How To Choose the Best Compression Socks

Compression socks are specialized socks that aid in blood circulation. Experts like vein specialists recommend using them if you have vein problems like varicose veins. But how do compression socks work? Here’s all you need to know about them and how to choose compression socks.

What Are Compression Socks?

Compression socks are specialized, tight-fitting, stretchy socks to treat and prevent poor circulation. They usually cover your leg to the knee but may extend to the thigh. They’re made using an elastic but breathable fabric. Compression socks are designed to snugly cover and gently squeeze or compress your legs when you wear them.¹ 

These socks are also called gradient compression socks or pressure socks. They apply various levels of pressure or compression to your legs — tight near your ankles and feet and gradually loosen as they move up your legs. They create a pressure gradient to improve blood flow from your lower legs to the heart.² 

The Benefits of Compression Sock Therapy

The veins in your lower legs have valves to push blood upwards to the heart against gravity. But if your veins become weak or injured, the valves don’t work and can’t circulate the blood. It can cause your blood to flow back and pool in your veins, leading to enlarged blood vessels. These swollen veins are purple or blue and are called varicose veins.³

Varicose veins are mostly painless. But sometimes, they can lead to complications like swelling, pain, discomfort, and in some cases, blood clots and ulcers.⁴ Wearing compression socks ensures constant but graduated pressure on your legs. It helps prevent blood pooling in the veins and promotes proper blood flow by gently compressing the legs.⁵ 

Compression socks have the following benefits:⁶

• Boost blood flow in your legs
• Support veins and prevent backflow of blood
• Reduce and prevent pain or swelling due to varicose veins
• Prevent venous ulcers
• Prevent blood clotting in veins
• Prevent lightheadedness when you stand
• Improve lymph drainage

How To Choose Compression Socks

Here are simple steps to choose the best compression socks for you: 

1. Consider What They Will Be Used For

When selecting the right compression socks, consider how they can help your condition. They can be used for the following:

• Varicose veins. Doctors prescribe compression socks to help reduce varicose vein symptoms and help prevent the formation of new ones.⁷ 
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If you have medical conditions like DVT, you’ll need to wear gradient compression stockings to prevent the formation of blood clots.⁸
• Lymphedema. Conditions like lymphedema or the accumulation of lymph fluid in your legs can cause severe swelling and pain. Compression socks help alleviate swelling and discomfort by improving lymph drainage.⁹
• Post-surgery care. Your doctor may ask you to wear compression socks after leg surgery to maintain proper blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Doctors recommend wearing compression socks after varicose vein treatment and procedures like sclerotherapy as they aid in faster recovery and increased treatment efficacy. Patients also wear them after surgical treatment for DVT, as advised by the doctor.¹⁰
• Pregnancy. Pregnant women can also wear compression stockings to relieve the added pressure on their legs due to the baby’s weight. It helps prevent swelling and vein damage in the legs and feet.¹¹
• Sitting or standing for too long. You can wear compression socks for non-medical reasons, too. If your daily activities demand standing or sitting in one position all day, compression socks can help you relieve the pressure on your legs.¹² 
• Travel. When traveling for long durations, you can wear compression socks to maintain circulation and prevent swelling.¹³
• Sports and exercise. You can wear compression socks during exercise and other strenuous activities. Athletes wear compression stockings to protect their leg health, reduce muscle soreness, and boost blood circulation. Compression socks also help with faster recovery after exercise.¹⁴ 

Before buying or using compression socks, seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider. They’ll prescribe the best compression stockings based on your condition. 

2. Identify the Right Level of Compression

Compression socks have different compression levels. The compression level you use depends on your condition. The socks are labeled with the range of compression in mmHg (millimeter of mercury) to denote the pressure they exert on your legs.

Compression sock levels include:

• Mild compression. Mild compression socks provide less than 20 mmHg of pressure. They’re ideal for aching, swollen, and tired legs. They’re helpful for pregnant women. You can also use them to provide relief and support from sitting or standing for long durations.¹⁵
• Mild to moderate compression. Doctors commonly prescribe medium compression socks, which provide 20 to 30 mmHg of pressure. Medium compression socks are ideal for people with varicose veins, DVT, and symptoms like swelling. They’re also used after surgical leg procedures like sclerotherapy.¹⁶
• Moderate compression. It provides 30 to 40 mmHg of pressure.¹⁷ It’s best for those with severe swelling, pain, varicose veins, DVT, or lymphedema.
• Firm compression. Firm compression provides 40 to 50 mmHg and is recommended if you have a history of severe vein problems like post-thrombotic syndrome, venous ulcers, and blood clots.¹⁸

3. Use a Size Chart To Get the Right Fit

Finally, you must find compression gear that fits you correctly to provide the right compression level. The wrong size can delay recovery and worsen your condition.

Compression gear like socks, knee or waist-high stockings, and sleeves are available online or at pharmacies. To select the right compression socks, measure your shoe size and the length and girth of your ankle, calf, and leg for thigh-high stockings. Measure the circumference or girth of the ankle at the thinnest part. Measure the thickest part of the calf for the girth and measure from the floor to the bend of the knee for the length.¹⁹ 

Take the measurements just after waking early in the morning, when the swelling in your legs is reduced.²⁰ You can also ask your healthcare provider or staff at a medical supply store to help you with the measurements. They will also help you find the perfect compression socks for your legs. 

Are Compression Socks the Right Treatment for You?

The right pair of compression stockings can help relieve swelling and pain. But it doesn’t heal vein problems like varicose veins. It’s best to seek medical advice from a qualified vein doctor who will check your symptoms and tell you what’s best. With My Vein Treatment, you can find a vein specialist near you and learn more about the proper treatment options for your condition.

SOURCES:

1. Cleveland Clinic: “What You Should Know About Compression Socks.”
2. Healthline: “What to Know About Compression Socks and Stockings.”
3. Cleveland Clinic: “Varicose & Spider Veins.”
4. Cleveland Clinic: “Varicose & Spider Veins.”
5. Cleveland Clinic: “What You Should Know About Compression Socks.”
6. Healthline: “What to Know About Compression Socks and Stockings.”
7. Cleveland Clinic: “Varicose & Spider Veins.”
8. Vascular Cures: “Deep Vein Thrombosis and Post-Thrombotic Syndrome.”
9. Lymphatic Research and Biology: “Effects of Compression Stockings on Elevation of Leg Lymph Pumping Pressure and Improvement of Quality of Life in Healthy Female Volunteers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”
10. NHS: “How long should I wear compression stockings after surgery?”
11. Healthline: “The Best Compression Socks for Pregnancy.”
12. North American Thrombosis Forum: “Under Pressure: Compression Stockings 101.”
13. North American Thrombosis Forum: “Under Pressure: Compression Stockings 101.”
14. Cleveland Clinic: “What You Should Know About Compression Socks.”
15. North American Thrombosis Forum: “Under Pressure: Compression Stockings 101.”
16. North American Thrombosis Forum: “Under Pressure: Compression Stockings 101.”
17. North American Thrombosis Forum: “Under Pressure: Compression Stockings 101.”
18. North American Thrombosis Forum: “Under Pressure: Compression Stockings 101.”
19. Lymphedemablog: “Measuring for Compression Stockings.”
20. Lymphedemablog: “Measuring for Compression Stockings.”