“Do compression socks help varicose veins?”
I have varicose veins on both of my legs, and I heard compression socks might be able to help. How well do they work?
6 Answers
PhlebologistVaricoseVeins
20 mm of water pressure stockings preferably thigh high are the first line symptomatic treatment for Varicose veins of legs. You wear 8 to 12 hours per day. But they definitely help the swelling from extravasation of fluid in legs.
Compression socks do help patients with varicose veins. They do not make them go away, but slow the progress, prevent complications like blood clots, ulceration and dermatitis.
They are the first line and most important treatment.
They can help with consistency.
Of course they do. They help to override the increase in local tissue pressure thereby assuring passive return. This would also decrease nighttime need to urinate.
Compression hosiery do help prevent the progression of varicose veins, but don't necessarily prevent them. I should wear hosiery daily, but I don't because putting them on is not easy. By hosiery, I'm referring to 15-20mmHg compression. I prescribe 20-30mmHg hosiery to my operative patients.
