How to Wear Compression Stockings: Choosing, Fitting and Daily Use

Medical compression stockings only help if they fit well and are worn correctly. This guide covers the practical side. For what stockings do and when they are recommended, start with medical compression stockings .

How do I choose the right compression stockings?

Length

• Knee-high: the most common choice; easiest to put on and comfortable for daily wear.
• Thigh-high: used when veins above the knee are involved, or after treatment of thigh veins.
• Tights: cover both legs and the hips; sometimes preferred in pregnancy.

Pressure level

Stockings are made in different compression levels. Lighter levels are often used for travel or mild symptoms; higher levels are used for more advanced disease or after treatment. Because too much pressure can be harmful for some people, ask a doctor which level suits you.

Size

Sizes are based on leg measurements, not shoe size. Measure the narrowest point above the ankle, the widest part of the calf, and for longer stockings the upper thigh, plus leg length. Measure in the morning, when swelling is lowest. If you are between sizes, ask for advice rather than guessing.

How do I put compression stockings on?

1. Start in the morning , ideally before you have been up and about for long.
2. Make sure your skin is dry. Lotion or sweat makes the fabric stick. Some people dust their legs lightly with talc.
3. Turn the stocking inside out down to the heel, so the foot section is a pocket.
4. Slide your foot in and line up the heel pocket with your heel.
5. Ease the rest up a little at a time , unrolling the fabric over your ankle and calf. Use the palms of your hands to work it up rather than pulling from the top.
6. Smooth out wrinkles. The fabric should lie flat and even all over.
7. Check the top band sits at the right place, about two finger-widths below the bend of the knee for knee-highs.

Rubber household gloves give a better grip and protect the fabric from fingernails. Special donning aids are available if you have difficulty bending, arthritis or a recent treatment.

What mistakes should I avoid?

• Rolling or folding the top down : it creates a tight band that works like a tourniquet.
• Leaving wrinkles , which dig in and leave red marks or blisters.
• Wearing a stretched-out pair that no longer provides proper pressure.
• Cutting the stocking to make it more comfortable.
• Ignoring pain, numbness or color changes in your toes. Take the stocking off and contact a doctor.

How long should I wear them each day?

For symptom control, most people wear stockings during the day and take them off at bedtime. After EVLT or sclerotherapy , you will be given a specific schedule, which may initially include wearing them for longer. On long flights, put them on before departure and keep them on until you arrive. See long-haul flights and DVT prevention .

How do I wash and care for them?

• Wash after each wear, or as the label says, by hand in lukewarm water with mild soap.
• Do not wring; squeeze gently in a towel.
• Dry flat, away from radiators and direct sunlight; avoid tumble dryers unless the label allows.
• Keep two pairs so one can dry while you wear the other.
• Replace them when they feel noticeably looser or easier to put on than when new.

What about skin care and comfort?

Moisturize your legs at night, after removing stockings, rather than in the morning. Check your skin daily for redness or pressure marks, especially around the ankle and the top band. If you have diabetes or reduced feeling in the feet, be particularly careful; see varicose veins and diabetes .

Choosing a stocking length

Wearing compression stockings – frequently asked questions