Wearing Compression Socks for Swollen Feet and Ankles

If you have been sitting still in an airplane or been on your feet all day at work,  you will likely get swollen feet and ankles. It might seem like your blood flow is just not working the way you need it to work. Swollen feet, ankles, and legs may not necessarily be painful for everyone. However, this swelling might become uncomfortable or even painful and eventually cause serious health problems like varicose veins, blood clots, edema, or even deep vein thrombosis in the lower legs. 

How can you treat swollen feet and ankles with compression socks? Thanks to the gradual pressure exerted on your lower limbs, wearing compression socks can give you benefits when your feet and ankles are swollen and sore. Also, research shows that compression socks can prevent swollen feet or ankles from causing painful conditions like edema or deep vein thrombosis. 

Read on to find out: 

• How compression socks help swollen feet and ankles
• Why your feet and ankles get swollen
• Benefits of compression socks for swollen feet and ankles

• How to wear compression socks for swollen ankles and feet 
• How to pick the best compression socks for your situation

DO COMPRESSION SOCKS HELP WITH SWOLLEN FEET AND ANKLES? 

Swelling in the lower legs, especially around the feet and ankles, can be extremely uncomfortable. If you do nothing about blood pooling in your lower legs, the swelling can develop into edema (a more serious form of swelling) or, worse, deep vein thrombosis and other uncomfortable and dangerous conditions. 

Thankfully, compression socks for swollen feet can counter the pooling of blood and/or fluid around your lower limbs. Compression socks reduce swelling by stimulating blood flow out of the legs and back towards the heart thanks to the graduated pressure applied on the ankle that slowly eases up towards the knee.  

COMMON CAUSES FOR SWOLLEN FEET AND ANKLES 

Before you pick out a pair of compression socks for swollen ankles or feet, you may be wondering what is causing the swelling and how you can avoid it. Here are common causes of swollen feet and ankles. 

SITTING, STANDING, OR WALKING ALL DAY 

When you spend a long time with your legs not moving, e.g., sitting down, especially in a small space like on a plane, you are more likely to develop swollen ankles and feet. People on long haul flights, where they cannot properly stretch their legs, experience this, as do those who stand around all day – think, for example, at an exhibition if you work in sales. 

Being on your feet all day makes it hard for blood to circulate out of the legs, which can cause additional fatigue and soreness on top of the swollen feet or ankles. This happens with nurses, for example.  One research study found that nurses that wear compression socks have less pain and edema than those that do not.

Hairdressers or stylists also commonly suffer from edema and swollen legs. Another study found that compression of the legs reduces pain, swelling, and fatigue. Hairdressers even reported that compression garments improved their quality of life!

PREGNANCY 

Expecting mothers also experience swelling in their legs and ankles, among other sources of discomfort. Fluid build-up or lack of moving contribute to this, and one medical study found that compression socks prevent edema in your lower legs when pregnant. This can reduce pain, and another study found that compression garments reduce dizziness and nausea in pregnant women. These studies imply that compression socks can improve the quality of life in pregnancy.

MEDICATIONS THAT CAUSE FOOT AND ANKLE SWELLIING

A lesser-known cause for swelling in the feet and ankles is medication. Certain medications, because of how they affect the body, can cause swelling and edema in the lower legs. Calcium channel blockers, like the drug nifedipine, are known to increase the risk of lower leg swelling. In fact, those who take calcium channel blockers are 10 times more likely to develop edema, according to one clinical report. 

Birth control drugs that have hormones like estrogen have been also found to cause edema. The National Cancer Institute stated that cancer treatment is often caused by chemotherapy. One medical report lists many other drugs that could cause edema, which include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• Dopamine Agonists
• Nitrates
• ACE Inhibitors
• Insulin
• Antipsychotics

MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE FOOT AND ANKLE SWELLING

There are many other causes for swollen feet and ankles, and an important one is that swelling or edema can be caused by medical problems. A key clinical report states that the following medical conditions increase the risk of foot and ankle swelling or peripheral edema:

• Vein and artery condition like deep vein thrombosis, compartment syndrome, or chronic venous insufficiency
• Heart conditions like heart failure, pericarditis, or pulmonary hypertension
• Liver failure or cirrhosis
• Kidney failure
• Malnutrition or vitamin deficiency
• Allergic reactions
• Cancer
• Lipedema

If you are not sure why swelling or edema is occurring in your legs, seek the advice of a medical practitioner. You should always consult with a medical specialist if swelling starts suddenly and does not go away naturally. 

Oftentimes, doctors sometimes recommend that patients wear compression socks when recovering from surgery, to prevent blood clots forming in the veins, especially for surgery in the foot or ankle area.    

Additionally, runners and hikers can sprain an ankle by accident. This leads to swelling in the area, which can be treated with rest, ice, and elevation. Wearing compression socks when recovering from a sprained ankle can help with recovery and reduce swelling and discomfort, too.

THE BENEFITS OF COMPRESSION SOCKS FOR SWOLLEN FEET AND ANKLES  

So, what benefits can compression socks bring to those suffering from swollen feet or ankles? Thanks to graduated pressure applied to the lower limbs, compression socks can help treat swollen feet and ankles by stimulating blood flow and reducing inflammation and pain. 

Here are the main benefits of wearing compression socks for swollen feet and ankles: 

• Boost in blood flow, avoiding the creation of blood clots and further swelling
• Gradual reduction in swelling and pain
• Protection from cuts, grazes, or other hazards – especially helpful for those with reduced mobility or for diabetes patients 
• General feeling of wellbeing and lighter legs

• Support during physical activities – better supporting muscles in the lower legs and the ankles
• Improved muscle recovery and athletic performance

HOW TO WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS FOR SWOLLEN ANKLES AND FEET 

When you first start to wear compression socks, we recommend that you consider the type of activity you will be doing when wearing them, as this will influence the material and style of the garment. For example, if hiking, you may prefer Merino wool compression socks that are warm and moisture-wicking, but if you’re just gearing up for a long flight, you might only need a pair of cotton socks. 

It is important to wear compression socks right. Visit our step-by-step guide for putting on your compression socks to be sure you are doing it correctly.

You should start wearing compression socks for 2-3 hours at a time to get comfortable with the feeling of pressure. When you are comfortable, you can then wear them for longer stretches of time. You can then begin to wear your socks as a preventive measure, too, rather than wait until your legs are swollen to do something about it.

HOW LONG CAN YOU WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS? 

There is no time restriction around wearing compression socks but be sure to change them at least once per day. It is also important to listen to your body. If you are getting uncomfortable, be sure to take your socks off to give your legs a break. Once you’re fully comfortable, you can safely wear compression socks for 24 hours at a time, if needed. 

DOES SLEEPING IN COMPRESSION SOCKS HELP SWOLLEN FEET? 

Raising your legs and feet and relaxing after standing or sitting for a long stretch of time can be beneficial for swollen feet. Additionally, keeping compression socks on in bed can continue to stimulate blood circulation and give you other benefits – such as keeping you warm! However, the most important impact from compression socks comes when they are fighting gravity – so when you are sitting or standing, rather than lying down.

CHOOSING THE BEST COMPRESSION SOCKS FOR SWOLLEN FEET AND ANKLES 

To find the best socks for you, here are factors you should consider: 

SIZE

• Compression socks need to feel tight on your ankles and lower limbs, but they should not be uncomfortable. You should consult with a specialist in store and try on different sizes until you find the best fit for you and your condition.

 MATERIAL

• Depending on the activity and the weather conditions, choosing different materials will also give you additional benefits when you wear your compression socks for swollen feet. For example, moisture-wicking Nylon or Merino wool are great for keeping your feet dry and cool in the heat, while cotton goes with any type of weather but might not be ideal for running or hiking. 

COMPRESSION LEVEL

• If you have never worn compression stockings or socks before, you should start by trying moderate pressure levels (15-20 mmHg). This will allow your limbs to adjust to that pressure before going for higher levels of compression. You can use our guide to start with, and also consult with your physician if they are suggesting that you wear compression socks after surgery or for a medical condition.  

You can browse a large variety of fashionable and effective compression socks on our website. Enjoy the pain relief for lighter, better feeling feet and ankles thanks to compression wear! 

Get relief for swollen feet and ankles with stylish compression socks from Vim & Vigr!

References

Partsch, H., Winiger, J., & Lun, B. (2004). Compression stockings reduce occupational leg swelling. Dermatologic surgery: official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 30(5), 737–743. Read it here.

Agu, O., Hamilton, G., & Baker, D. (1999). Graduated compression stockings in the prevention of venous thromboembolism. The British journal of surgery, 86(8), 992–1004. Read it here.

Choi, Y.S. (2015). Effects of the application of lower extremities exercise and elastic compression stockings on edema and pain of lower extremities in nurses. Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial Cooperation Society, 16(11), 8037-8045. Read it here.

Charles, T., Mackintosh, D., Healy, B., Perrin, K., Weatherall, M., & Beasley, R. (2011). Merino wool graduated compression stocking increases lower limb venous blood flow: a randomized controlled trial. Advances in therapy, 28(3), 227–237. Read it here.

Agle, C. G., de Sá, C. K. C., Amorim, D. S., & Figueiredo, M. A. M. (2020). Evaluation of the effectiveness of wearing compression stockings for prevention of occupational edema in hairdressers. Jornal vascular brasileiro, 19, e20190028. Read it here.

Saliba-Júnior, O. A., Rollo, H. A., Saliba, O., & Sobreira, M. L. (2022). Positive perception and efficacy of compression stockings for prevention of lower limb edema in pregnant women. Jornal vascular brasileiro, 21, e20210101. Read it here.

Liang, L., Kung, J. Y., Mitchelmore, B., Cave, A., & Banh, H. L. (2022). Comparative peripheral edema for dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers treatment: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), 24(5), 536–554. Read it here.

Ahrendt, H. J., Karckt, U., Pichl, T., Mueller, T., & Ernst, U. (2007). The effects of an oestrogen-free, desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive in women with cyclical symptoms: results from two studies on oestrogen-related symptoms and dysmenorrhoea. The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care: the official journal of the European Society of Contraception, 12(4), 354–361. Read it here.

Goyal A, Cusick AS, Bhutta BS. Peripheral Edema. [Updated 2023 Aug 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Read it here.