Why do people need compression stockings?

Compression stockings are used to help prevent the formation of blood clots, increase venous blood return, prevent postural hypotension and reduce swelling or pain in legs. It is recommended to wear compression stockings for those in long term bedridden, paraplegia, major surgery or server fracture surgery, varicose vein or vascular surgery on the lower legs. For long standing, obese people and pregnant woman, compression stockings can prevent varicose veins.

Goods Required:

1. Compression stockings

2. Pillows

Steps :

1. Put on stockings first thing in the morning before you get out of bed. 
2. Lie down and use a pillow to lift your legs above your heart for 15 minutes before you wear it.
3. Use your hand into the stocks and roll it down to the heel. Turn stockings inside out . 
   (Figure 1)
4. Use both thumbs to support the inside of the stockings and align the heel of the elastic stocking with your own heel and rolling it down to the heel.Put your foot into the stockings and pull the stocking up to the heel.
   (Figure 2)
5. Pull the stocking up. Unroll the stockings over your leg. 
   
   (Figure 3)
6. After the top of the stocking is in place, smooth out any wrinkles. 
   (Figure 4)
7. Take off  the compression stockings: hold the top of the stockings from the thigh to the opposite direction and gently pull down from top  to the bottom and also use a pillow to lift your legs above your heart to maintain blood flow.

Care principles:

1. The best time to wear compression stockings is the morning before you get out of bed.If you have ambulated without compression stockings, you should lie down and use a pillow to lift your legs above your heart for 15 minutes. It is better to put the stockings on before off-bed activities.
2. Pull the stockings up 2 inches (5 cm) at a time and unroll the stockings over your leg.
3. Avoiding bunch stockings up, wrinkle. Do not curl up on the top of the stockings to avoid pressure increase affecting the circulation.(If the toe nails become purple, probably the stockings are too tight.)
4. After taking the compression stockings off, lift your legs above your heart for 15 minutes to avoid feeling uncomfortable for the pressure increasing.
5. Every 8 hours should take off the stockings for 15~30 minutes. Be aware of the circulation and the skin condition. If your legs become red, inflammation, pale or feeling of numbness or tingling, stop wearing compression stockings.
6. When putting on and taking off the compression stockings do not let the nail fingertip touch the surface. Take your watch or ring off, preventing the stockings from being damaged.
7. Keep the stockings clean:
   1. Hand wash the stockings in cold or warm water with mild soap or detergent. Never wring. Blot dry in a towel and air dry.
   2. Please do not put your stockings in the washing machine and spin, do not use bleach or dryer or put your stockings under the hot sun.
   3. You can store your stockings in a box to avoid direct sunlight or lighting.
   4. If necessary, choose stockings with exposed toes so as to observe the circulation.

Reference:

1. Dahm, K. T., Myrhaug, H. T., Strømme, H., Fure, B., & Brurberg, K. G. (2019). Effects of preventive use of compression stockings for elderly with chronic venous insufficiency and swollen legs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatrics, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-019-1087-1
2. Prandoni, P., Lensing, A.W.A., Prins, M.H., Villalta, S., Pesavento, R., Tormene, D., Noventa, F. & Palareti, G.(2022). Elastic compression stockings for prevention of the post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with and without residual vein thrombosis and/or popliteal valve reflux. Haematologica, 107(1).303-306.https://doi.org//10.3324/haematol.2021.279680
3. Yang, X., Zhang. X., Yin, M., Wang, R., Lu, X., Ye, K. (2022).Elastic compression stockings to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome in proximal deep venous thrombosis patients without thrombus removal. Journal of Vascular Surgery Venous Lymphat Disord, 10(2), 293-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvsv.2021.06.023