Will knee-high support hose cause additional pain to my already painful legs?

I'm 84 yrs old. My diagnosis is stasis dermatitis with pigmentation and varicosities, though they aren't visible to me. The doctor cannot grasp my legs due to intense pain, also leg cuff. Will wearing compression stockings cause additional pain, or will they help?

Answers from doctors (10)


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Aug 19, 2013

Wearing knee-high compression stockings based on what you are telling me, can possibly cause more pain especially around the knees. Anytime you have a lot of vein disease (it sounds like you do), I only recommend thigh-high or panty hose level compression stockings because they compress everything from ankle to hip/thigh. Wearing knee-highs can place compression or restriction right below the knee, resulting in an increased build up of venous blood in and above the level of the stocking. This causes increased pressure and potential dilation of the abnormal veins in the legs above the stocking; hence, an increase in pain.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Wearing knee-high compression stockings based on what you are telling me, can possibly cause more pain especially around the knees. Anytime you have a lot of vein disease (it sounds like you do), I only recommend thigh-high or panty hose level compression stockings because they compress everything from ankle to hip/thigh. Wearing knee-highs can place compression or restriction right below the knee, resulting in an increased build up of venous blood in and above the level of the stocking. This causes increased pressure and potential dilation of the abnormal veins in the legs above the stocking; hence, an increase in pain.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Aug 19, 2013

You need gradient compression hose with more pressure at the ankle than the calf.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

You need gradient compression hose with more pressure at the ankle than the calf.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Aug 19, 2013

Compression stockings are usually of great help for venous insufficiency as long as you don't also have arterial insufficiency, in which case care must be given to the strength prescribed. Knee-high stockings should do nicely.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Compression stockings are usually of great help for venous insufficiency as long as you don't also have arterial insufficiency, in which case care must be given to the strength prescribed. Knee-high stockings should do nicely.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Aug 18, 2013

Congrats on being 84 yrs old! There are a lot of reasons your legs can hurt. The compression stocking should not cause the pain to be worse. Did you get fitted at a medical supply company? If you have swelling, then until the swelling goes away, the stockings may feel very tight.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Congrats on being 84 yrs old! There are a lot of reasons your legs can hurt. The compression stocking should not cause the pain to be worse. Did you get fitted at a medical supply company? If you have swelling, then until the swelling goes away, the stockings may feel very tight.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Aug 16, 2013

The compression stockings should not cause additional pain if they are fitted correctly.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

The compression stockings should not cause additional pain if they are fitted correctly.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Aug 15, 2013

Wearing compression stockings will most likely help, assuming your discomfort is from venous insufficiency. Have you had an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis? If so and there is improvement in your symptoms with compression, then you should consider endovenous ablation with either laser or radiofrequency.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Wearing compression stockings will most likely help, assuming your discomfort is from venous insufficiency. Have you had an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis? If so and there is improvement in your symptoms with compression, then you should consider endovenous ablation with either laser or radiofrequency.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Aug 15, 2013

Compression stockings may help with your conditions but there is no real way to know unless you try them. Have you asked your doctor this same question?

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Compression stockings may help with your conditions but there is no real way to know unless you try them. Have you asked your doctor this same question?

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 15, 2013

Compression stockings work by applying pressure to the skin, fat and muscles to compress them to increase the venous return to the heart and decrease the venous pressure. The only way you will know if they help or hurt is to try them. Try knee-length with a compression of around 20mmHg. Ideally 30 would be better but these may be too tight for you.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Compression stockings work by applying pressure to the skin, fat and muscles to compress them to increase the venous return to the heart and decrease the venous pressure. The only way you will know if they help or hurt is to try them. Try knee-length with a compression of around 20mmHg. Ideally 30 would be better but these may be too tight for you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Aug 15, 2013

The stocking will most likely have a pleasant effect and lessen the pain you are feeling in your legs.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

The stocking will most likely have a pleasant effect and lessen the pain you are feeling in your legs.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Aug 15, 2013

Compression stockings will help your condition. However, you should have an evaluation by a vein specialist who can determine if you can have some simple outpatient procedures that can reduce or eliminate your symptoms completely.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Compression stockings will help your condition. However, you should have an evaluation by a vein specialist who can determine if you can have some simple outpatient procedures that can reduce or eliminate your symptoms completely.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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