Compression stockings: how to choose and wear them

They only work if they fit and you can get them on. A few practical tips make all the difference.

Compression stockings squeeze the leg most firmly at the ankle and less towards the knee, helping the veins push blood upwards. The strength and length should be prescribed for you. Measure the ankle and calf in the morning, before the leg swells.

Put them on first thing in the morning. Turn the stocking inside out down to the heel, slip your foot in, then roll it up gradually without bunching. Rubber gloves make gripping much easier. Take them off at night.

Wash them by hand and replace them every three to six months, as they lose pressure over time. If you have diabetes, numbness in the feet or known artery disease, check with the doctor first: compression is not safe for everyone.