Compression stockings

Compression stockings are specially designed to apply pressure to your lower legs. Wearing them helps to keep your blood flowing and reduces discomfort and swelling in your legs. The special knit of a compression stocking massages the veins in your legs to keep blood moving back to your heart.

Compression stockings are known by different names such as graduated compression stockings or thrombo-embolus deterrent (TED) stockings. Graduated compression stockings are generally worn if you have poor blood flow but you can walk around. TED stockings have graduated compression but they’re designed to be worn when you’re lying down, to prevent blood clots, such as after surgery. 

• It’s important to get the right fit and to know how to put on and take off your stockings correctly. If you don’t have enough strength, or you have a condition such as arthritis, you’ll need someone to help you with your stockings.
• You can buy compression stockings from some pharmacies, or your healthcare provider may be able to supply them at a lower cost. If you’re eligible for a disability allowance(external link) you can buy and claim for 2 pairs of stockings which may last for 1 year.
• You may have to use your stockings over a long period, so you need to be willing and able to do so.

Uses

Health conditions
Most of the information on this page is about the use of compression stockings for specific health conditions. It’s important that the correct size and type are worn, so follow your healthcare provider’s advice.

Compression socks can also be useful for travel or exercise, and can be bought over the counter for these purposes.  

Long journeys
It’s recommended you wear compression socks when you’re travelling, especially flying, long distances when you’re sitting still for a long time and it’s hard to move around. Compression travel socks can be bought online or over the counter. It is best to measure your legs and select the right size to ensure they fit correctly. There’s no need to see a healthcare provider before wearing these. 

When exercising
There is some evidence that wearing compression socks when exercising may speed up recovery afterwards. This is the case for athletes as well as the general, less fit population. 

Compression stockings are used if you have poor blood flow in your legs, to help reduce discomfort and swelling. They can also help to prevent blood clots forming in your legs – this type of clot is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. 

Your healthcare provider may recommend you wear compression stockings:

• during and after surgery (they will be provided for you)
• if you're unwell, or travelling, and less active than normal
• if you have broken a bone or injured yourself and can't move around normally
• if you have varicose veins (swollen and enlarged veins in your legs)
• if you have leg ulcers
• if you have lymphoedema (when your body's tissues swell up).   
  
  

Image credit: Canva

Compression stockings are not suitable if you have: 

• suspected or proven peripheral arterial disease
• severe peripheral neuropathy (eg, due to diabetes), or another cause of reduced sensation in your legs or feet
• an allergy to stocking material
• massive leg swelling or fluid in your lungs from congestive heart failure
• skin or soft-tissue conditions of your legs, including a recent skin graft, fragile 'tissue paper' skin, gangrene, oozing dermatitis or severe cellulitis
• a deformity of your leg or unusual leg shape or size that prevents correct fitting of the stocking.

Compression stockings come in different lengths, sizes and grades. To make sure they fit properly, your legs will be measured in several places. It’s important that your stockings are comfortable and fit well. 

Compression stockings can be knee high or thigh high. They apply graduated pressure, which means that they apply the most pressure at your ankles and less pressure higher up your legs.

There are different grades of compression stockings that apply different amounts of pressure. Your healthcare provider will assess your blood circulation and tell you which type or grade of stockings you need for your condition.

You may need to wear stockings on both legs or just on one.

How long you need to use your compression stockings depends on your condition. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long you need to wear them for. If you’re in hospital they’re usually worn during the day and night until you get back to a normal level of activity. Only remove the stockings for washing, bathing or showering.

It’s best to put your stockings on first thing in the morning as your legs will usually be less swollen at this time. Wearing rubber dishwashing gloves can help give you a good grip when putting your stockings on.

• Place your hand into the stocking as far as the heel.
• Holding the heel turn the stocking inside out.
• Ease the stocking over your foot and heel; make sure that your heel fits into the heel pocket of the stocking.
• Ease the rest of the stocking up over your ankle, calf and knee (if it’s a thigh high stocking).
• Smooth out any wrinkles and make sure your heel is in the heel pocket and the hole (if there is one) is under your toes or the ball of your foot. 

Note: There’s no right or left stocking. 

Make sure you can put the stockings on and remove them yourself or have someone to help you with this. If you can't reach your feet, there are stocking aid devices you can use to help you put on and take off your stockings.

Here are some handy do's and don'ts when using compression stockings.

Do’s

✔ Do remove your stockings before having a shower, bath or wash.

✔ Do keep your nails short and take off your rings before putting on or taking off your stockings. This helps to prevent runs or snags.

✔ Do dry your legs and feet before you put on your stockings. Wet legs and feet can make them stick.

✔ Do check for any skin problems each day before washing your legs.

✔ Do check your stockings each day to make sure they’re still fitting well and aren’t getting too loose.

Don’ts

✘ Don't roll down your stockings while wearing them as they’ll form a tight band around your leg and restrict the blood flow to your leg.

✘ Don't apply ointments, oils or lanolin to your legs as these will damage the elastic fibres of the stockings. If you do put lotion on your legs before putting on your stockings, use one that doesn’t have an oil base.

✘ Don't wear wet stockings.

✘ Don't cross your legs when sitting or lying down while wearing your stockings.

Video: Easily get a compression sock on 

You should have at least 2 stockings, or 2 pairs if you're wearing them on both legs. This means you can wear 1 stocking (or pair) while the other is being washed and dried. Wash your stockings as often as necessary but at least every 3 days.

Wash your stockings by hand or machine wash in water no hotter than 95°C with a non-bleaching washing powder or liquid. Spin, air dry or tumble dry at a maximum temperature of 70°C. Don’t iron or dry clean the stockings. 

Throw out your stockings when they look like they’ve lost their stretchiness or if they’re damaged.  Generally, your stockings should last for about 3 to 6 months. It’s a good idea to get your leg(s) re-measured when buying new stockings as your leg size may change over time.

Compression stockings can cause problems. Stop wearing your stocking(s) and contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following:

• numbness, tingling, pins and needles, pain or soreness in your foot or leg, or if your leg or foot becomes pale, cool or changes colour – these may be signs that your stocking(s) are too tight, and you may need ones with a lower level of compression
• a rash – this may mean you have an allergy to the elastic fibres in the stockings
• changes in the colour of your skin or damage such as red marks and/or sores on your toes or feet.