How long should I wear 20-30g socks each day?

I have COPD and minor swelling in one ankle. I was prescribed 23-30 gauge socks. How long should I wear them each day? I find my ankle is sore when not wearing them even though the ankle is not swollen.

Answers from doctors (13)


Vein Treatment Clinic

Published on Mar 16, 2020

Regularly during your daily routine, not while laying or sleeping at night. However, your provider should be able to discuss specific instructions for your treatment plan.

All the best.

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Answered by Vein Treatment Clinic

Regularly during your daily routine, not while laying or sleeping at night. However, your provider should be able to discuss specific instructions for your treatment plan.

All the best.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Aug 30, 2012

You get the most benefit from wearing the stockings while you are upright/ on your feet . It is best to have them on throughout the day. There is no harm in wearing them at night.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

You get the most benefit from wearing the stockings while you are upright/ on your feet . It is best to have them on throughout the day. There is no harm in wearing them at night.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Aug 16, 2012

You can safely wear properly fit 20-30 mm (Class 1) stockings during your waking hours for symptomatic relief, removing them at bedtime. If your ankle pain is not relieved by the stockings, have your doctor reconsider the diagnosis. Stocking pressure is not measured in "gauge" but in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Graduated stockings have higher pressure lower down towards the foot and lower pressure toward the thigh, hence two numbers separated by a hyphen (20-30).

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

You can safely wear properly fit 20-30 mm (Class 1) stockings during your waking hours for symptomatic relief, removing them at bedtime. If your ankle pain is not relieved by the stockings, have your doctor reconsider the diagnosis. Stocking pressure is not measured in "gauge" but in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Graduated stockings have higher pressure lower down towards the foot and lower pressure toward the thigh, hence two numbers separated by a hyphen (20-30).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Aug 16, 2012

The ideal answer to this question is: As long as you are on your feet, active and moving about. While you are doing so, the venous system in your lower extremities is pressurized and thus more likely to cause swelling, etc. When you are lying down, the pressure in the venous system of the legs is more equalized.
A good metaphor might be to imagine a long pipe filled with water (representing the veins in your leg). When you hold the pipe vertically, the pressure on the bottom (the end touching the ground) is much higher than the pressure at the top of the pipe. When you lie the pipe down horizontally, the pressure at each end is equalized. To answer your original question though, it would be advisable to wear your compression hose daily while you are up and about even if you do not have edema (swelling). Indeed, that is one of the primary purposes of compression hose; to reduce swelling. That's why it is advisable to put them on as soon as possible after rising in the morning.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

The ideal answer to this question is: As long as you are on your feet, active and moving about. While you are doing so, the venous system in your lower extremities is pressurized and thus more likely to cause swelling, etc. When you are lying down, the pressure in the venous system of the legs is more equalized.
A good metaphor might be to imagine a long pipe filled with water (representing the veins in your leg). When you hold the pipe vertically, the pressure on the bottom (the end touching the ground) is much higher than the pressure at the top of the pipe. When you lie the pipe down horizontally, the pressure at each end is equalized. To answer your original question though, it would be advisable to wear your compression hose daily while you are up and about even if you do not have edema (swelling). Indeed, that is one of the primary purposes of compression hose; to reduce swelling. That's why it is advisable to put them on as soon as possible after rising in the morning.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


You should put them on in the morning before you get any swelling, and you can wear them until bedtime.

Answered by North Country Thoracic & Vascular (View Profile)

You should put them on in the morning before you get any swelling, and you can wear them until bedtime.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Aug 15, 2012

You only need reverse gradient compression while standing or sitting (not in while in bed).

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

You only need reverse gradient compression while standing or sitting (not in while in bed).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Aug 15, 2012

You can wear compression stockings from morning to evening if it makes your legs feel better.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

You can wear compression stockings from morning to evening if it makes your legs feel better.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Aug 15, 2012

Wear compression stockings when out of bed.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Wear compression stockings when out of bed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Aug 15, 2012

Usually we recommend you wear your compression stockings when you are up and around. You should also ask your treating physician.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Usually we recommend you wear your compression stockings when you are up and around. You should also ask your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 15, 2012

There is no specific amount of time to wear them. Try to wear them as often as you can and as long as they feel comfortable. You may want to remove them at night while sleeping. Also, they should be applied first thing in the morning before your legs have a chance to swell.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

There is no specific amount of time to wear them. Try to wear them as often as you can and as long as they feel comfortable. You may want to remove them at night while sleeping. Also, they should be applied first thing in the morning before your legs have a chance to swell.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Aug 14, 2012

If you are wearing compression hose daily to control swelling, your doctor may recommend wearing from morning to night. The best time to apply hose is first thing in the morning before getting out of bed before there is any swelling. There is no time limit on how long you can wear them each day.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

If you are wearing compression hose daily to control swelling, your doctor may recommend wearing from morning to night. The best time to apply hose is first thing in the morning before getting out of bed before there is any swelling. There is no time limit on how long you can wear them each day.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Aug 14, 2012

I would try to wear it most of the day, from the first thing when you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night. It is interesting your swelling is in only one leg. This suggests it is not likely from COPD and I would recommend you have formal vein mapping to evaluate for venous insufficiency.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

I would try to wear it most of the day, from the first thing when you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night. It is interesting your swelling is in only one leg. This suggests it is not likely from COPD and I would recommend you have formal vein mapping to evaluate for venous insufficiency.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Aug 14, 2012

You can wear them all day if fitting comfortably. Also elevate feet as much as possible when sitting. Frequent short walks are good also.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

You can wear them all day if fitting comfortably. Also elevate feet as much as possible when sitting. Frequent short walks are good also.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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