How long should you wear compression socks after surgery?
How long to use compression after surgery?
Usually, compression socks are worn for about 2-8 weeks after surgery. You should wear the stockings at all times except showering and bathing.
Which socks to wear and how long you should wear them depends on your type of injury or ailment. You should always consult a doctor and follow your doctor's recommendation for your condition.
Here are the most common compression socks and treatment times for common conditions:
Groin or Hamstring Injury
Wear the knee-high sock 20-30mmHg all day for about four weeks, but not while sleeping. If pain persists, you can move down to the 10-20mmHg
Calf Strain
Wear the knee-high sock 20-30mmHg for 8-12 hours a day for about 4 weeks, but not while sleeping.
Knee Injury
Wear the knee-high sock 20-30mmHg all day for about 6 weeks, but not while sleeping.
Hip Surgery
Your doctor may recommend the knee-high sock either 20-30mmHg or 30-40mmHg. The socks should be worn all day for about 6 weeks. Your doctor may recommend that you sleep in the stockings and only take them off to wash them. Buy two pairs to have another pair to wear while cleaning one.
Knee Surgery
Ankle Sprain or Break
Wear the crew sock 10-20mmHg for 8-12 hours a day for about 4 weeks, but not while sleeping.
How long should you wear compression stockings after major surgery?
Surgery in which you are under anesthesia for more than 90 minutes will affect your mobility and increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Doctors recommend wearing compression socks day and night, only taking them off to wash and change them for 6 weeks after surgery for most, but not all, patients. Please consult your doctor for specific recommendations, who is familiar with your particular health requirements.
Other common conditions treated by compression socks are:
- Varicose Veins
- Edema (Swelling in your legs and feet)
- DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
- Lymphedema
- Kidney Disease
- RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)
What are compression socks?
Compression socks are specially designed medical socks that help improve blood flow, reduce swelling and help speed up recovery after surgeries.
The purpose of compression socks after surgery
Quicker healing
By keeping the skin and the body in their places, you are creating a safer healing environment. Compression garments are similar to bandages because they stay in place once you put them on. So, if you have an incision from the surgery, it will heal quicker.
Better blood flow
Also, compression socks boost circulation, and good circulation means restorative healing after surgery and gets your blood back to the affected areas.
Swelling reduction
After the surgery, the body sends thousands of cells and a lot of fluid to help heal the area. This leads to swelling. Especially if the body part is lower extremity, edema or swelling is a body's normal response to an injury or surgery. Compression socks are one of the best treatments for edema.
Lower chances of infections
Compression garments also act like bandages. When you put on a band-aid, you do it to stop the bleeding and protect the wound from getting dirty. Compression garments fit tightly around the body, restricting environmental factors from getting to it. They are also usually made from moisture-wicking cooling materials, so they don't let sweat build up.
Smoother and finer scars
Keeping the skin in one place and not letting it stretch out, compression socks and garments can help tone down the scar and help it heal better.
Prevention of DVTs
Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside your body. A blood clot is a clump of blood that thickens into a solid mass, making blood circulation slower. Deep vein blood clots usually form in the lower part of the legs, the calf, or thigh. Surgery of the leg, hip, or abdomen is a DVT risk factor.
Skineez® are the ONLY FDA-approved and clinically proven compression garments to wear after surgery.
Skineez® compression socks use Micro-Encapsulation technology which makes the fabrics ultra-soft, supple, and clinically proven to firm, moisturize, and protect your skin. Skineez® socks provide maximum comfort, support, and skin protection while you recover from your surgery.
Compression socks come in many levels of compression. Many factors are in the question when you are choosing the level you need. Most commonly, your doctor will suggest or prescribe a certain level of compression. It all depends on the type of surgery and the area of the surgery. It also depends on your overall health previous to the surgery and post-surgery.
Skineez® compression socks are available in
- 10-20 mmHg (mild to moderate compression )
- 20-30 mmHg (firm compression)
- 30-40 mmHg (extra firm compression)
The level of compression should be considered with the recommended time of wearing compression socks and with your individual condition such as varicose veins.
Level of compression socks:
Here is a quick guide to different levels of compression. Your doctor will provide the specific guidance for your condition.
What else are compression socks used to treat?
The benefits of compression socks are numerous, and their use is widely spread. Here are some benefits of compression socks:
- They can be helpful for people that are working long hours sitting or standing
- They can help improve slow circulation and reduce cold feet
- They are suitable for treating swelling caused by edema or lymphedema
- They can help fight muscle cramps
- They help the elderly maintain a healthy level of mobility
- They are the number one treatment for vein problems
- They are a usual side treatment for patients recovering from a surgery
Compression socks after surgery & Skineez®
Michelle Moran founded SKINEEZ compression garments in 2007. Michelle developed a unique idea after her own experience with a post-surgery compression garment recommended to her by her doctor. Michelle felt uncomfortable and experienced pain while wearing the garment, making her realize a need to solve this problem. She then introduced Micro-Encapsulation technology to compression garments and combined skincare, comfort, and compression.
Through clinical studies with Skineez® Skincarewear®, she was able to show an increase of 19% in the skin's elasticity and create true comfort while wearing the garments.
In 2021, Skineez® is still the only brand that combines these two areas of the health industry. Michelle's idea helped many men and women have a more comfortable post-surgical recovery and feel better in their skin.
Skineez's garments are all designed with the help of medical professionals and surgeons. Check out Skineez® Skincarewear compression.
