Why Custom Compression Garments?
Ready-to-wear garments come in standard sizes and fit many people well. But lymphedema rarely follows standard sizes. A custom garment is knitted to your own measurements, so the pressure lands where it should and stays there all day.
Most custom lymphedema garments are flat knit. The fabric is knitted flat and sewn to your shape, which makes it firmer and less stretchy than the round-knit fabric of most ready-to-wear garments. It holds swelling back better and won't dig into skin folds or roll down.
Who benefits from custom
Uneven limb shapes, such as a thigh much larger than the calf, or swelling in just one part of the arm
Moderate to severe lymphedema, where you need firm containment to keep swelling down
Skin folds or deep creases, which round-knit fabric can cut into
Firm, thickened tissue (fibrosis)
Lipedema or lipo-lymphedema, where comfort and an even fit matter
Hand, toe or chest swelling that needs a precise fit, such as gloves with separate fingers, toe caps or vests
Anyone whose ready-to-wear garments slide, roll, bunch or leave deep marks
Custom garments can also be made in different pressure levels, with zippers or other features that make them easier to put on, and in a range of colors.
Reduce first, then measure
A custom garment is built to hold your limb at the size it is on the day you're measured. If you're measured while your limb is still very swollen, the garment will be made to that size, and it will become loose as swelling goes down. That's why the order matters:
Reduce the swelling. For many patients this means a home compression pump, often along with therapy, bandaging or wraps. The pump moves fluid out of the limb day after day.
Get measured when the limb is at its smallest. Once your size has leveled off, a Certified Compression Therapist takes your measurements, ideally in the morning when swelling is lowest.
Wear the custom garment to hold the results. The firm flat knit keeps fluid from coming back between pump sessions.
Keep using the pump as prescribed. Pump plus custom garment work together: the pump moves fluid out, and the garment keeps it out.
Because custom garments are made to your exact size, they need to be re-measured when your limb changes and replaced about every 6 months as the fabric wears.
Is custom covered?
Yes, in many cases. The Lymphedema Treatment Act covers both standard and custom-fitted compression garments for a lymphedema diagnosis, and many plans follow the same allowance of 3 daytime garments per affected area every 6 months. Custom garments that don't fit must be replaced at no charge. We check your benefits in writing before anything is ordered.
Get fitted in Richland
Midwest Compression measures and fits custom flat knit garments from Jobst, Juzo, medi, Sigvaris and L&R, and sets up BioCompression pumps, for patients from Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids and Lansing. Call (800) 883-1549 or text (517) 657-5223, or read Compression Pump or Compression Garments: Which Do You Need?
Helpful resources
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or lymphedema therapist about your care.
Want to know if your insurance covers it?
Use our secure patient forms to send your information and documents. We'll check your benefits in writing at no cost before anything is ordered.
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