Compression socks are an aid that promotes the well-being and health of the feet, both in cases of increased and prolonged load, as well as in the treatment of varicose veins and other cases. The choice of compression socks is wide, so a physician will help you choose the most suitable ones.

Compression socks are an aid that promotes the well-being and health of the feet, both in cases of increased and prolonged load, as well as in the treatment of varicose veins and other cases. The choice of compression socks is wide, so a physician will help you choose the most suitable ones.

Why wear compression socks?

The name of compression socks already suggests that they are socks designed to put pressure on the feet in order to resolve circulatory problems. Properly selected and correctly worn, they promote venous blood flow towards the heart. This reduces swelling in the legs and does not cause blood clots at the sites of vein dilation. 

Cases when the wearing of compression socks is recommended are as follows:

• for the treatment and prevention of dilated veins,
• for the reduction of oedema and fatigue in people who have to stand for long periods of time at their work,
• for active athletes,
• during pregnancy,
• during childbirth,
• during surgeries,
• during travel and at other times.

Compression socks can be purchased by anyone, but to ensure that they have a therapeutic effect, a consultation with a physician-phlebologist is recommended, who, after assessing the health condition and existing problems of a patient, will recommend socks with individually appropriate pressure.

Furthermore, it is important to know how to properly put on these socks to ensure that they serve both therapeutic and preventive tasks. Experts recommend to put on the compression socks in the morning in the supine position, before fluid has accumulated in the legs. It is not recommended to take them off all day long and to only do it in the evening, while lying down again.

It must be taken into account that initially, while a person gets used to special compression socks, the feeling of pressure can be disturbing and sometimes even unpleasant, but if you get used to them, the unpleasant feelings will disappear over time and the socks will perform their task. And the person who wears them will feel better than before, so it is worth helping your legs.

Compression socks during surgery

Special cases, when compression socks are recommended and sometimes even mandatory, are different surgical operations. Experts explain that this is necessary because surgery is a burden on the whole body, including blood vessels, and it can provoke the development of blood clots, as well as their movement along blood vessels, if blood clots have already developed.

Wearing compression socks during operations is especially important for people with dilated veins of the legs. This problem, as well as the horizontal position of the patient during and after the operation, can lead to the blockage of blood vessels (embolism). It should also be taken into account that anaesthesia used during surgery puts extra strain on blood vessels, and anaesthetic particles circulate in the human body for several days after surgery.

To avoid these problems, physicians recommend using compression socks during surgery. The decisions regarding the cases and pressure levels that require the use of compression socks are made on the basis of an evaluation by physicians, who take the health status of the patient and the location of the intended surgery, as well as various individual nuances, and other factors into account. Furthermore, it is recommended to wear compression socks for several days after surgery to rule out possible post-surgical complications.

Although the range of compression socks is very wide today, it is important to take the recommendations of physicians into account in order to select the most appropriate compression socks for each individual case, thus achieving the maximum preventive and curative effect.

Compression socks are on sale in the widest range, starting from short socks, so called golf socks, to stocking-size stocks, including semi-long and long socks. Each of them will be suitable in specific cases, but if chosen incorrectly, they will fail to fulfil their function.

Photo by Adriana Velásquez on Unsplash