How to choose compression stockings in 5 steps?

Overview

What are compression socks?

Typically, the first question asked by someone who has never worn a medical compression stocking before is:

What do compression socks do?

So, here is a brief description:

Best compression socks from well-known brands are made with a graduated compression fabric.

These materials massage the legs affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). This progressive pressure-based therapy will allow blood to circulate better to the heart.

Men’s or Women’s compression socks are available in three grades or levels of graduated compression.

They are also offered in several lengths, sizes, and models.

How do you get most of the compression socks benefits?

So, to get the most out of compression socks benefits, it's crucial to:

• Choose measured medical grade compression stocking
• With suitable grading,
• The right length,
• The right size, and
• The best-suited materials for you

You can also read our beginner’s guide about compression stockings to learn more about how they work.

Steps to follow in choosing your compression socks

Step 1: Are you looking for compression socks for men or women?

Choose a compression stocking accurately measured to the user's gender and morphology.

Thus, it is essential to go for compression socks designed specifically for women or men, as the case may be.

Step 2: What are compression socks used for?

Women’s and men’s compression socks fall into three main categories.

They are categorized according to their recommended use:

1. Compression socks for running, hiking, or other sport
2. Compression stockings to prevent varicose vein in the legs, or other venous disease
3. Medical compression stocking to help treat varicose veins, spider veins, blood clots, superficial phlebitis, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Step 3: What level of compression socks do I need?

The next step is to choose your compression stockings grade.

The most popular compression socks levels (or grades) are:

• 15 20 mmHg socks
• 20 30 mmHg compression socks,
• 30 40 mmHg compression socks, or
• 40 50 mmHg socks

For people with chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins, their doctor will typically determine the correct levels of compression socks to wear.

mmHg meaning

mmHg means millimeters of mercury. It is a measurement unit used to measure blood pressure.

mmHg is also used as to measure the grades of compression stockings. This will help determine how much the 20 30 mmHg or 30 40 mmHg (or other compression grades) can improve blood pressure.

What's a chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is caused by inadequate blood circulation.

It occurs when dysfunctional vein valves in the leg prevent blood from flowing adequately to the heart.

 Typical venous insufficiency symptoms are:

• Swollen ankles
• Leg pain
• Cramp on leg
• Swollen legs (edema): swelling in legs is felt during the day. It becomes less visible at night and when getting out of bed in the morning
• Itchy leg
• Heavy legs feeling
• Varicose veins in legs
• Venous ulcer

These symptoms are more severe for people with acute venous insufficiency, including phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis.

Choosing compression stockings grading:

The table below shows the most suitable compression stocking grade by the purpose of use and venous insufficiency symptoms:

Table 1: compression socks grading to wear by signs or for which use 

Warning: For people with varicose veins in the leg, superficial phlebitis, or deep vein thrombosis, consult a health professional before wearing compression socks.

Step 4: Length to wear

Depending on the compression brand and style, they are available in four lengths:

1. Ankle compression socks
2. Compression socks for under knees (knee high)
3. Over the knee compression socks (thigh high), and
4. Compression pantyhose (tight)

The suitable length will depend on which parts of your legs are affected by venous insufficiency or varicose veins.

The table below shows how to choose your compression stockings length by body part:

Table 2: Compression socks length to choose by body part

Note: Runner compression socks are only available in knee high length.

Step 5: Sizing for compression socks

At this point, you need to measure the size of your compression socks.

How to measure for compression stockings?

Follow the sizing chart for the compression socks brand and model to measure your size.

Note: How to measure your compression stockings size may differ depending on the chosen stocking model and length.

For Doctor Brace compression socks, you can watch this tutorial on how to measure compression stockings:

Conclusion

Article last updated: April 11, 2024.