Materials and production methods vary between different manufacturers. There are circular knitted garments without a seam and flat knitted with a seam. The higher compression classes are usually flat knitted. It should be noted that each class is within a compression interval, and within the compression class different materials may have higher or lower compression. Verify how long the manufacturer guarantees that the garment lasts for the specified compression. Garments in softer materials have a shorter durability and must be replaced more often, even though the compression is the same as that of a more rigid garment.

Patients with sensitive skin may need to try different brands. If the patient encounters irritation at the elbow or at the back of the knee, a soft lining can be sewn into the sock. There are also modifications in the knitting technique that decreases skin irritation at these locations. There are also different brands of silicone or hydrogel plates, to be put under the garment that will relieve irritated skin.

Compression stockings are available in various models (Fig. 18.1). You can also choose various fasteners, such as silicone ribbon at the top of the garment or a band around the waist. Each manufacturer provides information about the different varieties available. Which one you choose depends on:

The life span of a compression garment varies between 3 and 6 months, provided that the patient has two garments to switch between. Two garments are required so that the patient every day can take on a newly washed garment. At the first time only one garment is ordered to evaluate the fit and to be able to make any corrections. Then the second garment is promptly ordered. Henceforth two garments should be ordered at each occasion. The minimum amount of compression garments for an arm lymphedema is two every 6 months. If gloves/gauntlets are needed, 2–3 garments every 6 months may be needed since they wear out faster. For legs new garments may need to be reordered every 3–6 months depending on activity level. Very active patients and children may need up to six stockings every 6 months. There should be no upper limit to how many garments that need to be ordered. Additional garments may be needed at the start of treatment.

Funds must be set aside anyway so that patients can obtain sufficient numbers of compression garments as described above.

When an untreated edema is subjected to compression, the excess volume is reduced and compression must be adapted continuously. This can be done with bandaging or controlled compression therapy. The methods can be used individually or in combination. It is very important that treatment outcome is checked regularly with excess volume measurements and that treatment continues until there is no or minimal or no pitting. No manual lymph drainage is needed so the treatment is less time consuming and concerning CCT the patient does not need to be on sick leave. Also manual lymph drainage lacks evidence in reduction of the excess volume [5–7].