Dear Doc,
What is the purpose of pressure stockings? What do they really do? –
Clara Dear Clara,
Compression stockings work by applying constant pressure to your lower limbs, that is your leg and thigh area, to help the return of blood to the heart.
Individuals who would benefit from using these stockings are those with what is often called “poor circulation;” the correct medical term is Chronic Venous Insufficiency. In this condition blood reaches your distal areas such as legs and feet but has difficulty returning.
Blood is returned to the heart by veins and veins have valves in them, which help push the blood along. However, with time, and individuals who stand or sit for prolonged periods this system may malfunction. It is easy to think of the vein wall as an overstretched sock or pantyhose that no longer stays up on the calf. In a way, compression stockings work like a women’s garter or the garter worn around the socks of cub scouts.
It helps hold the vein but in addition it squeezes the vein applying pressure, which helps push the blood back up.
Individuals with this condition often have varicose veins, which are distended veins that are seen under the surface of the skin. At first, they are very small but with time they can enlarge and can lead to complications. Some may become tortuous and have a snake like pattern, some can become distended and can be felt. Over time some of the complications include cool feet and swollen limbs bilaterally. In very severe cases this may lead to ulcers on the legs.
