Stocking donners and doffers are excellent accessories, but let’s take a look at the items outside of that category that our customers love.

First is the It Stays Body Adhesive, a gentle roll-on body adhesive that takes the place of a garter belt or silicone band to keep your stockings and sleeves in place all day. You simply roll it on to skin and press the article in place.It Stays washes off with water and is pliable so it moves with your skin. Fun fact: It Stays is the number one choice for beauty pageant contestants to keep swimsuit bottoms in place during judging. The uses go beyond pageants and compression garments, it can be used for shoulder straps, bra straps, wigs, toupees, theatrical make-up devices and more!

Customer reviews are plentiful and positive. One reviewer wrote:

“It's wonderful. I wear super support hose and with your product they last much longer and stay up much better. Thank you.”

Next is the Compression Assist Donning Aide, since this isn’t a traditional donning tool and it does so much more, I’m mentioning it here. This hypoallergenic spray does make getting your compression stockings on a breeze, but it also allows you to easily adjust and remove your stockings, it reduces wrinkling/creasing and increases wearing comfort.

Another fan favorite is ALPS Fitting Lotion. This lotion helps your stockings glide on but has an added bonus, it protects sensitive skin, makes dry skin feel silky smooth and it helps prevent garments from snagging. It’s made from 100% silicone and contains no perfumes or dyes. Additionally, it isn’t just for compression, it is used with prosthetic's as well.

Customers have said:

“For anyone wearing compression stockings-this is a God sent product. It makes putting the garments on much easier”

“Use with leg prosthesis. By using lotion prior to putting on leg prosthesis-insures comfort. Highly recommend”

Wearing compression garments on a regular basis can really dry out your skin, making legs and arms flaky and itchy. Using regular lotions can make it difficult to put your compression garments on and can reduce the lifespan of the fabric. lebontadipio offers a selection of compression-friendly lotions and creams that keep your skin soft and smooth and won’t harm your compression stockings or sleeves. Lymphoderm Body Lotion is an all natural, pH balancing lotion that softens skin, soothes irritation and is ideal for those with lymphedema.

Take a look at the full selection of skin care products offered by lebontadipio.

If you wear bandages regularly, the EZ-Roller Bandage Roller is for you. This product makes it easy to quickly re-roll elastic and non-elastic bandages, while being lightweight and portable. The tension can be easily adjusted, it works with any size bandage, and the handle can be switched to accommodate right or left handed users. The Lohmann & Rauscher Bandage Roller is very easy to use and is great for those who regularly wash and re-use bandages. It comes with a bracket for mounting on any flat surface, when not in use it can be taken out of the bracket holder and stored for next time.

If you prefer to wash your compression hosiery and other delicates in the washing machine, the Juzo Laundry Bag is perfect for you. Using a laundry bag is an inexpensive way to prevent snags, tangling and stretching. The flow-thru mesh bag lets water circulate freely for through cleaning. A zipper pull pocket prevents the zipper pull from catching on other items in the wash. This product has abundant reviews from happy customers.

lebontadipio offers a range of accessories designed to put it on, hold it up, take it off, wash it and more. We’re sure you will find something to make your life easier and better. Let us know in the comments which of our accessories is your favorite. If you need help finding the right one for you, our friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives are here to help.

First things first, comfortable shoes are a must. Forget the cute flats with the pointy toes and ditch the heels for shoes with arch support. Invest in shoes that provide shock absorption and stability to keep your ankles from rolling. Shoes with an open toe box help to alleviate pressure. You can also use shoe inserts for comfort and protection. If you have arthritis in your ankles, start wearing shoes that protect your heel and prevent you from rolling your foot inward.

A lot of the time, injury can be a factor in developing arthritis. When you sprain your ankle, the ligaments are stretched. Depending on how bad the strain is, the ligament fibers can be damaged or even completely torn. Ankle fractures may also contribute to arthritis. To prevent ankle pain and injury, take it easy instead of pushing yourself. If you are injured, make sure to rest, apply ice, keep the limb elevated and wear compression socks to reduce swelling. If you do not experience swelling, apply heat to relieve soreness.

Wear ankle braces or compression socks to reduce ankle swelling, joint stiffness and pain. If you have swollen, weak or injured ankles, try wearing an ankle brace or wrap. Choose from top of the line ankle braces and wraps by manufacturers like Therafirm, Juzo, Mediven, Solidea and more to find the best product for your condition. If your arthritis makes it hard for you to get your compression stockings on, consider trying the Sigvaris Select Comfort line. These socks are designed for easy donning, which is ideal for those with arthritis or limited hand strength. Sigvaris Select Comfort includes knee highs, thigh highs and pantyhose for men and women in 20-30mmHg and 30-40mmHg compression levels. You can also use the Jobst Stocking Donner to get your socks on without the hassle. This is ideal for those who have a hard time bending at the waist or have a hard time getting the sock on their foot. If you have arthritis in other areas of the body, here are some other awesome products for all types of arthritis. The Therall products are very popular because they use heat to provide soothing relief to painful areas.

Try to walk on flat, even ground instead of gravel or sand to avoid ankle pain or injuries. When you are sitting down, keep your feet flat or use a foot rest. Sitting with your feet pointed behind you or crossing them is bad for your ankles because it puts pressure on them, which can cause stiffness and discomfort. It is important to strengthen your ankles with exercises. Use a resistance band to strengthen your shin and foot muscles, which support your ankles for stability. You can also go for a swim to strengthen your ankle muscles without experiencing as much pain.

Short stretch bandaging or wrapping is often worn at night by individuals who have lymphedema or chronic edema. This type of compression is very mild when resting. The bandage only provides resistance and significant compression when the underlying muscles are active and pushing against the bandage.

Tribute by Solaris Medical is specifically designed for nighttime wear. Tribute garments can be worn on any part of the body and each garment is custom made. The outer layer is made of a stretchy fabric that provides compression. The interior is filled with foam chips that gently massage the tissues while you sleep, which helps release interstitial fluids and reduce swelling. Tribute garments are very comfortable so they won’t interfere with your sleep, and the fabric is specially treated to remove moisture and help keep you cool.

BiaCare makes a similar line of nighttime garments. Their foam and chip sleeves can be worn at night. Both are available in ready-to-wear sizes and custom. In combination with an oversleeve, the foam sleeve provides 10-15mmHg and the chip 15-20mmHg.

Biacare’s CompreFit system for legs, can also be worn at night. CompreFit mimics the compression of short stretch bandaging, but is much easier to put on and take off. The calf unit, which includes a boot for the foot, provides compression up to the knee. A thigh unit can be added to provide compression from foot to groin.

Similarly, Circaid JuxtaFit and JuxtaLite products can be worn round the clock. Before beginning any nighttime compression regimen, be sure to consult with your doctor or therapist.

Pete@lebontadipio

There is one exception in the current Medicare policy. Coverage may be provided if you are being treated by a doctor for a venous statis ulcer on your leg and have a prescription from your Doctor for compression stockings and liners for this condition. lebontadipio sells several ulcer care stockings including the Jobst UlcerCare with Zipper and Mediven Dual Layer Stocking System. Here’s the nitty gritty from Medicare:

The beneficiary must have an open venous stasis ulcer that has been treated by a physician or other healthcare professional requiring medically necessary debridement. The gradient stocking must be proven to deliver compression greater than 30 mm Hg. and less than 50 mmHg. When a covered gradient compression stocking is provided to a patient with an open venous stasis ulcer, the modifier AW (item furnished in conjunction with a surgical dressing) must be appended or the claim will be denied as a non-covered service. Gradient compression stockings are non-covered for the following conditions: Venous insufficiency without stasis ulcers
Prevention of stasis ulcers

The Lymphedema Diagnosis and Therapy Cost Saving Act of 2010 (HR4662) was introduced in the House of Representatives by North Carolina Congressman Larry Kissell. This is a bi-partisan effort and currently has 58 co-sponsors in the House. This bill would establish a new benefit category to cover the compression bandages, compression garments and compression devices used in the treatment of lymphedema. The Medicare Evidence Development Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) concluded at their meeting last November that existing evidence gives reasonable confidence that use of compression bandage systems and compression garments improve the health of lymphedema patients.

You can read a summary or a the entire bill.

You can help get this bill passed by emailing or phoning your congressperson.

Pete@lebontadipio
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