I can't get my compression stockings on. Is there a trick besides a big butler?

Answers from doctors (14)


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jul 03, 2012

If your stockings are open-toe, a slipper (often provided with the stocking) can help get it past the ankle. Using special rubber gloves can then assist in working the stocking up the leg without tearing them. The
process gets easier with practice. The butler is helpful mainly for people with arthritis, weak hand-grip, or a bad back.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

If your stockings are open-toe, a slipper (often provided with the stocking) can help get it past the ankle. Using special rubber gloves can then assist in working the stocking up the leg without tearing them. The
process gets easier with practice. The butler is helpful mainly for people with arthritis, weak hand-grip, or a bad back.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vein Clinic

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Yes, I like the "slippie gator" that can be used easily with open toe hose. Turning the hose inside out and getting the foot in place is also a good approach for closed toe hose. Silicon lotion and using rubber gloves is also very helpful.

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Answered by The Vein Clinic

Yes, I like the "slippie gator" that can be used easily with open toe hose. Turning the hose inside out and getting the foot in place is also a good approach for closed toe hose. Silicon lotion and using rubber gloves is also very helpful.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Keep your feet bone dry, apply powder to your feet and get a box of latex gloves from the drug store or home depot. When you start putting them on, first just get the hose over the toes, then over the heel to set the
heel, and then work them up the calf and then the thigh. They should be difficult to put on since they are compression hose.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

Keep your feet bone dry, apply powder to your feet and get a box of latex gloves from the drug store or home depot. When you start putting them on, first just get the hose over the toes, then over the heel to set the
heel, and then work them up the calf and then the thigh. They should be difficult to put on since they are compression hose.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Yes there are other devices to use. Gloves, Juzo sleeve, and not letting them "bunch" up while putting them on.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Yes there are other devices to use. Gloves, Juzo sleeve, and not letting them "bunch" up while putting them on.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Yes, there are many tricks. If you are able to reach your feet without a problem try these tricks. Firstly we recommend using gloves (disposable work fine) as they give you better grip and protect hose from snags).
Secondly: open-toe hose are somewhat easier as you can use a footslip or scarf to help them slide on. For close toe stockings,, sometimes a little talcum powder makes the skin a little more slick so you can slide on the hose more easily. Thirdly: We turn the stockings inside out, push the foot back into the stocking to above the heel. Grip each side and pull until the heel is in place. Then grab the hose about 6 inches up and pull that section into place firmly, take another 6 inches and repeat until they are up.
This works the best with thigh-length hose. Pantyhose are always more difficult, so we try to recommend thigh hose.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Yes, there are many tricks. If you are able to reach your feet without a problem try these tricks. Firstly we recommend using gloves (disposable work fine) as they give you better grip and protect hose from snags).
Secondly: open-toe hose are somewhat easier as you can use a footslip or scarf to help them slide on. For close toe stockings,, sometimes a little talcum powder makes the skin a little more slick so you can slide on the hose more easily. Thirdly: We turn the stockings inside out, push the foot back into the stocking to above the heel. Grip each side and pull until the heel is in place. Then grab the hose about 6 inches up and pull that section into place firmly, take another 6 inches and repeat until they are up.
This works the best with thigh-length hose. Pantyhose are always more difficult, so we try to recommend thigh hose.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Very thin nylons on the foot and ankle (you can cut off the foot part of a pantyhose), powder, wearing rubber gloves to help grip them. If open toe stockings, there are slider devices that help, and then you pull that out from the open toe.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Very thin nylons on the foot and ankle (you can cut off the foot part of a pantyhose), powder, wearing rubber gloves to help grip them. If open toe stockings, there are slider devices that help, and then you pull that out from the open toe.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 03, 2012

With open toe stockings several manufacturers make a "donner" to help the stocking slide on. Bauerfeind makes such a device.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

With open toe stockings several manufacturers make a "donner" to help the stocking slide on. Bauerfeind makes such a device.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Jul 03, 2012

The following can help: Powder, rubber gloves, Donner. Look online at compression stocking web sites where they have these and other aids.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

The following can help: Powder, rubber gloves, Donner. Look online at compression stocking web sites where they have these and other aids.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Rubber Gloves. If they are open toe, you can cut the corner of a plastic bag and put it over your foot to cover your heel. Once the stocking is on, slide the stocking back and pull the bag off.

Answered by North Country Thoracic & Vascular (View Profile)

Rubber Gloves. If they are open toe, you can cut the corner of a plastic bag and put it over your foot to cover your heel. Once the stocking is on, slide the stocking back and pull the bag off.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Austin Vein Specialists

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Yes, there is a trick (as long as they are "open toe" stockings). Put a smooth plastic bag over your toes and lower foot. Pull the entire stocking up over the foot and plastic bag. Then pull the stocking up the leg. As a final step, pull the plastic bag out of the end (toe side) of the stocking. Since getting the stocking up over the toes and foot is the trickiest and most difficult part, this trick really helps, since it makes getting the stockings up over the foot easy.

Answered by Austin Vein Specialists (View Profile)

Yes, there is a trick (as long as they are "open toe" stockings). Put a smooth plastic bag over your toes and lower foot. Pull the entire stocking up over the foot and plastic bag. Then pull the stocking up the leg. As a final step, pull the plastic bag out of the end (toe side) of the stocking. Since getting the stocking up over the toes and foot is the trickiest and most difficult part, this trick really helps, since it makes getting the stockings up over the foot easy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Use dish-washing gloves to pull on your stockings.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Use dish-washing gloves to pull on your stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Jun 17, 2012

Prescribed compression stockings need to be measured properly to get the right fit. Seek a facility that takes the time to measure your legs and show you how to apply them.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Prescribed compression stockings need to be measured properly to get the right fit. Seek a facility that takes the time to measure your legs and show you how to apply them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

Published on May 30, 2012

Consider a donner, which assists with wearing compression stockings. They are available at most medical supply stores.

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Answered by Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

Consider a donner, which assists with wearing compression stockings. They are available at most medical supply stores.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 24, 2012

Some people use rubber gloves to assist them. Many companies have assisting devices available. Try the rubber gloves first. If unsuccessful, then try contacting your compression stocking company for customer support.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Some people use rubber gloves to assist them. Many companies have assisting devices available. Try the rubber gloves first. If unsuccessful, then try contacting your compression stocking company for customer support.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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