Socks

Abstract

A sock suitable for wearing on a limb of a patient, the sock comprising material having the ability to wick moisture away from the skin surface and the sock comprising padding located in those areas of the sock which in use will cover the ankle and shin of the patient.

1 . A sock suitable for wearing on a limb of a patient, the sock comprising material having the ability to wick moisture away from the skin surface and the sock comprising padding located in those areas of the sock which in use will cover the ankle and shin of the patient.  
     
     
         2 . The sock according to  claim 1  wherein the material having the ability to wick moisture away from the skin surface is a wicking fibre.  
     
     
         3 . The sock according to  claim 2  wherein the sock is knitted from a wicking fibre or from a combination of two or more different fibres including one or more wicking fibres.  
     
     
         4 . The sock according to  claim 3  wherein the sock is knitted with a stitch pattern that encourages moisture transport to other areas of the sock.  
     
     
         5 . The sock according to  claim 1  wherein the sock comprises an ankle portion made from material having the ability to apply compression to the ankle area of the patient's foot.  
     
     
         6 . The sock according to  claim 5  wherein the material having the ability to apply compression to the ankle area of the patient's foot includes one or more elasticated fibres.  
     
     
         7 . The sock according to  claim 1  wherein portions of the sock are made of material that does not have any significant ability to apply compression.  
     
     
         8 . The sock according to  claim 1  wherein the padding is provided by the use of terry loops in the areas of the ankle portion and the leg portion that, in use, will be over the ankle and the shin, on the side that in use will be on the inner surface of the sock.  
     
     
         9 . The sock according to  claim 1  which is a knitted sock.  
     
     
         10 . The sock according to  claim 9  wherein the sock is knitted from a combination of fibres including one or more fine natural fibres selected from first spin wool, merino wool and silk threads.  
     
     
         11 . A kit comprising a sock, the sock being suitable for wearing on a limb of a patient and comprising material having the ability to wick moisture away from the skin surface, and one or more compression applying means.  
     
     
         12 . The kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the compression applying means is selected from bandages, compression stockings, compression sleeves and air bladders.  
     
     
         13 . A method for the treatment of venous leg ulcers, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), vascular disorders or the reduction of oedema comprising applying the sock and the one or more compression applying means of the kit of  claim 11  separately and sequentially to the leg of a patient.