Fitting & care
Getting the size and the tension right matters more than which model you choose.
Measuring for a size
Supports are sized on the circumference of the limb or the body at the point the product sits: around the knee for a knee sleeve, around the wrist for a wrist binder, around the waist at the top of the hips for a lumbar belt. Measure with a tape held firm but not pulled tight, over bare skin, with the limb relaxed and straight.
Size charts differ between products in the range. Ask us or your dealer for the chart for the specific model before you order — we will send it to you.
How tight is too tight
A support should feel firm and present. It should not produce tingling, numbness, throbbing, coolness, or any change in the colour of the hand or foot beyond it. If it does, it is too tight: loosen it, and if the symptoms persist, remove it and seek advice. Compression is not a case of more being better.
When to involve a clinician
Cervical collars, arm slings, shoulder immobilisers, knee immobilisers and rib belts restrict movement, and restricting a joint is a clinical decision. Use these products on the instruction of a doctor or physiotherapist, who will set the position and tell you how many hours a day to wear it. A rib belt in particular must never be fastened so tightly that you cannot take a full, deep breath.
Wearing in
Start with shorter periods and build up. Check the skin under the support each time you take it off, especially where an edge or a stay sits, and especially if you have reduced sensation or diabetes. Do not sleep in a compression support unless you have been told to.
Washing and care
- Hand wash in cold water with a mild soap. Close all hook-and-loop fastenings first so they do not pick up lint.
- Do not bleach, do not dry clean, do not tumble dry, and do not iron a support with elastic or hook-and-loop in it.
- Squeeze out water without wringing or twisting, and dry flat in the shade. Direct sun and heat shorten the life of elastic.
- Do not pull a support on over cream or ointment; let it absorb first.
- Replace a support when the elastic no longer recovers or the hook-and-loop stops holding. A stretched belt is not supporting anything.
Important. This page is general guidance on fit and care, not medical advice. If you have pain, a recent injury, swelling, numbness, a skin condition or a circulatory condition, speak to a doctor or physiotherapist before using any support.