Lymphedema Compression Wraps: Which One Is Best For Me

Presented by Circaid and featuring the Circaid wrap collection of compression garments

(please note that Circaid is a brand of Medi USA)

Why Should I Consider Using A Compression Wrap?

The use of adjustable compression wraps, (commonly referred to as Velcro compression wraps) is becoming a popular alternative choice to traditional compression stockings and arm sleeves for delivering compression therapy for venous health and edema conditions such as lymphedema and lipedema. Clinicians and patients are choosing to use adjustable compression wraps for legs or an arm compression wrap over traditional, graduated compression socks and arm sleeves for the following reasons:

Deliver adjustable compression for use during the day when more compression is needed and at night when less compression is needed while laying down or at rest.
Compression wraps provide a higher containment level due to their inelastic nature which helps hold and even reduce limb volume for patients with lymphedema and lipedema.
These adjustable lymphedema wraps are easy to apply with their use of individual straps that are tightened to conform to the specific body contour and size verses trying to fit your individual size in to pre-sized, off-the-shelf compression stockings and arm sleeves.
Many of these lymphedema wraps are available with different components to fit various anatomical areas that require compression. To treat lymphedema in legs, there are several compression wraps for legs:

Thigh compression wrap
Knee compression wrap
Calf compression wrap
Ankle compression wrap
Foot compression wrap

For lymphedema in the arm and hand lymphedema, you can select from:

Arm compression wrap
Compression wrap gloves
Compression wrap gauntlet

When wrapping for lymphedema, these adjustable compression garments can be used as an edema reduction tool during lymphedema decongestive treatment, saving application time verses the use of compression bandages, creating patience independence early in the treatment phase, and helping to make efficient use of clinic time.

Which Is Better For Me: A Traditional Compression Garment Or A Compression Wrap?

When trying to decide whether a traditional compression garment (leg compression sleeve or compression sleeves for arm) or a lymphedema compression wrap would be best suited for your personal needs, you should start with the indications that you are treating. For example, do you have varicose veins, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), or late-stage lymphedema? Alternatively, are you trying to treat mild lymphedema, severe lymphedema, lymphedema of the legs, lymphedema in the arm, etc. when wrapping for lymphedema? All of these indications should be considered when selecting your lymphedema products.

Here are some general guidelines that should be used when trying to decide what lymphedema products best meets your specific needs, when choosing between compression wraps (lymphedema wraps) and traditional compression socks:

Spider or varicose veins with little swelling or edema – typically compression stockings from the line of Mediven compression socks, such as the Mediven Comfort line, is ideal for these applications.
DVT’s or advanced vein disease with edema – more aggressive or stiffer compression socks with good containment levels, like the Mediven Plus are available within the line up of Mediven compression stockings and are a good application.
Phlebolymphedema or venous leg ulcers – the Circaid Juxtalite or Circaid Juxtalite HD are great compression wraps for legs to use during treatment and post treatment due to the juxtaposed straps that can easily be applied over primary wound dressings.
Reduction phase of lymphedema – the Circaid Reduction Kit series of compression wraps for legs and arm compression wraps are ideal for lymphedema wrapping and can be trimmed to fit as the volume in the extremity reduces. This line of Circaid wraps also includes a compression vest and a head & neck compression wrap.
Post-reduction phase of lymphedema treatment – the Circaid Juxtafit product line of compression wraps are the ideal solution as you learn to self-manage your volume fluctuations. The ability to adjust your compression wrap to the desired fit and compression level is due to the Juxtafit Circaid compression wrap having a +/- 10% of size adjustability.
Management of lymphedema at night or during periods of rest – the Circaid Profile foam compression garments are recommended due to the dense, engineered foam for quality containment and the use of Brrr® outer-layer material that helps keep you cool and comfortable. If you are looking for nighttime compression sleeve, you can choose either a Profile leg sleeve or arm sleeve.

Other factors to consider when you are selecting your compression garments and compression wraps include:

Lifestyle or job requirements
Activity levels
Hand/finger dexterity or ability to apply products
Economic level

Factors such as these may impact your selection, if for example, you prefer the “look” of the garment over functionality, or how the garment performs during movement, if that is important to you. Additionally, your physical ability to apply a compression garment without assistance is an important factor to consider. In cases where you may lack the ability to apply a compression stocking or arm sleeve, a compression wrap may be a better alternative. Finally, the cost of your compression garments is always a factor to consider, especially if you are on a fixed-income. Most manufacturers offer do differing grades of garments within their product line-up, and you should be able to find something that meets your personal needs as well as your pocket book. If you are in a position to do so, it would be good to have a full wardrobe of compression garments which would enable you to mix and match among your garments. As Sandra Shaw, a pioneer of the adjustable compression wrap market, once said, “Compression needs to be a part of one’s life, but it should not control one’s life.”

What Compression Wrap Alternatives Are Available?

As the adjustable compression wrap market has proliferated, so has the number of brands and lymphedema wraps. Product options and competition is always good to drive innovation and keep costs manageable. The brands available from the compression industry leaders include:

Circaid by Medi USA
FarrowWrap by Jobst (Essity)
Juzo compression wraps (Juzo)
Compreflex by Sigvaris
ReadyWrap and Tribute Wrap by Solaris

Other products are available from Therafirm and Thuasne, such as Mobiderm compression garments.

Final Considerations When Selecting Your Compression Garment

Is the product FDA cleared – since we are treating a medical condition, this should be a minimum standard when making your selection, as some products used in athletics or listed on Amazon are usually not an appropriate application for treatment and may not come from a trustworthy source, who may “disappear” once the sale has been made.

Quality of product – does the manufacturer have quality control certifications such as ISO, which ensures the manufacturer has processes in place to provide product that are made with consistent quality, and if there is a problem, have an established process to rectify the issue swiftly.

Clinician recommended – trust the professionals who work with these compression garments. Listen to what key opinion leaders recommend and what brands are evaluated clinically.

Core features of the compression garment -

Measurable compression: this is the dosage level prescribed by a clinician or therapist, and represents the amount of pressure that the compression garment provides (i.e., how tight the garment feels) and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The most common pressure ranges provided by compression garments are 15-20 mmHg, 20-30 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg. To ensure that you get the correct amount of compression, select a compression garment with stated levels of pressure, or compression wraps with a compression measuring system.
Containment level: this refers to the “hold” that the compression garment provides. Unlike compression (pressure exerted on your limb), containment refers to pressure that your limb exerts back onto the compression garment. The more severe your condition is, the more aggressive or stiffer your compression garment needs to be.
Adjustability: compression wraps are made from inelastic material. During ambulation or movement, the compression garment will slip or migrate. Additionally, when wearing the garment, limb volume will decrease. The ability to instantly adjust the garment to maintain the desired compression and fit are essential.
Value: when considering value, you should think about how long your compression garment is expected to last, in relation to how much you are paying for it, as well as how much you intend to wear it. Also, think about fit guarantees and return privileges to ensure that you are not stuck with a poorly fitting garment. Finally, what warranty does the manufacturer offer which protects you from having to live with a defective item.

In conclusion, the Circaid collection of compression wraps, leg sleeves, arm sleeves and compression socks from Medi USA “check all the boxes” when it comes to your final purchase considerations. As the pioneer of adjustable compression wraps, Circaid has a broad product line that has evolved with new technology. Additionally, Circaid wraps are easily the most clinically reviewed products in this segment for wrapping for lymphedema, with studies conducted around the globe. Lastly, Circaid compression wraps are backed by industry-leading warrantees and guarantees to ensure your satisfaction.

Please click here to view the Circaid compression wrap and compression sleeve product selection guide to help you identify and select the appropriate compression garment for your individual situation and needs.