One of the chief complaints of people wearing compression stockings is that they find them to be too tight, sometimes to the point of being uncomfortable or even intolerable.
This frequently voiced grievance about compression hose or stockings may or may not be valid in each case and therefore demands further investigation.
First of all, it should be pointed out that compression stockings not being tight would be a contradiction in itself, because as the name says compression implies that pressure is applied to something. Logic would dictate that the result would be a feeling of squeezing and tightness. Consequently, compression stockings by their very design and nature must be tight.
This obviously summons some closely related questions on this subject matter. How tight should compression stockings be? How tight is too tight when it comes to compression hosiery? In the following, we will try to shed some light on these important concerns.
Keep in mind that compression stockings are designed and manufactured to have “graduated compression”. This means that they intentionally feel the tightest at the ankles where the compression is the highest. As you move up the leg of the compression stockings or pantyhose the tightness gradually lessens because the compression also gradually decreases the higher you go. It is therefore completely normal that compression hosiery feels tighter in the ankle and calf area than it does in the thighs.
To make this process less exhausting, you absolutely must take the necessary time and patience to don and doff compression stockings or pantyhose. You will need to ensure that they are properly situated without wrinkles or folds that could pinch, cause pain or even interfere with proper blood circulation.
Last not least, trying to rush things by pulling on the compression stockings could also quickly ruin some potentially expensive legwear.
To make life with compression stockings a little easier there are a number of ingeniously designed donning and doffing devices available that can be of great help in this strenuous process. They may prove especially beneficial for individuals with limited hand strength or arthritic conditions.
How tight should compression stockings fit?
This is a difficult question to answer because compression stockings of different compression levels obviously also have varying degrees of tightness. In addition, it depends on the individual wearing them.
People have different tolerance levels for things such as pain or temperature, for example. In a similar way, this also applies to what a person perceives as too tight and what actually is too tight from a medical point of view.
Compression stockings or pantyhose are too tight if they
In some cases, if compression stockings are too tight, an age related condition known as Senile Purpura can cause small blood vessels in the legs to break and cause bleeding under the skin. This can usually be remedied by reevaluating the patient and changing the size and/or compression level of the stockings.
What can be done if compression stockings feel too tight?
If you feel your compression stockings are too tight, the first course of action should be to make sure they are properly sized for your legs and feet. It is of utmost importance that compression stockings are sized correctly to get the best results while wearing them.
If you have previously taken your measurements for compression stockings yourself we suggest you have them checked by a professionally trained fitter of compression stockings. You can call your nearest medical supply store to find a certified fitter or contact your physician or specialist office to assist you in finding one. If you have been measured by a professional fitter have your measurements re-checked regardless (even they can occasionally make a measuring mistake).
Once you have located a certified fitter for compression stockings, make an early morning appointment to have yourself measured before your legs have a chance to swell up.
For additional information about proper sizing and fit of compression hosiery, we recommend reading our post…
Problems With Graduated Compression Stockings – The Importance of Correct Measurements and Sizing
If you are new to wearing compression stockings it may be a good idea in general to start out with a lower compression and gradually build your comfort level (even just wearing them initially for a few hours at a time) to the compression your physician has recommended for your condition.
Things You Should Definitely NOT Do – In General And If Your Compression Stockings Are Too Tight:
The cold hard truth is that in order to get the benefits compression stockings can provide you need to actually wear them.
If you are certain that you have the correct size and you still cannot tolerate the tightness of the compression level you are wearing you should talk to your medical care provider to see if you could drop your compression stockings to a lower compression level.
Common sense would dictate that it is still better to wear compression hosiery at a lower compression level than not at all.
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What level of compression would you recommend if I sit at a computer for 40 hrs. a week at work? These would be for preventative measures for blood clot?.
This is really great information.
I was originally searching because while the compression on my calves actually is nice, my outer toes feel weird. A bit numb, a bit hypersensitive.
No idea if I should be using them until a doctor prescribes them.
I like the hug on my lower legs, not so sure about the weirdness in the outer three toes.
Many thanks for your informative and sensible advice.
I had sclerotherapy performed on both legs in 2009 and my Doctor advised me to wear graduated support thigh high stockings, compression level 20-30 mgHg. I started with Jobst thigh high stockings for men, but found them to be very uncomfortable to wear. I switched to Jobst women's pantyhose in the same compression level and they were so much more comfortable to wear. My doctor was surprised that I chose to wear ladies pantyhose but he actually thought they were better for me, No argument from me!
I agree with you that if your compression stockings are causing pain or making you pinch your skin, that they are too tight. My girlfriend is all about the compression socks and apparently, they make her feel slimmer. Thank you for sharing your advice on compression and when to know that it is becoming a burden and not a blessing.
Great post! Have nice day ! :) dgppv
Hello blogger,
I must say you have high-quality articles here.
I have been wearing compression stockings for years and I have tried lots of different ones. If you could get custom ones made then you would usually get the best results, but if the standard sizes suit you, there is no need for them, and usually they do the job. They are hard to put on and most people probably give up on them for this reason, but it's important to try variations to find the right type. I have found flat knit ones to be easier to pull on because they don't crease up as much, and they are thicker than the circular knit ones which can cause problems when you wear shoes because they don't provide much protection from the interior of shoes or boots. If you have feet that are susceptible to skin damage, then flat knits are better, but only if they are made to the correct measurements. I find the flat knits to be harder to take off. One technique of taking them off is to pull them halfway down (which should be easy since they are tightest at the ankle, and then locking it down by stepping on it with your other foot and lift the leg with the stocking on. They should easily peel off and your legs are doing all the hard work and you do not have to bend or pull - if you do it right, there should be no problem.
When putting them on, the important thing is to take your time. Make the time. If you are in a hurry, you will either get them on wrong or you may pull them on too quickly and cause damage to your skin. The shearing injuries have a cumulative effect over several days so it is important to take your time and pull them on gently and slowly. If you pull them at the wrong angle and if they feel like they are causing damage then better to discontinue use and get new measurements or try a different fabric or type. If the stocking have been correctly measured then they should actually feel good, as if something is breathing life into your legs. When on, they should feel good, and if they don't something is wrong and you have to work it out.
I think this guide is good but for people with deep venous insufficiency, and with stasis dermatitis, even tiny mistakes in application can have significant consequences and injuries that will ulcerate and take months to heal. I know this from experience, the important thing to remember is that if your skin has already been damaged by the venous insufficiency then even if the condition is controlled by the stocking, nothing could be done about the skin that has become vulnerable to ulceration, and poorly fitting stocking will do nothing good for your skin and cause more ulcers.
Although there are professionals who can do the job, pay attention to what they are doing and if they are not taking the measurements properly let them know. A sloppy job on their part will lead to months of anguish. In my case, I only recently realised that the person I trusted to do correct measurements had been doing a poor job and in fact, I have had repeated ulcers that have taken months to heal because of his mistakes.
Thanx. for the info. on compression stockings. I was seriously thinking of cutting the top band bcause this is wear the pain comes from.
I also have very fat legs, truly. My calves almost have no shape & are about 20 inches around. Ankles are 12" around.
I'm seeking low cut compression socks for plantar fasciitis, but even those cut in to my ankle. I sometimes wonder if there is help available for the obese...
Appreciate this article &the fact that you are still reading &replying to comments!