It may seem cruel but it works

Question: Why do I have to wear support stockings?

Answer: Almost all of our patients dislike the stockings that are required in the treatment of many leg problems. If you are confined to bed or unable to walk, your doctor will order a specific type of stocking that is designed to prevent blood clots. These are the anti-embolic (anti-clot) stockings you get at the hospital. These stockings have a uniform compression from toe to thigh.

The stockings used in chronic venous insufficiency, or varicose veins, are called “gradient compression stockings.” The pressure at the ankle is high, while the pressure at the thigh is low. This gradient in pressure causes blood to flow up the leg in a normal way as you walk.

A comprehensive evaluation is required to demonstrate venous insufficiency. This is accomplished with an ultrasound mapping of the veins.

If you have leg symptoms, you should have a complete evaluation and, perhaps, gradient compression stockings will be required until the problem is corrected.

As you may have heard, we do a complete evaluation at the Ashton Vein Center, and the treatments are designed to address each individual patient’s problem. The use of stockings is an inconvenient, yet necessary, step in the treatment sequence.