Compression Garment

A compression garment applies measured, gentle pressure to help control swelling and support fluid movement in an affected limb.

A compression garment is a close-fitting sleeve, stocking, glove, or other item designed to apply graduated pressure to a swollen or at-risk body area. The pressure is usually firmer farther from the body and eases gradually upward, helping support the movement of lymph fluid through available drainage pathways. It is not ordinary tight clothing. A clinician or trained fitter should select the garment type, pressure level, and size for your limb and skin condition.

Garments come in different fabrics, lengths, shapes, and levels of firmness. Some are ready-made; others are measured and made for an individual limb. A good fit lies flat without rolling, pinching, creasing, or leaving deep marks. The fabric should allow you to move and should not make fingers or toes change colour, feel cold, numb, or tingle. Skin can become dry or irritated under the material, so inspection and gentle care matter.

Compression garments are often part of lymphoedema care after surgery, radiotherapy, or lymph-node treatment, when swelling affects an arm, hand, leg, foot, or another area. They may support control of established swelling or help maintain a reduction achieved through therapy. The right schedule varies: some people wear a garment during the day, while others receive different instructions for exercise, travel, or rest. Learn more in [Lymphoedema Therapy](/treatments/survivorship-and-rehabilitation/lymphoedema-therapy/).

A care plan may also include movement exercises, skin care, positioning, self-massage taught by a specialist, bandaging, or a pneumatic compression device. These approaches are not interchangeable for everyone. Active infection, fragile skin, reduced sensation, or circulation problems can change what is appropriate. A therapist can show you how to combine methods and how to put on or remove the garment without damaging your skin.

Putting on a garment can be easier early in the day, before swelling has built up. Smooth the fabric as you go rather than pulling hard at the top. Keep the garment clean and dry, and check the skin after removal for redness, blisters, cracks, or pressure marks. If it becomes painful, causes numbness, or makes the limb cold or unusually pale or blue, remove it and contact the care team. Sudden swelling, redness, warmth, or fever also needs prompt medical advice.

A garment can lose its support as the fabric stretches, and your limb may change shape over time. Attend planned fitting reviews and do not alter the item yourself. Avoid wearing it over an untreated wound unless the clinician specifically advises this. Tell the team about new pain, skin infection, circulation concerns, or changes in sensation. Having a spare garment can help maintain the routine while one is being washed, if your clinician agrees.