How do I know which type of compression stockings to buy? The Gardamed website alone has 11 different brands of medical compression and medical support stockings which range from £12.90 to £52.90 for a below knee sock. What is the difference between medical support and medical compression?
The Knitting process
Medical compression knitting process 
Medical support knitting process
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Knitting process | Contains a “weft yarn” (indicated in red) which alters the shaping during the knitting process and provides higher tensions and easily calibrated compression. | No “weft yarn” which reduces the lower compression rating. |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Stretch characteristics | Two way stretch. A third elastic yarn is woven into the fabric. | One way stretch. There is no elastic yarn woven in thus no elasticity in longitudinal direction |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Fit | Fits perfectly to all bends and folds in the leg including under the knee. The change in the size of the hosiery in longitudinal or transverse direction when stretched is uniform. | More difficult to achieve exact fit. Garments do not stretch uniformly. |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Manufacturing quality standards | Manufactured to strict international RAL standard which guarantees highest quality level in compression hosiery. A Quality Mark Association Certificate is given to the products. The yarns are also tested and must return to their original form after application of pressure. | Gloriamed medical support stockings are manufactured to the same internal standards but do not have a Quality Mark Association Certificate. Due to the difference in knitting process they can not withstand high amounts of pressure which may occur in leg oedema. |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Durability | Tested and guaranteed for 6 months of wear even if washed and worn every day. | No product guarantee is in place, although general consensus agrees that the products last at least 3 months. |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Sizes | Gloriamed medical compression stockings are avialable in 24 off-the-shelf sizes with different ankle/below knee/calf/length ratios. | Available in limited number of sizes. |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Avialable on prescription | Yes | No |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Conditions | Existing venous conditions, post sclerotherapy, swelling, lymphoedema, leg ulcers, uneven leg size. | Average leg shape and size, prevention of venous conditions, mild venous conditions such as aching legs. |
| Medical Compression | Medical Support | |
| Gloriamed products | – Gloriamed Micro – Gloriamed Gentleman – Gloriamed Comfort – Gloriamed Cotton – Gloriamed Strong – Gloriamed Armsleeve – Gloriamed Perfect – UlcerKit Pro | – Travel and Work – Lady Gloria – Man Support |
