![]() And of the patients who underwent compression therapy alone, 36% of patients had opted to undergo vein surgery after the trial ended.⁴Īnother way to look at the long-term effects of compression therapy is to examine their effect on venous stasis ulceration, the ‘end-stage’ complication of vein disease. One such study done over two years in Finland showed that patients who underwent surgery had a significant reduction in symptoms and improvement in quality of life measures such as itching, appearance, ability to perform daily activities and swelling. Studies examining both compression stocking therapy and venous surgery have demonstrated the differences in efficacy between passive management (compression) and proactive vein treatment (surgery). Skin breakdown if the stockings are too tightįungal infections if the skin is not cleaned properly or if an open wound is presentĬontact dermatitis if allergic to stocking materialĬompression Stockings Do Not Cure Vein Disease Challenges include:ĭiscomfort wearing stockings on warm daysĪnother study found that compression stockings can cause a number of uncomfortable side effects,² including: ³ The investigators of this review cited a number of reasons why patients have a hard time keeping up with compression therapy. A literature review published by the European Society of Vascular Surgery in 2017 found that patient compliance with compression stockings was only 66%, and patients were more likely to be compliant when prescribed lower degrees of compression. Many patients find that keeping up with compression therapy for varicose veins is difficult. ![]() ![]() Care must be taken to not get them wet, and any open sores or ulcers that may be present on the legs must be cleaned and bandaged before putting on the stockings. Most physicians recommend wearing them throughout the day and only taking them off at night before sleeping. Because swelling increases when sitting or walking, stockings must be worn throughout the entire day to have maximum benefit. This external pressure is meant to ease blood flow through the veins by creating a more favorable pressure gradient across the vein.¹ This mode of action may alleviate symptoms and may prevent further worsening of vein disease.²Ĭompliance with Compression Stockings Can Be ChallengingĬompression stockings are only effective while they are worn. This phenomenon is called venous reflux, and leads to a variety of symptoms like bulging varicose veins, spider veins, swelling, and cramping.Ĭompression stockings work by applying external pressure on the veins. As a person ages, the veins are subjected to stresses that can cause the valves to weaken and stop working, causing blood to flow backwards and pool in the veins. In a healthy vein, tiny valves along the course of the vein open and close to prevent backflow. The comparative data between compression stockings and curative vein treatments The challenges and limitations of compression stockings for varicose veins How compression stockings may help manage varicose veins To help explain the role of compression therapy versus more effective vein treatments, we take a look at why compression stockings are prescribed, their limitations, and what the clinical evidence has taught us about their efficacy. These limitations can lead physicians to believe that they’re effectively managing their patients’ vein problems with a simple compression therapy prescription when in reality, vein disease may be progressing as it would without any prescription at all. Even when patients strictly adhere to their compression therapy, stockings are unlikely to be a curative treatment for vein disease. ![]() While compression stockings can provide effective symptom relief for some, many patients find them uncomfortable and have a hard time staying compliant with their treatment plan. Compression stockings have been a standard treatment for varicose veins for many decades, and are still prescribed today as a first-line therapy to manage symptoms and prevent the progression of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
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