My cardiologist has recommended full leg (over the knee) compression socks. I'd rather do full leg sleeves without the foot, and don't want full pants.

Amazon et. al. are a welter of brands from $5.00/pair to $175.00/pair and I am completely at sea.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent quality, reasonably priced sock or sleeve brand that will provide decent support?

I don't think I am in these for the rest of my life; I'm probably only in them for the next 6-10 months due to complications from Covid/afib, so I'm not really interested in the super expensive versions, even if they are the best or longest lasting.

Thanks for your help.

I wear tights / spats for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Spandex type conpression pants. x2 good budget brands I've grabbed off Amazon have been Sanabul & Lafroi. Both around the $20 - $25 mark and have 100s of wear / washes on them. Lafroi stitching is slightly better but the Sanabul are slightly more comfortable.

Only experience I have with them. So not sure if it's applicable to your application.

I was in compression socks for 6 months after my Open Heart Surgery so I am familiar with just how tight they are. Drop the pressure by about 20% and what you have are UnderArmor Coldgear Leggings (think Longjohns). I bought these specifically for extra warmth when shooting Skeet and they work well for that. But they are a fair bit of work to get on and after spending 4 hours in them when I got home I wanted them off ASAP. Cost from the UnderArmor web site was 55.00 per pair and I would suggest that you try a pair out.

As for sizing, I am 5'10" with a 30 inch inseam and weight in at 150 lbs. The size I have is the Medium and the length is regular. I will also note the shipping was fee because my order was over 100 dollars. Spend some time on the web site and it will be quite easy to purchase enough product to hit that 100 dollar mark. One of their items I think is a must have is their Thinsulate gloves, thin enough that manipulating 410 shot shells with easy and surprisingly warm.

I'm a big fan of Incrediwear sleeves. I wore them after injuries to both knees and they definitely helped in the recovery process.
I'm not sure if there's a difference in heart-health compression needs vs injury/support compression but, these guys are one of the leaders in pro-sports medical rooms despite not having a license from the pro leagues.

My neighbors son played college D2 and pro basketball for several years in Europe, he said his go to for any type of leg or arm sleeves were from McDavid.

https://www.mcdavidusa.com/pro...hex-leg-sleeves-pair

They look reasonably priced, and the bonus is you'd be able to ball downtown with the boys... But, if hanging off the rim like Lee Brawn isn't your thing he also said Incrediwear was the other go-to.

Link Incrediwear Sleeve

I had my right hip 2015, and right knee 2022 replaced. I ended up getting a blood clot post knee surgery. I was on Eliquis for about 6 months and had compression socks prescribed. I wear thigh high Jobst 20 - 30 mmHg compression socks at least 3 - 5 times a week for 6 hours a day. My leg fills with fluid otherwise. It's slowly getting better but will probably end up wearing them forever. Your Dr. should recommend socks for you or set up an appointment with the correct specialist to determine what you need. I paid roughly $360 for 4 pairs, after insurance, through my provider. It may not apply to you, but my insurance would only cover a certain compression rated sock. It was comically frustrating to get these things. If I had to do it over I would have just purchased my own. YMMV

On another note, if you are dumb like me and just try to manhandle them on you will end up ripping them.

Do what the cardio suggested. Blood clots and paying for Xarelto or Eliquis{400 bucks for 3 months} is not something you want to do. You get used to compression stockings. Nurses wear them a lot. You have to practice putting them on. There is a simple technique{see Youtube}

^^^^^ ZSMICHAEL, I'm curious: Can regular, vigorous leg exercise eventually obviate the need for compression socks, much less the drugs?

I'm thinking squats, calf raises, leg curls, leg extensions, walking, etc. Something that regularly gets the blood moving and improves the CV system in legs and feet.

It can help, but if your doc is suggsting compression socks I would follow his advice. Walking regularly is particularly good.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
It can help, but if your doc is suggsting compression socks I would follow his advice.

Oh, I would. I did, when a compression sock was prescribed for my right leg following arthroscopic knee surgery.

Artie, did the doc specify which level of compression?

Mine are for preventing deep vein thrombosis on long international flights, are 15-20 mm Hg, and are made by Sigvaris. I went to a mom & pop pharmacist and they helped size mine (length, diameter and pressure). Sigvaris' Amazon store says:

15-20 mm Hg is for everyday relief for tired, achy, swollen legs.

20-30 mm Hg is for minor to moderate medical leg conditions.

30-40 mm Hg is for moderate to severe medical leg conditions.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

No. No mmHg specified. I have asymptomatic afib and hypertension.

Almost no edema, but enough to justify a compression garment.