Nowadays , no matter how the surgical method of varicose veins is improved, varicose vein socks are the basic method for treating varicose veins and chronic venous diseases of the lower extremities. Here is a brief introduction to some methods of using varicose vein stockings.

For the conservative treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities, a very important way is to use medical elastic stockings, which are called graduated elastic compression stockings (GEC), or graduated compression stockings（GCS）. or in some cases, an external elastic bandage will be used for compression.

In the 1850s, a doctor discovered that when standing in swimming pool, symptoms were relieved, so gradient compression socks were designed to simulate the hydrostatic pressure in the swimming pool.

Who is suitable for elastic stocking treatment?

Those with mild or no obvious symptoms of varicose veins;

Compression therapy after varicose vein surgery;

Soreness of lower limbs caused by venous system disease;

Walkers or exercisers;

Pregnant women (there are many such patients whose symptoms will be alleviated or disappear by themselves after delivery due to the decrease of abdominal pressure);

Persons who stand or sit for a long time (all kinds of office personnel, teachers, medical care, police, etc., pay attention to prevention).

Who is not suitable for elastic stockings treatment?

Leg and foot infections;

Patients with arteriosclerosis or arterial ischemic disease;

For patients with congestive heart failure or renal insufficiency, edema of both lower extremities caused by cardiac insufficiency or other medical system diseases;

Acute phase of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis;

Those who are allergic to compression stocking materials;

In other special cases, you should listen to the advice of professional doctors (there are some outpatient appointment methods of professional doctors below the article).

How to choose different pressure?

The pressure of varicose veins stocking is the greatest at the ankle, and the pressure decreases as it goes up. Generally speaking, the pressure of varicose veins socks refers to the pressure of the ankle. Therapeutic compression stockings are designed with four different compression types, each with a defined therapeutic range.

Low pressure (18mmHg): It is suitable for daily health care and prevention of varicose veins, venous edema and people with high risk of sitting for a long time;

Class 1 (therapeutic type 20-30mmHg): suitable for superficial varicose veins of lower limbs, mild edema of lower limbs and treatment of varicose veins after surgery;

Class 2 (30-40mmHg), class 3 (40-50mmHg): obvious varicose veins of lower extremities, severe varicose veins during pregnancy, post-deep vein thrombosis syndrome of lower extremities, irreversible lymphedema, etc. For varicose veins of the lower extremities, secondary pressure is suitable for most cases.

Now there are higher-level pressure options, Class 4 (50-60mmHg), but this is usually only used for the treatment of chronic lymphedema, or the treatment of burn scars.

Note：the treatment of chronic venous disease requires at least class 1 pressure to be effective. In the hospital, some patients use a white “anti-thrombotic” socks, which can only provide a pressure of 8-10mmHg at the ankle, which is effective for the primary prevention of deep vein thrombosis, but it is not suitable for venous insufficiency. In other words, it does not provide adequate treatment.

How to choose the size?

The proper size can function more effectively. Generally, the size of elastic stockings is selected according to the circumference of these parts, such as the ankle, the thickest part of the calf, and the thigh. The best time to measure is in the morning, when the degree of edema in the legs is the lowest.