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TED Hose vs Compression Stockings
When you hear the name of TED (Thrombo-Embolic Deterrent) Hose and compression socks you might have the notion that you can wear those socks interchangeably. But both of these products are entirely different in terms of the mechanism they work on and the purpose they provide. Most of the time people use these stockings for specific purposes in making their situation better. One type of socks is used by athletes and people with specific medical issues, while the other is used for other diseases and conditions.
Having the right kind of socks for the right condition improves your condition and increases the healing process to make you feel safe.
What are compression stockings or TED Hose?
In order to truly understand the phenomenon of TED Hose vs Compression Stockings, you must know each of the products separately.
TED Hose
Thrombo-Embolic Deterrent or Ted Hose are the socks that doctors prescribed to patients who are bedridden and are unable to move these patients are also referred to as non-ambulatory. The socks are prescribed to patients to reduce blood clot development because of their non-moving condition. When a person has to spend all the time in bed the legs being unable to move has to bear the blood movement slowing down especially in calves.
Compression Socks
Compression socks are for the patients who are not bedridden and can move freely around these patients are referred to as non-ambulatory patients. Doctors prescribe compression stocks for the patients who have blood flow problems or in medical terms circulatory problems. The most common diseases in which doctors prescribe compression stockings are venous insufficiency, varicose veins, and lymphedema.
Who Should Use Each Type And What Are The Conditions To Use Them?
When we want to understand more about TED Hose vs Compression Stockings regarding their benefits for the people, we must know what are the conditions in which a person or patient can wear them. Doctors prescribed these stocks differently to two main categories according to the ailment and condition of the patients.
TED Hose for Non-ambulatory Patients
Doctors prescribe TED Hose to the patients who are unable to move because of their medical and physical condition. TED Hose works on the lower part of the leg as a calf to prohibit blood clot creation in their leg because of their bed ridden condition.
When patients have to lie down on the bed for some extended time the slowing down bloodstream and non-moving leg, together create a favorable environment for blood clotting. Once the clot has been formed now it can freely move all over the body. If the blood clot reaches the lungs it can cause a pulmonary embolism. In severe cases, the clot can reach the brain and can cause serious medical issues and in worst cases can become fatal for the patient.
Compression Stocking for Ambulatory Patients
Compression stockings are prescribed to the patients who have been suffering from some circulatory problems and blood pooling issues in their legs. These stockings provide ample pressure to the legs and ankle ad inhibit any pool accumulation to the person.
Doctors prescribe these stockings also to some females in their pregnancy. The varying blood pressure level and hormones in the body might cause circulatory problems or blood pooling issues. These socks can be used for six months the maximum time for the patients who are under the constant threat of blood pooling and circulatory issues.
How Each Type Works?
TED Hose vs Compression Stockings also reveals the work and mechanism of these two.
TED Hose
Ted hose prevents clot creation by providing compression to the lower area of the calf. This compression is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) the same term in which we measure our blood pressure. The compression of the TED hose is mostly 20 mmHg or below as per the condition and requirement of the patient. Patients are asked to wear the TED hose in the beginning for three weeks before the doctor prescribe other methods and treatment to reduce the risk of blood clotting or the patients start moving once again.
Compression Stocking
The socks have a higher compression level than the TED hose. The compression level starts from 1 to 20 mmHg and goes all the way up to 60 mmHg. These socks apply maximum pressure on ankles where there is a suitable environment for circulatory problems. These socks prohibit any kind of blood clotting in this area to the patients who have to stand for some extended time on their jobs or some other working conditions.
Major Differences between TED Hose and Compression Stockings
TED Hose vs Compression Stockings is incomplete without understanding the followings:
1. Design and Shape
TED Hose
There are two main designs available in the market. One is knee-high design and the other is thigh-high design. You mostly get to see those in white color. These socks have a small opening at the bottom which is meant there to provide an “inspection hole”. Doctors can monitor the toes from here and would learn about any blood circulation issue in the feet.
TED hose are not meant to wear and walk. These are specifically made for non-ambulatory patients. If you want to walk in them you will have to face certain difficulties like it would slide down your legs. And in a brisk walk, it would simply bunch up and get crusted together at your feet.
Compression socks
Compression socks and stockings can be found in different styles, shapes, and designs. You can have a wide variety in shape ranging from footless or open-toe stockings and for the length you can have thigh-high or knee-high version of stockings.
There are two main categories of compression stocking.
Graduated Compression Stockings
These stockings provide the patient with the highest level of uniform compression in each area. The lower part of the sock provides maximum pressure to your feet and as you move up the pressure continuously recedes in the stockings. Most of the time you need a doctor`s prescription for this kind of stocking.
Nonmedical Support Hosiery
People don’t need any prescription for buying these socks. These are flight socks and elastic support stockings. People mostly use these to provide relief to their aching limbs. This category offers a minimum level of uniform pressure over your legs.
2. Purpose
TED Hose
TED hose are specifically made for immobile patients. The only purpose of these products is to prevent embolism or blood clotting in non-ambulatory patients. These are also used for patients in their post-operative time. When patients have to stick to bed for some extended time there are high chances that the blood might pool down in legs and can coagulate to create clots.
When a clot reaches the lungs or heart it can cause severe damage to the limbs or in worst-case scenarios can be fatal for the patient. These socks are fabricated to save patients from the fatal symptoms of venous thrombosis or thromboembolism (DTV).
Compression Socks
The main purpose of these socks is to provide support to aching limbs and compression to legs for ambulatory patients. These socks are designed to maintain and enhance the blood flow in the legs and lower extremities. These socks prevent clotting in the people who have to keep standing for some extended time on their jobs and other scenarios. When people need aggressive pressure to prevent clotting and support aching limbs doctors prescribed compression stocking for them.
These stockings can help treat the following:
- Lymphedema
- Venous deficiency
- Varicosity
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Venous ulcers
- Venous hypertension
3. Compression level
TED Hose
These stockings are made for non-ambulatory patients that is why there is no substantial variation in compression and design. These socks have a comparatively lower compression level than that o compression stocking.
The normal compression level of the TED Hose range between 8-18mmHg.
Compression Socks
When people need different pressure levels to help them do their job and follow routines without increasing the chances of blood clotting or making the pain severe of their limbs they use compression stockings. These products are fabricated for patients in their normal life. That’s why there are various levels of compressions in these stockings.
The following are the pressure ratings of compression stockings.
- 15-20mmHg (Over-the-Counter).
- 20-30mmHg (Medical Class 1).
- 30-40mmHg (Medical Class 2).
- 40-50mmHg (Medical Class 3).
How to wear TED Hose or Compression Stockings?
TED Hose:
- Put your hand inside the heel pocket of stockings
- Use the hand in heel pocket to turn it inside out
- Place it over heel and foot
- Place your heel in the heel pocket
- Gradually pull socks up
- Pull it to the final location
Compression socks
Choose the time as early in the morning because this is the time when there is the least level of swelling on the foot.
- Sit on a chair
- Hold the toe tip with one hand
- Use the other hand to go inside the socks
- Turn the upper half inside out
- Place your foot in the toe area of socks
- Slide the stockings to your heel
- Place the heel in the exact position of the stocking
- Slide and pull the sock up over your leg
For how much time you should wear your stockings?
TED Hose
When people use TED Hose they are mostly in a non-ambulatory position. The doctor advise the patients to wear these stockings for almost three weeks.
Compression Stockings
People in their normal life use these stockings and they can use them for almost about six months. Doctors advise most of the people not to wear these stockings at night in bed.
Benefits of compression stockings.
- These socks help boost the blood circulation in your legs.
- When you use compression socks on regular basis they support your veins and you don’t have to face any difficulty when you have to stand for some longer time.
- Pilots and other people who had to stay on the job for longer hours these socks prevent blood pool and accumulation in their legs around veins.
- People who had to bear swelling because of some medical condition or those who have to keep standing for extended time end up getting their legs swelled. Compression socks help your legs and save you from swelling.
- Orthostatic hypotension is the situation in which people have to suffer when they stand up the compression socks help you from getting into trouble again.
- Venous ulcers can be prevented by wearing compression socks.
- When the blood accumulates around your veins it can cause deep vein thrombosis and the compression socks are the products that are fabricated and made for the purpose of saving you from this issue.
- Varicose veins can cause severe pain in the legs and compression socks help relieve this pain by using them regularly.
- Lymphatic drainage can cause severe medical issues for people, but compression socks are the most productive effective measures against this issue.
- Compression socks also help people in standing for extended time and staying on their job without any worry of being affected form pain.
Conclusion
Compression socks are the perfect way to save you from circulatory issues or pain-causing from swelling or standing for some longer time at your job. Post-operative situation requires people to wear TED Hose to save them from getting thrombosis or clotting from severe medical issue.
The compression socks on the other hand can be used by athletes or the people who love adventures also get great benefits from compression socks. Over the counter compression socks are the most wonderful products for the sports enthusiast. And the people who are suffering from some medical conditions can get their prescribed compression stocks after visiting their doctors.
The following images will help you in measuring your legs and the exact size which you should purchase for maximum comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which material is more durable in compression socks?
Ans: Opaque material is more durable and lasting in compression socks.
Q: Are sports compression socks made of different material?
Ans: The sports compression socks are made for providing lasting durability and maximum performance. There are also some addition of strong contaminants for making them durable and productive in their endeavors.
Q: Should I use TED hose in place of compression socks in my routine life?
Ans: TED Hose is made specifically for non-ambulant patients. These socks are not meant for walking. If you use them while standing they will end up on your foot. And you will not get any benefit from it.
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References:
- https://comprogear.com/ted-hose-vs-compression-stockings/
- https://medium.com/@damozelle.saevah/learn-which-is-right-for-you-ted-vs-compression-stockings-a10f6104d55d
- https://difference.guru/difference-between-ted-hose-and-compression-stockings/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/compression-socks-benefits
- https://www.copperclothing.com/how-to-wear-compression-socks-easily/
- https://www.legsmart.com/pages/3-easy-steps-find-the-right-compression-sock
