You asked, we answered: Can compression socks ever be harmful?
Question:
Is it safe for older adults to wear compression socks if there’s no medical reason to do so? I’m 66 and first wore them on an overseas trip. I like how my legs feel when I wear them, but I notice some swelling near the top of my knee after taking them off. My vascular scan came back normal. Could wearing compression socks be harmful?
Answer from Nebraska Medicine vascular specialists Jillian Negri, APRN-NP and Jonathan Thompson, MD:
For most people, wearing compression socks is safe, even if they don’t have a diagnosed medical condition. In fact, up to 30% of adults in the U.S. have some degree of venous insufficiency, a condition where blood doesn’t flow back to the heart as easily from the legs. Compression is the main treatment for this, and many people have mild symptoms without realizing it.
Compression socks are only a concern in rare cases, such as in people with severe arterial disease. If you’ve had a vascular scan that came back normal and your legs feel better when you wear compression socks, there’s no reason to avoid them. Just be sure to remove them at night before going to sleep.
Some people notice swelling near the knee when wearing below-the-knee compression socks. This happens because the socks prevent fluid from pooling in the ankles, so the fluid collects at the next lowest point, often the top of the sock. This is common and not harmful. If the swelling is uncomfortable, thigh-high compression socks may help, though they can sometimes slide down during the day.
Compression socks are also highly recommended for long car rides and flights to help prevent leg swelling and reduce the risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT). To further manage swelling, elevating your legs above heart level for 20 minutes a few times a day can be very effective.
Overall, compression stockings are safe for everyday use as long as they don’t cause pain, numbness or color changes in the toes or feet. If any of those symptoms happen, you should stop wearing them and talk with a health care provider.
