If you have large legs, finding compression stockings that fit can be a challenge. For people with wide calves, whether its chronic swelling or genetic, rolling and sliding socks is often a problem. There are solutions for both of these issues. To find the absolute BEST fit, you do need to measure your leg - so take a look at our measuring guide as you get started.

Large or Thick Legs

Most manufacturers make wide-calf styles designed for customers with wide or plus size legs.

Therafirm Core-Spun products are our top pick for larger legs! Let me tell you all the ways they're amazing - they're super soft, easy to get on and come in every compression level. They even have fashionable patterns! Core-Spun Knee High Socks are available for men and women. The largest size will accommodate a 17 inch ankle with up to a 25.5 inch calf. Core-Spun Thigh Highs are available in sizes up to XXXL. They will fit an ankle up to 19″ in circumference, and a thigh up to 39.5″. Core-Spun Thigh Highs are designed for men and women, come in three compression levels and two colors: black and white. Sizes XL-XXXL are offered in the 15-20 and 20-30 mmHg compressions only. You can see where you’d fit on the size chart below:

The largest knee high and thigh high available is in the Sigvaris Secure Line. The calf sizing goes up to 74 cm (slightly over 29″) and the max thigh is 102 cm (about 40″). The Secure products are made to manage strong edema – swelling that does not do well in thinner fabrics like sheer or microfiber. While the fabric is incredibly strong, it is still breathable and comfortable to wear. With its precise sizing, you are guaranteed to get a perfect fit in this product. Available in 20-30, 30-40 and 40-50 mmHg.

The Sigvaris Comfort PLUS is another great option – it’s softer and stretchier than the Secure line. It comes in 20-30 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg. The X-Large size in this product can fit a calf up to 28″ around and they come in short and long lengths.  

If you're looking for something that's more affordable in price, the Allegro Surgical Weight Knee Highs 20-30mmHg are available in Wide-Calf sizes that fit a calf circumference up to 26 inches and an ankle up to 14.5 inches. The Allegro Sheer Thigh Highs are sized up to XXX-Large to fit a 13.5 inch ankle and 32 inch thigh. A customer who purchased the Surgical Weight Knee highs said, “This product fit perfectly and I have really big calves… not too tight – comfortable. Wore them all day!” The Allegro products are a great, affordable option for most customers.

Mediven has the largest selection for wide calves. Extra-Wide Calf sizes are available in Medi Plus, Medi Comfort,  Mediven for Men, Medi Assure and Mediven Forte, 20-30 mmHg and higher. Medi Extra-Wide Calf varies by size, so be sure to check the size chart for the specific stocking you are interested in.

Juzo has begun carrying a line of Dynamic Max products designed for larger legs. Size V will fit an ankle up to 14 inches, a calf up to 26 inches and a thigh up to 37 inches. The Max line is available in 20-30 and 30-40 mmHg in knee highs and thigh highs.

Jobst Full-Calf sizes are designed to fit a calf circumference of 18-24 inches and an ankle up to 14 inches. These sizes are available in Jobst for Men Casual, Jobst ActiveWear, Jobst Relief, and Jobst UltraSheer in 15-20, 20-30, and 30-40 mmHg. Full-Calf sizes are available in Jobst Opaque 20-30 mmHg and higher.

Cone Shaped Legs

When I first heard this term, I thought, “Well, nearly everyone has a cone-shaped leg – the ankle is always smaller than the thigh.” But, that is not the shape we’re speaking of when it comes to socks and stockings. When you measure your legs, many people will find that their knee circumference is smaller than the widest point of the calf. In a cone-shaped leg, the measurements do not decrease at any point as you move up the leg – the calf and knee are about the same measurement.

If your leg is cone-shaped, compression knee highs have a tendency to roll or slide. A sticky, silicone top-band will typically solve this problem. Knee highs with silicone top-bands are available in 15-20, 20-30 and 30-40 mmHg.

Mediven Vitality offers all day comfort through an advanced design. Made with a lanolin blend, they control sweat while strengthening the integrity of the sock. They have also created a silicone top-band where they use sticky silicone fibers that are woven through the band. This creates a more gentle hold against the skin.

Looking for wide-calf sheers? Try the Allegro Essential Sheers. The collection includes quality fabrics as well as a wide, comfortable top-band. The balloon toe feature also promotes comfort while wearing.

If you still have difficulty keeping the silicone top band in place, using a light adhesive at the band is a great option. It Stays is a water-soluble skin glue that is hypo-allergenic and safe for all compression stockings. It’s available in a 2 oz roll-on bottle. A dab or two of It Stays will keep your knee highs and thigh highs up all day.

If you suffer from compression that falls down or is too tight, use the above links to find relief in compression that fits. Keep in mind each brand and style varies in size, so be sure to refer to the size chart on the product page, before purchasing. If you have a question about compression sizes, or anything compression related, comment below. 

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.

The first topic covered the components of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which is the most common non-invasive lymphedema treatment. CDT is the first thing that the National Lymphedema Network recommends. Overall, a lot of people found CDT to be effective but difficult. Nicole Stout noted that using compression garments and taking good care of yourself can reduce the number of sessions needed. “CDT has many components and requires intervention from a skilled therapist. After treatment, patients keep up with CDT on their own,” she added. Complete Decongestive Therapy has four components: Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), compression bandaging, skin care and exercise.

Manual Lymph Drainage is a big part of lymphedema care. It is very time consuming, but can make patients feel a lot better. Depending on the patient, some do their MLD routinely, others use pumps at home, and some don’t practice MLD at all. Using compression garments and pump therapy are very beneficial, as well as practicing deep breathing to help stimulate the lymphatic system. Check out this video on manual lymphatic drainage for more information. Remember to stay hydrated before and after MLD to avoid feeling sick or tired.

There are a lot of compression options you can use to manage lymphedema, including elastic/day garments, bandages and bandage alternatives. One #LymphChat participant shared that a custom Juzo armsleeve and glove work well during the day, and wears the JoViPak armsleeve at night. Compression armsleeves help to prevent and treat lymphedema in the arm, but brands like Juzo, JoViPak, and Solaris offer compression garments to treat lymphedema in other body parts – including the legs and trunk area. lebontadipio offers tons of brands, colors and compression levels to choose from so you can find the perfect garment for you.

Skin care is also extremely important for Complete Decongestive Therapy and preventing infections. You can also wear silver liners, or compression stockings that are made with silver to fight off bacteria and prevent infections. During the day, you can use Medi Day Gel to moisturize your skin. Apply it before you put on your compression garment to make it easier to don. Don’t worry, this gel will not damage your garments like other lotions may. Some moisturizers break down the material due to the lycra in the garment and reduce its effectiveness and breathability, so make sure you use a garment-friendly gel! Medi Day Gel quickly absorbs into your skin to avoid sticky or greasy residue. At night, you can sooth your legs with Medi Night Creme. It also helps to treat venous insufficiency.

The last component of CDT is exercising, which helps to stimulate the lymphatic system. Lymphedema patient, Amy Santiago says that opening up the Lymph channels (neck/collar, armpits, stomach and breathing) help her before starting cardio or training. One way to open up these channels before exercising is with Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). Swimming, yoga and snowshoeing are all great exercises for lymphedema patients.

Towards the end of the #LymphChat, participants discussed surgical treatments for Lymphedema. According to Dr. Jay Granzow, Suction-Assisted Protein Lipectomy (SAPL), Lymphatic Venous Anastomosis (LVA) and Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer (VLNT) are the most effective lymphedema surgeries. SAPL greatly reduces excess volume in chronic lymphedema patients, and is generally performed in later cases when solids accumulate in the leg or arm. Frequently after SAPL, the use of a compression garment allows you to significantly cut down on CDT, or eliminates the need for it altogether. Other patients, usually in the earlier stages of lymphedema, undergo LVA and VLNT due to excess fluid buildup. You can also combine VLNT and LVA after healing from SAPL to treat solid and fluid components. Compression therapy after these procedures are vital.

Dr. Jay Granzow believes that depending on the patient, each type of surgery can be a success, based on the stage they’re in. As Nicole pointed out, “not just any surgeon can perform these surgeries. Special expertise is needed.” There is a limited number of surgeons that are trained in lymphedema surgery. Although most of Dr. Jay Granzow’s patients have had their surgeries covered by insurance, it depends on your insurance plan. To determine if you qualify for surgery, see a surgeon that specializes in these treatments for an evaluation, as well as a lymphedema therapist to figure out what the best treatment options are for you. Click here for more information on SAPL, VLNT and LVA procedures.

On the first Tuesday of every month, the National Lymphedema Network will continue to host a Twitter Chat, so make sure you follow them on Twitter at @lymphnet and include #lymphchat in your tweets to participate! If you think of any other questions that you would like to ask, email [email protected]. The next Twitter Chat will be on Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 about lymphedema and exercise. Don’t miss it!

Additional Resources

• Lymphedema Products
• Find Treatment Options In Your Area
• NLN Educational Videos
• Full transcript of the first #LymphChat
• Mark Goldstein’s Inspirational Story
• The 25th World Congress of Lymphology Conference

Chat with us on Twitter! #LymphChat

lebontadipio | Nicole Stout | Dr. Jay Granzow | National Lymphedema Network

Britta Vander Linden writes an inspiring blog about her experience with lymphedema. She was diagnosed with primary lymphedema when she was 23 years old. Since then, she has juggled a demanding job and keeping up with her blog, Lymphedema Diary.com, in her spare time. She was inspired to start a blog to connect with others struggling with the same illness. Her blog serves as a network for her and her readers to support and comfort one another. “I felt it was time to share my experiences with others in an effort to try to make their life easier. I hoped to make Lymphedema Diary the resource I wish I had when I was first diagnosed.” Each month, thousands of readers spanning across over 100 countries read her blog. Check out her inspiring story and get tips on how to manage lymphedema.

Before she started Lymphedema Diary, Britta turned to local support groups for help, but they didn’t regularly meet and were located at inconvenient places. A lot of them were made up of breast cancer survivors, so she had a hard time connecting with them because she didn’t feel like they were going through the same thing. Once she got involved on social media, she was able to connect with people all around the world to share tips on anything from finding good therapists to lymphedema management.

Lymphedema Diary is full of compression tips in posts like, “A Leg Up: Compression Stocking Tips–What the Doctors Don’t Tell You.” Those with lymphedema use compression garments every day to manage their condition. Britta says, “No matter the difference in type or severity of lymphedema from one person to another, all of us are struggling to deal with compression garments.  I think that’s why the series has been so popular.”

Britta has been a customer with us because we have all “Four P’s,” or what she refers to as the four key things every stocking dealer should have: people, price, perks and policies. Juzo Soft Pantyhose in 30-40mmHg is her go-to compression garment because of how soft the fabric is, and because they don’t look like compression tights. According to her, the fabric is very susceptible to snags, however. Britta also suggests the Juzo Dynamic Pantyhose for exercising because they are much more durable. The downside is that they aren’t as fashion-friendly as the Juzo Soft pantyhose, and the thickness of the fabric makes it harder to get the stockings off.

Some other things that Britta has found that help her to manage her lymphedema are regular exercise, getting a healthy amount of sleep, eating a low-sodium diet and staying hydrated. “If I don’t keep up on any one of these habits, I feel it in my legs. For exercise, I prefer swimming, yoga and anything that gets me lifting the legs up and down. In the winter, I enjoy snowshoeing.” She developed a few techniques that help keep her legs stay happy and healthy during a long day at work.

Check out Britta snowshoeing! This is one of her favorite ways to keep lymph fluid flowing in the winter.

When she was first diagnosed, she underwent six weeks of complete decongestive therapy (CDT). Although she is happy that she did this therapy on both of her legs, the process was exhausting. Between waking up early in the morning and the long commute before work, it wasn’t a good long-term solution. Overall, it was beneficial because she learned a lot about lymphedema care. One thing she doesn’t believe helped her was the acupuncture treatments she tried at about the same time.

There are hundreds of millions of people around the world who are suffering from lymphedema, but there is no cure. LE&RN has done an amazing job over the years in the advocacy, research and education of this condition. You can become a member for only $5 a month and help support the cause year-round. March is a very important month for spreading the word about lymphedema. Many doctors and patients do not know what symptoms to look for in the early stages of lymphedema. LE&RN is working to change this through education. Many people are not aware that the most common cause of lymphedema is cancer treatment. The removal of lymph nodes significantly increases your risk, but there are a couple of things that you can do after cancer treatment that can reduce your risk of lymphedema.

Thanks for reading!