This is the first document in a template series launched by the Lymphoedema Framework which aims to enhance the care of patients with lymphoedema by providing concise, relevant and highly practical information.

The document recognises that lymphoedema and venolymphatic dysfunction are relatively common and that the considerable suffering that they may cause can be greatly alleviated by skilled clinicians, with compression hosiery playing a central role in treatment.

It focuses on compression hosiery in lower limb lymphoedema and contains three papers:

• Lymphoedema and the construction and classification of compression hosiery
• Evidence for the use of compression hosiery in lymphoedema
• Role of hosiery in lower limb lymphoedema

Compression hosiery in lymphoedema has received unprecedented support in the field of lymphoedema and the endorsement of 15 lymphoedema organisations from Europe, the United States and Australia.

Supported by an educational grant from BSN Medical