Compression Sleeves and Garments for Lymphedema
Compression sleeves and garments for lymphedema can help reduce pain and swelling by moving accumulated fluids away from the affected area. Lymphedema sleeves and other compression garments are made of stretchy fabric that exerts pressure. This pressure helps drain the excess lymph.
Examples of compression garments include:
lymphedema compression sleeves for affected arms
fingerless gloves or gauntlets without individual finger openings, often worn with a sleeve
support bras for affected breasts and chests
vests to cover the entire trunk
Types of lymphedema compression sleeves
There are two types of compression sleeves: daytime and nighttime lymphedema sleeves. Lymphedema compression sleeves are available off-the-shelf (or ready-to-wear) or custom-made to your measurements. They come in a number of different styles and materials. Some daytime lymphedema sleeves also come with a glove or gauntlet already attached.
You should wear the compression sleeve during the day and take it off at night. Put the sleeve on as soon as possible in the morning and make sure to wear it when you’re exercising.
A daytime sleeve is a tube of strong but flexible fabric that extends from the wrist to the upper arm. The sleeve is tighter at the bottom than it is at the top to create graded pressure that helps lymph flow up and out of the arm.
Sleeves apply resting pressure, which means the pressure is higher when the arm is at rest. There are four pressure levels, which range from low to high and are classified from 1 through 4. (The amount of pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), which is a standard way to measure pressure in medicine and other scientific fields.)
The four pressure levels of U.S.-manufactured sleeves are:
class 1 sleeves, which exert 20 mmHg to 30 mmHg of pressure
class 2 sleeves, which exert 30 mmHg to 40 mmHg of pressure
class 3, which are available as custom orders and exert 40 mmHg to 50 mmHg of pressure
class 4, which are also available as custom orders and exert 50 mmHg to 60 mmHg of pressure
Compression sleeves can fit differently, depending on the U.S. manufacturer, even if they are from the same class.
Sleeves manufactured in Europe use a slightly different classification system:
class 1 sleeves exert 18 mmHg to 21 mmHg of pressure
class 2 sleeves exert 23 mmHg to 32 mmHg of pressure
class 3 sleeves exert 34 mmHg to 46 mmHg of pressure
class 4 sleeves exert 49 mmHg of pressure
Generally, more severe cases of lymphedema require class 3 or 4 sleeves, and milder cases require class 1 or 2 sleeves. Some manufacturers also offer compression sleeves that exert as little as 15 mmHg to 20 mmHg for very mild cases of lymphedema.
Your lymphedema specialist can help you determine the level of pressure that is right for you. It’s also possible that, over time, you may need to move to a higher-pressure or lower-pressure sleeve, depending on your symptoms.
Daytime sleeves can cost anywhere from $50 to $300. Custom-made sleeves are more expensive than ready-to-wear sleeves.
If daytime compression isn’t enough to control your symptoms, your lymphedema specialist may recommend that you wear a compression sleeve at night. Nighttime lymphedema sleeves are larger and bulkier and fit a little looser than daytime sleeves. Nighttime sleeves are made of foam and padded material and often have outside straps that you can adjust to provide the right amount of pressure.
Nighttime sleeves are more expensive than daytime sleeves and can cost anywhere from $200 to more than $1,000.
Experts caution against wearing a daytime lymphedema sleeve while you’re sleeping. The compression may be too high, and you can hurt your arm if the sleeve twists or bunches up. If you need round-the-clock compression, ask your specialist which types of lymphedema sleeves you should wear.
If you have health insurance, it may cover some or all of the cost of your compression sleeves and other lymphedema-related supplies. You need a prescription for those items from a health care provider to get them covered.
The Lymphedema Treatment Act is a federal law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024 and improved coverage of lymphedema compression supplies for people with Medicare Part B. Other health insurance plans tend to follow Medicare guidelines, so they are likely to be expanding their coverage as well.
Coverage and fit
Lymphedema sleeves and other compression garments should:
cover the entire area that is swollen
fit snugly with no baggy or loose areas
let you move freely
not cause pain, discomfort, numbness, or tingling
If you have discomfort or pain, take off the compression sleeve or garment and let your lymphedema specialist know right away.
Regardless of whether you get a ready-to-wear or custom-made compression sleeve or garment, it’s important that you get properly fitted by an expert. Proper fitting ensures that the sleeve works as it’s supposed to, helping the lymph to move up and out of the affected area. If the sleeve or garment is too tight in certain places, it can restrict lymph flow and make things worse.
You may be able to purchase your compression garments from your lymphedema specialist. You can also ask your specialist to recommend a durable medical equipment company. “Durable medical equipment” refers to medical equipment or supplies that you use at home. If possible, try to buy two compression garments so you can alternate between washings.
If you need a lymphedema sleeve, you may want to ask your specialist whether you should also get a glove or gauntlet, especially:
if your hand has experienced even mild symptoms of lymphedema
as a precaution in case your hand is affected once you start wearing the sleeve
At first, your lymphedema specialist measures you every few months, especially to see if you need a different size.
Taking care of your lymphedema sleeves and garments
Follow the washing instructions and use a mild washing powder or liquid to clean your compression garments. Lay the lymphedema sleeve or garment flat to dry; don’t use direct heat.
All lymphedema garments lose their stretchiness over time, even when you follow the washing instructions carefully, and should be replaced every three to six months — otherwise, they lose their shape and might apply uneven pressure.
Avoid wearing moisturizer (or make sure your skin has fully absorbed it) before putting on your compression garment. The ingredients in moisturizers can break down the lymphedema garment’s elastic fibers.
— Last updated on March 7, 2024 at 7:27 PM