I treat a huge amount of patients who are suffering with chronic vein pathologies. With most of the vein conditions, patients will benefit from using compression stockings.

However, it is one of my biggest challenges convincing them to wear this hosiery! Patients complain about the thickness and heat, but the most common complaint is that they are too difficult to get on and off. Thankfully there are now aids that can be purchased to help with this process and good guidelines are usually in the packaging.

There are also socks and stockings that can be zipped up, and this makes the process of getting them on a lot easier. Compression stockings are designed to prevent the occurrence and guard against the further progression of venous disorders. They are made using extremely strong elastic that creates significant pressure on the limb. They are tightest at the ankle and become less so towards the knee.

When the valves in the veins are damaged, it becomes difficult for the blood to move back up towards the heart as it fights against gravity. This means the blood and fluid pools around the ankles, and calves become varicosed and have a twisted rope-like appearance with a purplish hue. Other vein conditions that benefit from compression stockings include deep vein thrombosis, venous insufficiency, spider veins, swollen ankles, phlebitis, lymphedema, and economy class syndrome which occurs on long flights where the blood flow slows down due to inactivity and gravity. Compression stockings are often used on patients undergoing surgery to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Compression stockings can cause damage to people with reduced arterial blood supply, so they are not recommended for those patients. Also, patients who have neuropathy, heart failure and congestive heart disease should not wear them.

It is important to note that if you lose weight and your legs become thin, the stockings won’t work, so you would need to get a smaller size. Avoid them if you have a latex or rubber allergy as they can aggravate the situation.

Compression stockings or socks need to be worn long term to be effective. If your doctor has recommended them, it is important that you persevere and get used to wearing them. It is advised that you do not wear them at night unless your doctor has told you to do so specifically.To aid the flow of your blood while in bed, consider sleeping with a couple of pillows underneath you heels.

Angela Davis BSc (Hons) DPodM MChS is a podiatrist with offices in Montego Bay (293- 7119), Mandeville (962-2100), Ocho Rios (974-6339), Kingston (978-8392), and Savanna-la-Mar (955-3154). She is a member of the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom.