Why the brand's sizing chart for compression garments is more important than your usual clothing size.

When purchasing medical compression hosiery, many rely on familiar sizing (S, M, L). However, for medical products, these parameters are not decisive. A mistake in size selection can lead to stockings slipping, constricting the leg, or, more dangerously, disrupting blood flow instead of normalizing it.

Understanding how compression works helps avoid unnecessary expenses and ensures proper support for the vessels.

Features of medical hosiery

Unlike regular clothing, which aims to fit comfortably against the body, compression products create strictly measured distributed pressure. This pressure is measured in mmHg and is distributed unevenly along the leg: maximum at the ankle (100%) and gradually decreasing towards the thigh (up to 30%).

If a product is chosen based on clothing size, the physiological pressure gradient is disrupted. Too loose hosiery does not provide the necessary effect, while tight hosiery can cause a tourniquet effect, leading to swelling and discomfort.

Main mistakes when choosing size

• •Relying on height and weight. These parameters only provide an approximate idea. Two people with the same height and weight may have different calf and thigh circumferences, which is critical for selecting stockings.
• •Using old measurements. The anatomical parameters of the legs can change. Measurements should be taken anew before each purchase.
• •Measuring in the afternoon. By evening, legs often swell, which will result in inflated measurements. As a result, the purchased product may be too loose in the morning when the leg has its natural volume.
• •Using universal size charts. Each brand has its own sizing grid. Size M from one manufacturer may correspond to size L from another.

How to take measurements correctly

To accurately select stockings, it is necessary to measure:

• 1. Ankle circumference (at the narrowest point above the ankle bone).
• 2. Calf circumference (at the widest part of the calf muscle).
• 3. Thigh circumference (5 cm below the groin or 25–30 cm above the knee).
• 4. Length of the leg from the heel to the groin.

Measurements should be taken in the morning, immediately after waking up, before any daytime swelling occurs. The measuring tape should fit snugly against the skin but not compress the tissues.

The result of correctly selecting the size of compression hosiery.

A correctly selected product according to the brand's sizing grid:

• •fits snugly and evenly against the leg without forming wrinkles;
• •does not slip during movement and does not require constant readjustment;
• •does not cause numbness or painful sensations at the points where the elastic bands are fixed;
• •effectively supports the veins, reducing fatigue and swelling.

A correct approach to measurements guarantees that medical hosiery will perform its main function: to maintain the health of your legs.

The company "Ekoten" has been producing medical compression hosiery for over 17 years. All products have Registration Certificates and are included in the "Register of Russian Industrial Products." The size grid of "Ekoten" products includes sizes for different thigh widths, including wide ones, and different leg lengths. In the product catalog, you can find instructions on how to correctly determine your size. Any decisions regarding the appointment of compression products are made exclusively by the attending physician. This material is for informational purposes only.