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What are Compression Stockings?

Caitlin Kenney
Caitlin Kenney

Compression stockings, also known as compression socks or compression hoses, are used as an initial varicose vein treatment. Varicose veins are blood vessels that have become large and twisted. Compression stockings support blood circulation in the legs by squeezing the leg, most tightly around the ankle and decreasing in pressure as they travel up the legs. These stockings look almost identical to pantyhose, knee-high, or thigh-high stockings and are often used as a non-surgical treatment for varicose veins, as well as for post-surgical support.

Varicose veins typically look like bulging purple or blue cords that wind and twist along the legs. In healthy veins, valves allow blood to pass in one direction and block the backflow of blood. The valves in varicose veins fail to close entirely, causing blood to pool and the veins to become enlarged. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but appear much smaller and may present in the face as well as the legs.

Compression socks may be used to improve circulation and reduce swelling.
Compression socks may be used to improve circulation and reduce swelling.

Besides their appearance, symptoms of this condition include aching, muscle cramping, a burning sensation in the legs, swelling in the lower legs, itching around the veins, and discomfort after sitting or standing for long periods of time. In some cases, skin ulcers may form around the ankle. The likelihood of developing varicose veins increases with pregnancy, family history of varicose veins, advancing age, being female, obesity, and standing for long periods of time. Compression stockings do not cure varicose veins, but they can help mitigate the symptoms of this condition.

People with varicose veins may wear compression stockings for comfort and to improve circulation.
People with varicose veins may wear compression stockings for comfort and to improve circulation.

The stockings fit fairly tightly, applying more pressure around the ankle and less pressure towards the knee. This graded pressure encourages the blood to move up the leg toward the heart and helps to prevent blood from accumulating in the lower leg and feet. This reduces swelling, discomfort, and the chances of a blood clot forming. A blood clot, or thrombus, occurs when clotting agents within the blood cause elements of the blood to stick together, or coagulate. While this is an important mechanism in a healthy body, unneeded clots formed by blood stagnation can cause serious health problems, such as the death of tissue, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.

Compression stockings can reduce the chance of blood clot formation.
Compression stockings can reduce the chance of blood clot formation.

Compression stockings are made of an elastic material and come in several styles and colors. They should be worn every day, all day long, and taken off at night. Though a pharmacist will size the stockings to fit the patient, the socks are tight, so they may need to be tugged fairly hard to pull them over the foot and ankle. This can pose a problem for those with arthritis or other conditions that weaken the hands. Patients who have diabetes, smoke, or have poor circulation should not wear compression stockings.

Compression stockings can reduce the risk of getting blood clots in the lower legs by supporting blood circulation of the limbs.
Compression stockings can reduce the risk of getting blood clots in the lower legs by supporting blood circulation of the limbs.

Varicose veins may also be removed surgically. If the varicose veins are superficial, or close to the surface, they are fairly easy to remove through procedures such as ambulatory phlebectomy, vein stripping, sclerotherapy, laser surgery, or a catheter-assisted surgery. If complications, such as ulcers, arise that require the removal of deeper veins, it may require endoscopic vein surgery. In this surgery, the doctor inserts a camera into the leg to get an image of the offending vein, closes off the vein, and removes it through small incisions in the skin. A doctor may recommend that the patient wear compression stockings after the surgery.

Discussion Comments

fBoyle

All compression socks and stockings are not heavy duty. Some are meant for every day use for those who have to stand you all day at work. I wear compression stockings daily to work. My legs are less painful at the end of the day and the stockings are super comfortable.

bear78

@stoneMason-- Compression stockings are a little tight. They need to be because that's how they compress the veins. But of course, they should never be so tight that they cause pain, discomfort or seem to cut of circulation.

Compression stockings actually come in different sizes. Some brands might be one size fits all, but there are also brands that make different sizes. I think that's how it should be because no one can expect one size to work for everyone. So I suspect that you must have bought the wrong size.

If you shop from a medical store, you can actually try them on before buying so you'll know that you have the right size. If you buy them without trying them or buy them online, they might be too small or too big. Compression stockings need to be a perfect fit in order to work right.

stoneMason

I don't have varicose veins but I have poor circulation in my legs and feet due to diabetes. My friend suggested compression stockings and I did buy a pair from the store. But I was unable to wear them because they were too tight and uncomfortable. Rather than improving circulation, they seemed to be cutting it off entirely.

Are compression stockings supposed to be that way?

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    • Compression socks may be used to improve circulation and reduce swelling.
      By: nito
      Compression socks may be used to improve circulation and reduce swelling.
    • People with varicose veins may wear compression stockings for comfort and to improve circulation.
      By: roblan
      People with varicose veins may wear compression stockings for comfort and to improve circulation.
    • Compression stockings can reduce the chance of blood clot formation.
      By: clearviewstock
      Compression stockings can reduce the chance of blood clot formation.
    • Compression stockings can reduce the risk of getting blood clots in the lower legs by supporting blood circulation of the limbs.
      By: Andreja Donko
      Compression stockings can reduce the risk of getting blood clots in the lower legs by supporting blood circulation of the limbs.