Following laser treatment for Varicose Veins it’s important to wear Compression Stockings for at least 3 to 5 days to help reduce leg swelling and discomfort and to promote healing. Compression stockings assist blood flow, particularly venous return, in your legs. Compression stockings gently squeeze your legs to increase the movement of blood up through your leg veins back to the heart. Compression stocking are used to help reduce leg swelling and, to a lesser extent, blood clots. They are used after varicose vein treatments to increase circulation, minimize swelling and speed healing.
Compression stockings used to be fairly unattractive, thick, tan elastic stockings (think elderly grandmother of yesteryear). However, today compression stockings, like many things, are available in an array of attractive colors, styles and patterns. In fact, some of them are quite fashionable.
You can buy compression stockings at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Prices vary widely so take the time to “shop.” They also come in a range of compression levels. There are Prescription-strength stockings and non-prescription stockings.
When purchasing compression stockings it is really important that they fit properly. Measure your legs with a cloth tape measure and compare it to the chart on the stocking package. Compression stockings should be strong or firm, but not necessarily tight. If you have weak hands or arthritis, donning you new stockings may be a challenge. Check out our tips below. There are devices to make putting them on easier.
Types of Compression Stockings
There are different types of compression stockings which can be confusing when you go to purchase them. They are available in different pressures, styles, prescription and non-prescription stockings, and gradient and non-gradient pressure stockings. They are sold at pharmacies, a range of department and discount stores, medical supply stores and on-line sites. The key to success is to get the correct fit. Your compression stockings should feel strong around your legs. You will feel the most pressure around your ankles and less pressure higher up on your legs.
- Pressures, from light pressure to strong pressure from 8 – 50 mmHg.
- Lengths, from knee-high thigh-high and pantyhose, closed toe/ open toe
- Compression Stockings are available in fashionable colors and styles
- There are thigh high compression stockings for women and men, knee high black compression stockings that look like men’s business socks and open toe compression stockings for wearing with sandals.
Tips to putting on and taking off your compression stockings
Put them on first thing in the morning. When you first wake up your legs, after a long rest, have the least amount of swelling. Put your stockings on first thing in the morning, even before you get out of bed.
- Do not use lotion on your legs before putting on your compression stocking. Lotion can make it more difficult to pull them up.
- Try a very small amount of corn starch on your legs to minimize resistance.
- Hold the top of the stocking and gather it up over your hands from to heel.
- Put your foot into the stocking as far as you can. Put your heel in the heel of the stocking.
- Pull the stocking up by unrolling it over your leg.
- If you have difficulty gripping and pulling the stockings up, try wearing light rubber dishwashing gloves. They will help you get a better grip on the stocking.
- Once the stocking is in place it is important to smooth out any wrinkles.
- DO NOT let the stockings bunch up or wrinkle. This is especially important if you have Diabetes.
Medical supply stores and many stocking manufacturers offer a variety of devices to assist in donning and removing compression stockings. If you are having difficulty donning or removing your stockings you may want to check with your supplier.
Wash & Wear Your Stockings Every Day
- Wash the stockings each day with mild soap and water. Rinse and air dry.
- If you can, have two pairs. Wear one each day. Wash and dry the other pair.
- Replace your stockings every 3 – 6 months so that they maintain their support.
Let us know
If your stockings feel too uncomfortable, call your doctor or nurse. Find out if there is a different kind of stocking that will work for you. Do not stop wearing them without talking to your doctor.
Alternate Names
Compression hose; Pressure stockings; Support stockings; Gradient stockings
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