Do Compression Stockings Help Prevent Varicose Veins?

Question

Do compression stockings really help with varicose veins? It seems to me they are making things worse. My veins are getting closer to the surface at much quicker speed than before. At loss on what to do. My appointment with my doctor for Varicose veins treatment is still on June 17th.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Short stretch elastic compression stockings reduce ambulatory venous hypertension and improve calf muscle pump function, thus reducing the progression of venous disease and improving symptoms. Compression stockings will not eradicate varicose veins. A trained phlebologist will best be able to address your concerns with an in-office duplex examination.

Joseph J. Castellano, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Compression stockings can help prevent varicose veins from worsening. They accomplish this by stimulating blood circulation in the legs with gradual pressure, helping the blood move back up the legs to the heart. However, compression stockings almost never help existing varicose veins improve or work as a comprehensive vein treatment. To get rid of the veins entirely, you will need sclerotherapy. Good luck.

Charles K. Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Compression stockings may not fully prevent varicose veins, but can alleviate symptoms and buy you some time before you require more agressive treatment.  Varicose vein etiology is complex (genetics, occupation, age, sex, etc) and compression stockings are part of the treatment options. Do not feel frustrated by the situation right now!  There have many advances in the treatment of varicose veins in the past 10 years.  
Use of a duplex doppler can identify venous reflux and new tehnologies with endovenous laser treatments make treatment much more simple.  EVLT (endovenous laser treatment) can be performed in the office, under local anesthesia, and you can walk out of the office and return to work the next day. Compare this to vein stripping whcih is performed in the hospital, under general anesthesia, and may require several days of strict bedrest!  Varicose vein treatment has come a long way!

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

Compression stockings help alleviate the symptoms of venous disease.  Compression stockings do help to improve circulation and thus slow down the progression of the disease. However, they do not fix the problem. I do recommend that you see a vein specialist to undergo a vein evaluation.

Dennis Gross, MD · Answer

Regularly wearing elastic support stockings can compress your veins, helping the blood to better flow and avoiding varicose veins and spider veins.

Do Compression Stockings Help Prevent Varicose Veins?

Answers (5)