Custom made foot compression sock maintain effective pressure for 2-3 months and then must be replaced. Alternating between several compression garments will aid in lengthening the life of the garments. Although in some cases of weight change, or spurts of rapid growth in children, more frequent re-measurement and replacement may be necessary.
Common Options for Custom Foot Garments
Standard Foot Closure
- Self Toe
- Soft Toe
- Open Toe
The standard foot compression sock with closed toe is made with a “Soft toe” closure. Request a “Self toe” when you want the toe to be made from the same material as the rest of the compression garment.
Check “Open” on the Foot Measurement Chart to leave the foot open and do not enter a measurement for g (leave it blank).
Specialty Foot Closure
- Foot Glove
- Foot Gauntlet
- Foot Mitten
These are considered separate garments which would be attached to another foot garment, including #12 Stocking to Knee, #13 Stocking to Thigh, #17 Leg & Chap to Waist, #18 Leg & Panty to Waist, etc.
These specialty foot garments may be worn separately from the stocking. Order a custom stocking with standard Open Toe (as above) to fit over and hold in place the separate Foot Glove, Gauntlet, or Mitten.
Just like a custom hand garment, the separate toe sleeves may be open or closed tipped.
Inserts
An “Anterior Ankle Insert” is a circular piece of soft stretchy Insert Material positioned over the front of the ankle. This helps prevent bunching of the regular garment fabric at the ankle.
Heel Inserts are made of a layer of Insert Material from about the middle of the plantar foot surface to approximately two inches above the ankle. The heel insert assists the patient in pulling the stocking over the heel and it may be used to avoid the standard seam over the bottom of the foot.
Linings
Any part of the foot may be lined with Lining Material for patient comfort. Linings work especially well to prevent soreness resulting from rubbing, such as the back of the heel, or the dorsum of the foot.
Expansion Panels
Expansion panels, constructed of soft stretchy Insert Material, are normally installed posteriorly in a lower extremity garment. Lateral expansion panels are occasionally requested. A posterior expansion panel in a stocking includes the back of the leg, the heel, and the plantar foot surface. It is a comfortable means to allow for growth of the patient, facilitate donning the garment, and avoid the posterior/plantar garment seam.
Zippers
For some patients a zipper may be needed in a lower extremity garment so the patient can get it over the foot. Zippers may be lateral or medial, and normally end at a level even with Point Y. Anterior or posterior zippers are technically feasible, but should only be requested in extreme cases where the lateral and medial surfaces are too painful or otherwise involved.
Fabrics and Design Considerations
Resources
Ordering
Forms
Bio-Concepts Order Form
This should be completed and transmitted with every custom garment order.
Download PDFManuals
How To Prepare The Order Form
Detailed instructions for submitting orders and an example order form.
Download PDFFoot
Charts
Foot Measurement Chart
Required for stockings with feet; includes Foot Measurement Chart, tracing primer and foot tracing form.
Download PDFManuals
How To Measure The Foot
Procedures and an example measuring chart and tracing guide.
Download PDFSketch Pad
Charts
Bio-Concepts Sketch Pad
To indicate the locations of special linings and other features.
Download PDFBio-Concepts Measurement Charts And Forms
All of the Order Forms and Measurement Charts listed below contained in one file.
Download PDFThe Bio-Concepts Measuring Manual
All of the Measuring Manual sections listed below in one file.
Download PDF