How Long To Wear Compression Socks After Surgery: Essential Facts

If you have had a major surgery, you have probably worn compression garments to help with swelling. Remember those long white stockings the doctor gave you before they put you under? Those were likely a medical compression garment called TED Hose. If you were given socks to wear after surgery, those are compression socks, and they are a compression therapy that may prevent blood vessel problems.

Compression socks or stockings improve blood flow out of your legs through the therapeutic pressure they provide.

One classic research report reports that wearing compression garments like socks or stockings can reduce swelling of your feet, calves, ankles, and thighs. Medical researchers have reported that compression socks might prevent problems after surgery like deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and more.

We cover the difference between TED Hose and Compression Socks in another blog. In this article, you will learn how long to wear compression socks after surgery. 

WEARING COMPRESSION SOCKS AFTER SURGERY

You can wear compression socks for as long as you are comfortable. That means you can wear compression socks 24 hours a day if you wanted to. We recommend changing socks daily to keep your feet clean. The same rules apply for recovery from surgery.  Pressure from compression socks can be high to manage pain and post-surgery complications. Be sure to take breaks if you feel uncomfortable.

But how many weeks or months should you wear compression socks after surgery? The answer to this question depends on the kind of surgery you had. Smaller, less invasive surgeries have a faster recovery time and require less time in compression socks. But larger knee, hip, and other surgeries may have a longer recovery and require you to wear compression socks long after surgery. Smaller, sports related injuries can also benefit from compression socks, read more about that here. 

HOW LONG TO WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS AFTER SURGERY 

Your doctor will have recommendations for your specific recovery, but compression socks can reduce pain and swelling in your lower legs after surgery. Recovery from knee or hip surgery comes in phases, the first 3-5 weeks you will see increased swelling and may have pain in your lower leg. This is where compression socks can help.

Because of how compression socks reduce swelling, wearing compression socks after knee surgery can reduce pain and swelling. They can help prevent blood clots and conditions like DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or Pulmonary Embolism. If you have surgery on your leg, ask your doctor about wearing compression socks during your recovery. 

As you return to your normal activity level, compression socks are a fantastic way to keep the swelling down. If you are a senior or taking care of one, using compression socks preventatively can reduce your risk of other health problems. 

What Pressure of COMPRESSION SOCKS To Wear AFTER SURGERY 

Doctor or surgical care teams can often recommend a 20-30 mmHg compression sock, or “medium” compression. Compression levels describe the amount of therapeutic pressure you will feel around your legs. 

If the “squeeze” feels like too much, you may still benefit from lower pressures like 15-20 mmHg. On the other hand, you may need higher pressure like 30-40 mmHg to prevent blood circulation problems.

We offer three compression sock pressures to optimize your comfort.

WHY WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS AFTER SURGERY

After you’ve undergone surgery, you often need to spend time bed-ridden or with reduced activity levels. During this time, there is a higher risk of developing blood clots and of the blood pooling in the lower extremities. Compression socks reduce this risk by applying pressure to the lower legs, improving circulation (according to a scientific study), and helping ensure there is no pooling of blood or other fluid.

Graduated compression socks help push the blood from the legs towards the heart. This helps stimulate healthy circulation throughout the body. This helps ensure that enough oxygen and nutrients travel to your whole body. Compression socks can even reduce discomfort, swelling, or pain.

SHOULD YOU WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS AT NIGHT AFTER SURGERY? 

Yes. After surgery, you should wear compression socks at night. You can wear compression socks to bed if you are comfortable enough to fall asleep. Compression socks are easy to wear and can be personalized to fit comfortably around your legs. This is why we offer 6 different sizes and 4 different fabric types. Compression socks do not work after one use. So, wearing them for weeks or months after surgery is a good idea to help prevent complications during your healing process. However, always consult with your doctor or medical professional for their recommendation. 

CAN YOU WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS for TOO LONG AFTER SURGERY? 

If you do not have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing compression socks, compression socks are safe to wear after surgery for as long as you are comfortable wearing them. But if you have not worn compression socks before or need to wear a high pressure, ramp up the pressure from low to high. The socks may cause discomfort at first, but people quickly get used to wearing them and often find them comfortable because of their great benefits. Be sure to know the signs of discomfort because you may not be wearing the compression socks right.

Signs of wearing compression socks wrong include skin irritation, breakage, and general discomfort. Compression socks should feel tight, but comfortable. Your body will tell you when enough is enough, just make sure to listen! At VIM & VIGR, we carry 4 different fabric types to maximize comfort and reduce irritation to the skin. If you have sensitive skin, our cotton blend is best suited as it is extremely soft. 

As we mentioned before, compression socks can be worn for 24 hours a day, but do not ignore your comfort. When you first start wearing compression socks, gradually work your way into longer periods of wear.

Compression socks use therapeutic pressure on your legs to help blood to circulate through the body without having blood pool in the legs. Compression socks can reduce swelling (edema), and the risk of blood clots and DVT, even if you are healthy (according to a scientific study). Wearing compression socks consistently for at least 6-8 hours is a great goal to work towards to ensure that you can get the full health benefits. When you return to your usual activity, we have compression tights that offer compression up and through the waist to help recovery.  

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU STOP WEARING COMPRESSION SOCKS TOO SOON AFTER SURGERY? 

Compression socks are largely a preventative tool, they prevent swelling, blood clots, and Deep Vein Thrombosis. So aside from discomfort and swelling that will increase if you stop wearing compression socks too soon, you might increase your chances of a blood clot related injury after surgery (when compared to wearing compression socks). Deep Vein Thrombosis or a Pulmonary Embolism (a blood clot in the lungs that most often forms from a clot that's broken off from the leg, arm, or stomach) are major risks that can occur due to poor circulation after surgery. But there are other risks associated with swelling and poor circulation.

Consult with your doctor on their compression sock recommendations, but wearing compression socks consistently for 4-6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) after surgery could give you the benefits you need to prevent circulation problems. Listen to your body if you need breaks from wearing compression socks, removing them for a couple hours. Therefore, finding a pair of compression socks that you enjoy wearing is important. It is important to make sure the material is comfortable, and the overall quality of the sock can fit your needs.  

THE BEST COMPRESSION SOCKS TO WEAR AFTER SURGERY 

On top of offering a variety of compression garments, at VIM & VIGR, we offer our compression socks in a variety of fabrics so you can get the most comfortable socks and get the health benefits you need. Additionally, we offer compression socks for wide calves in every fabric and design. Our compression socks are excellent to wear for after surgery because they are comfortable to wear for extended periods, they are made from high quality fabrics (like merino wool), and they have designs that will blend seamlessly into your wardrobe, so you can continue to wear them to work and other places as you recover. 

As I mentioned before, our compression socks come in cotton, merino wool, nylon, and moisture-wicking nylon. Each fabric has a different feel and purpose, this is what makes our compression socks the best compression socks to wear after surgery. Choosing the right compression sock is important, so read on to find out more about our 4 dynamic fabrics. 

Our 4 functional fabrics are as follows: 

COTTON 

Our 200-needle count cotton blend is soft and made with natural fibers. The flexibility in our cotton fabric allows for our most spunky designs, and many customers report that their feet stay cool while wearing them - even in the summer months! This is because of the light and breathable nature of our cotton compression socks. 

MERINO WOOL 

We use the highest quality (sustainably sourced) Merino Wool for our compression socks. This 200-needle count fabric is known for its moisture-wicking and temperature regulating ways. Customers love this fabric for everyday wear, and for outdoor activities! Our Merino Wool Compression Socks also have a seamless toe, for those who have sensory issues. 

NYLON 

For the longest time, we have knit our nylon socks on a 400-needle count machine, this created a high-quality and sleek feel to the sock, and a 4-way stretch design that is unmatched. In 2022, we released another version of our nylon sock called Choice Nylon. This uses the same fabric as our Classic Nylon socks but leaves a softer feel and allows for more designs. The new design also eliminated the toe seam to maximize your comfort. We will be keeping our Classic and Choice Nylon around for a while, so let us know which one you like better! Check out our Nylon Compression Socks here! 

MOISTURE WICK NYLON 

This high-quality nylon is also great for temperature regulation. It uses a different fabric than our Classic Nylon and Choice Nylon socks and is knit on a 400-needle count machine. These socks give the feeling of stockings and are loved by many of our customers! Our Moisture Wick Nylon Compression Socks offer a 4-way stretch that helps them to stay in place all day. 

Finding your perfect compression socks might take trial and error. Luckily, we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and allow free returns if the sock you try isn’t perfect.  

  Browse stylish and functional post-surgery compression socks online at Vim & Vigr. 

 

References

Morris, R. J., & Woodcock, J. P. (2004). Evidence-based compression: prevention of stasis and deep vein thrombosis. Annals of surgery, 239(2), 162–171. Read it here.

Mosti G. (2013). Post-treatment compression: duration and techniques. Phlebology, 28 Suppl 1, 21–24. Read it here.

Lim, C. S., & Davies, A. H. (2014). Graduated compression stockings. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne, 186(10), E391–E398. Read it here.

Christensen, L. M. R., Arnesen, C. E., Möller, S., & Hyldig, N. (2021). The effect of compression therapy on post-surgical swelling and pain after total knee arthroplasty. International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursing, 41, 100815. Read it here.

Sugahara, I., Doi, M., Nakayama, R., & Sasaki, K. (2018). Acute effect of wearing compression stockings on lower leg swelling and muscle stiffness in healthy young women. Clinical physiology and functional imaging, 10.1111/cpf.12527. Advance online publication. 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.

McNally, M. A., & Mollan, R. A. (1993). Total hip replacement, lower limb blood flow and venous thrombogenesis. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume, 75(4), 640–644. Read it here.