Compression Socks And Stockings: Benefits, Types & Side Effects

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What to Know About Compression Socks and Stockings

Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on September 4, 2024

Benefits
How they work
Types
Side effects
Takeaway

Compression socks apply pressure to your lower legs. This can help to increase blood flow and boost circulation, which can be especially helpful if you have venous insufficiency.

Compression socks and stockings are designed for compression therapy. They apply gentle pressure to your legs and ankles, promoting blood flow from your legs to your heart.

Compression socks can also reduce pain and swelling in your ankles and legs.

Read on to learn about the health benefits of compression socks, how they work, different types of socks, and side effects to be aware of.

Benefits of compression socks

Your doctor may prescribe compression socks to:

boost circulation in your legs
improve blood flow in your leg veins
diminish leg swelling
reduce orthostatic hypotension, which causes lightheadedness or unsteadiness when you stand
help prevent venous ulcers
prevent development of deep vein thrombosis in your legs
help lessen the pain caused by varicose veins
reverse venous hypertension
improve lymphatic drainage

How do compression socks work?

Compression stockings apply pressure to your legs and ankles, which may:

reduce the diameter of major veins by increasing the volume and velocity of blood flow
help blood flow up toward the heart
help prevent blood from refluxing downward to the foot or laterally into superficial veins

Types of compression stockings

The three primary types of compression stockings are:

graduated compression stockings
anti-embolism stockings
nonmedical support hosiery

Graduated compression stockings

In graduated compression stockings, the level of compression is strongest at the ankle and gradually decreases towards the top. They’re designed for mobility and to meet certain length and strength medical specifications.

Graduated compression stockings typically require a professional fitting.

Stockings that end just below the knee help limit peripheral edema, or lower leg swelling due to fluid buildup.

Stockings that extend to the thigh or waist help reduce pooling of blood in the legs and help prevent orthostatic hypotension.

Some suppliers offer features for personal preferences, such as color, and a choice of open- or closed-toe.

Depending on individual needs, graduated compression stockings come in different classes, which are based on the measurement of pressure at the ankle level:

Class 1. Under 20 mm Hg of pressure
Class 2. 20-30 mm Hg of pressure
Class 3. 30 mm Hg of pressure or higher

Anti-embolism stockings

Anti-embolism stockings reduce the possibility of deep vein thrombosis.

Like graduated stockings, they provide gradient compression. However, the level of compression differs, depending on the individual need. Anti-embolism stockings are designed for those who aren’t mobile.

Nonmedical support hosiery

Nonmedical support hosiery don’t typically require a prescription. They include elastic support hose and flight socks sold as potential relief for tired, aching legs.

These deliver uniform compression that exerts less pressure than prescription compression stockings.

You can find nonmedical compression stockings at most pharmacies or online.

Generally, non-medical compression socks use low compression or 15mg-20mg of pressure.

Side effects of compression socks

If your doctor has prescribed compression stockings, check your legs daily for areas of skin changes, such as irritation or redness. These changes could indicate that:

your stockings don’t fit properly
you’re not putting on or taking off your stockings properly
you have an infection
you’re allergic to the stocking material

It’s important to get a proper prescription and be sure to use compression stockings and socks properly.

According to a 2014 case report, improperly worn compression stockings have the potential to cause problems, such as breaking the skin.
A 2007 study cited reports of peripheral nerve damage associated with misuse of compression stockings.
According to a 2014 article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, if you have impaired arterial flow, using compression stockings can worsen ischemia, or inadequate oxygenated blood flow.

The takeaway

Compression stockings apply pressure to your legs and ankles to promote blood flow from your lower extremities to your heart.

If your doctor prescribes compression stockings to help you with a condition such as venous insufficiency, remember to:

get fitted properly
follow instructions for properly putting on and removing them
follow all your doctor’s instructions, including when and how long to wear them
monitor any skin changes in the areas that come in contact with the stockings

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Hirate H, et al. (2007). Peripheral nerve injury caused by misuse of elastic stockings. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Peripheral+nerve+injury+caused+by+misuse+of+elastic+stockings.-a0188796860
Lim CS, et al. (2014). Graduated compression stockings.https://www.cmaj.ca/content/186/10/E391
Roberton BF, et al. (2014). Side effects of compression stockings: A case report.https://bjgp.org/content/64/623/316
What is compression therapy? (n.d.).https://www.veinforum.org/patients/what-is-vein-disease/what-is-compression-therapy/

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Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on September 4, 2024

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Types

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Benefits of compression socks

How do compression socks work?

Types of compression stockings

Graduated compression stockings

Anti-embolism stockings

Nonmedical support hosiery

Side effects of compression socks

The takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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