What does “graduated” mean as it relates to compression hosiery?
A. Graduated means that the level of compressive pressure applied to the circumference of the leg gradually decreases as you move from the lower to the upper part of the garment. The result is that more pressure is applied to the veins in the lower leg than in the upper leg which pushes fluids up. The amount of pressure in compression hosiery is indicated using the measurement term mmHg or millimeters of mercury which is how the compression is measured. Some examples are 15-20mmHg, 20-30mmHg, and 30-40mmHg.
