Compression hosiery are elastic stockings that squeeze the leg to help blood and fluid move upward, reducing swelling and improving circulation.
Compression hosiery — also called compression stockings, pressure stockings, or graduated compression stockings — are elastic garments worn on the leg. They apply the highest pressure at the ankle and gradually less pressure moving up toward the calf or knee. That gradient is the whole point. It helps veins push blood back toward the heart when they need a hand, and it keeps fluid from pooling in the lower leg.
How Compression Hosiery Works
Your leg veins rely on muscle movement and one-way valves to move blood upward, against gravity. When those valves weaken or the veins stretch, blood pools and fluid leaks into surrounding tissue. Graduated compression counteracts that by physically squeezing the leg, with the firmest pressure at the ankle where pooling starts and lighter pressure above it that encourages flow upward.
The result is better venous return, less swelling, and relief in conditions where circulation is the problem. A clinical review in the British Medical Journal describes the mechanism the same way: compression supports the calf muscle pump and reduces venous reflux, which is why it works for venous insufficiency, chronic oedema, varicose veins, and venous leg ulcers. Some people also wear them after a DVT to lower the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome.
Compression strength is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg), the same unit used for blood pressure. Under the British Standard system used in most prescribing guidance:
| Compression Class | Pressure Range | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 14–17 mmHg | Mild swelling, tired legs, varicose veins |
| Class 2 | 18–24 mmHg | Moderate venous insufficiency, oedema |
| Class 3 | 25–35 mmHg | Severe insufficiency, venous ulcers |
Higher classes are reserved for more severe disease — the compression strength and the length of the garment should match how serious the symptoms are.
How To Put On And Care For Compression Hosiery
The right application technique matters as much as the stocking itself. MedlinePlus patient instructions recommend putting stockings on first thing in the morning, after showering or bathing and before swelling has a chance to develop. Remove watches and jewellery first so you don’t snag the fabric, and rubber gloves help you grip it without pulling holes.
The standard application sequence:
- Turn the stocking inside out down to the heel pocket.
- Pull the foot over your foot, with the heel sitting in the heel pocket.
- Lift the fabric up over your heel, then pull it evenly up the calf.
- Smooth out any wrinkles — bunched fabric creates pressure points that can dig in.
Wash the stockings at least once a week following manufacturer instructions. Skip detergents and fabric softeners, which can irritate your skin and damage the elastic fibres.
When you’re ready to compare options, our roundup of the best compression hosiery covers the top-rated stockings by class and condition.
Who Should Not Wear Compression Hosiery
Compression hosiery is not safe for everyone. Clinical guidance says it should not be used in symptomatic peripheral arterial disease — a condition where leg arteries are narrowed and the extra squeeze would cut off blood flow rather than help it. A prescribing guide from South Tees Hospitals states that arterial insufficiency should be ruled out using the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) before prescribing.
One more distinction worth knowing: nonmedical “support hosiery” and flight socks are not the same thing. They may feel snug, but they don’t deliver the graduated, calibrated pressure of a medical compression stocking — and for treating a diagnosed condition, they’re not a substitute.
References & Sources
- MedlinePlus. “How to Put on Compression Stockings.” Patient instructions on application timing, technique, and care.
- BMJ (via PubMed Central). “Compression stockings for the treatment of venous leg ulcers.” Clinical review of mechanism, classes, and indications.
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. “Prescribing Compression Hosiery.” Guidance on ABPI thresholds and contraindications in peripheral arterial disease.