Wearing rubber gloves may help you get a better grip on the fabric.Ĭompression stockings may cause some discomfort at first, but any soreness or aching should subside quickly if the stockings fit correctly.Then put your toes into the toecap of the stocking and gently roll the fabric up your leg. Turn most of the stocking inside out before pulling it up your leg.(You’ll typically have less swelling in your legs in the morning.) It helps to put stockings on with your back supported by a chair. Put your stockings on when you first wake up.That way, you’ll have an extra pair on hand if the other pair becomes dirty or damaged. If affordable, consider buying more than one pair of stockings.Hand wash new stockings with a mild soap to make the material a bit more flexible.Firm compression = 40-50 mmHg: These stockings are used in people with severe PTS or other vein problems, such as those with a history of venous ulcers.Moderate compression = 30-40 mmHg: These stockings are typically used in people with more severe symptoms that are not controlled by stockings in the 20-30 mmHg range.Mild-moderate compression = 20-30 mmHg: These stockings are the most commonly prescribed and are often used to control swelling and pain following DVT or in people with varicose veins.

Mild compression (light support) = less than 20 mmHg: Stockings up to 20 mmHg are typically sold online or in stores and are often used to relieve minor swelling or discomfort from standing for extended periods of time.The amount of compression in stockings is described using millimeters of mercury (mmHg), which is a standard measure of pressure. Several measurements may be collected to ensure proper fit, including the width of your ankles, length and width of your calves, the width of your thighs, and the overall length of your legs.Īmount of pressure: Stockings have different levels of tightness (compression). Your HCP may prescribe different stockings depending on your personal situation. Length and sizing: Stockings are available in knee-high and thigh-high lengths as well as in leggings or hose. Your HCP can help you figure out both the right size and the amount of compression that you need. To get the most benefit from compression stockings, they must fit correctly. Like many over-the-counter medications and therapies, many stockings sold online or in a store are not equivalent to the stockings that are prescribed by a healthcare provider (HCP).

Not all compression stockings are the same! While you can easily find stockings online or at your local pharmacy, some stockings are available by prescription only. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE USING COMPRESSION STOCKINGS? People with ulcers or wounds on their legs.Individuals with severe peripheral artery disease.Individuals who are on their feet or at a desk for long periods of timeĬompression stockings might not be the right option for the following people:.People who frequently travel on long trips.Patients who have just had surgery or are on bedrest.People who may have circulation problems (related to conditions like varicose veins).Individuals who have leg swelling due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

WHO TYPICALLY WEARS COMPRESSION STOCKINGS? Using stockings can be daunting at first, so I encourage people to work with their medical team to find the right stockings and to understand how and when to use them.” “Compression stockings are one of the few therapies we have to help people with leg swelling, PTS, and other vein problems and they can help prevent leg fatigue from sitting or standing for a long time. Aaron Aday, a cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN and NATF Medical Advisory Board member. “While not everyone needs to wear compression stockings, many of my patients feel better when they do,” says Dr. Graduated stockings have the most pressure (and are tightest) at the ankle the pressure gradually decreases as the stockings move up the leg. Uniform stockings apply the same amount of pressure to the entire leg. There are two types of compression stockings.

Full leg compression stocking