1988, 28 years ago.  I was 15 and apparently really paying attention to car commercials at that time.  Ironically, my first car was a 1973 Chevy Impala.  An Oldsmobile would have been a big step up, but I digress….

When people have venous disease or poor circulation, they need to wear support stockings to encourage blood to flow back to the heart from the legs in a natural way.  The support stockings come in various strengths known as mmHg.  This stands for millimeters of mercury, which is a measure of how much pressure will be exerted on the legs to encourage blood flow back to the heart.  The higher the strength, the more effective they are.  However, in people with arterial disease, we can’t have it too strong or it will cut off healthy blood flow.

IF HOSE ARE OBTAINED WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION THEY GENERAL ARE NOT AS MEDICALLY EFFECTIVE.  In Fairmont you can obtain prescription strength hose at a medical supply store such as Fairmont Home Medical  (Middletown Road) or Rider Pharmacy ( Merchant Street).

Steps to get your stockings….

• Take your prescription to one of the above locations. Call ahead and make sure they will have someone available to measure you.  YOU MAY NEED AN APPOINTMENT!
• Go and have your legs measured in the MORNING when your legs are their smallest.
• They will order your hose. It may take a FEW WEEKS to get them. 
• Many insurance companies will not pay for your hose. However, Dr Rosenberger would be happy to fill out whatever forms needed, if you have a medical problem requiring stockings. 

When I say support stockings, most people sigh.  However, they are not nearly as bad as they used to be.  First of all, there are a number of more cosmetically acceptable options including ones that look like dress socks for men and ones that look like panty hose for women.  Plus, they have super cute fluorescent ones for exercise that are quite stylish for athletes.  The next complaint is that they are hard to get on.  There are a number of devices to aid in applying these.

Support stockings aren’t so bad anymore, AND as I mentioned they are quite popular for young athletes. So wearing them makes you young, cool and hip ( I promise! )  When I ran the Disney Marathon probably 1/4 of the runners were wearing supports stockings.  It’s not your father’s Subaru.  Here’s what’s hiding under my boring black pants at the office…

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