Putting on compression hose is easier when you use the inside-out method, working the stocking up your leg in small sections rather than trying to pull it on like a regular sock. The tight, elastic fabric that makes these stockings effective also makes them tricky to get on, but with the right technique, most people can do it in under two minutes per leg.
Put Them On First Thing in the Morning
Your legs swell throughout the day as gravity pulls fluid downward. By evening, your ankles and calves can be noticeably larger than when you woke up. Putting on compression hose before you get out of bed, or shortly after, means you’re working with the smallest version of your legs. The stockings slide on more easily, and they start doing their job before swelling has a chance to build.
If you can’t put them on right away, try lying down with your legs elevated for 10 to 15 minutes beforehand. This helps drain excess fluid and makes the process significantly easier.
The Inside-Out Method, Step by Step
Sit on a firm surface where your feet can touch the ground. A chair or the edge of your bed works well. Avoid soft couches that let you sink in, since you need to reach your feet comfortably.
Hold the top of the stocking with one hand. With your other hand, reach inside and grab the heel pocket. Once you have a firm grip on the heel, pull your hand back up through the stocking. This turns the stocking inside out down to the heel, creating a small foot pocket with the rest of the fabric folded over the top.
Slip your toes into that pocket as far as they’ll go. Center your heel into the heel pocket and pull the fabric up just enough to cover your heel snugly. This is the most important step. If the heel isn’t seated properly, the stocking will twist and bunch as you pull it higher.
Now use both hands to grasp the folded fabric about 5 centimeters (roughly 2 inches) below the fold. Pull that section up and over your ankle. From there, keep grasping the fabric about 5 centimeters below the fold and pulling it up in short sections. Don’t try to yank it all the way up at once. Small, patient pulls prevent the fabric from bunching and reduce the effort required. Continue until the stocking reaches its final position, whether that’s just below your knee or up at your thigh.
Run your hands over the entire stocking to smooth out any wrinkles or folds. The fabric should lie flat against your skin with no bunching at the ankle or behind the knee.
Why Wrinkles and Folds Matter
Compression hose work by applying graduated pressure, tightest at the ankle and gradually loosening as they go up. Wrinkles and folds concentrate pressure in one spot, which can cause skin irritation, pressure marks, or even sores over time. A fold near the top of a knee-high stocking can act like a tourniquet, restricting blood flow instead of helping it. Always smooth the fabric after pulling it up, and check periodically throughout the day.
Tools That Make It Easier
If you have limited grip strength, trouble bending over, or arthritis in your hands, donning aids can be a real help. There are several types worth knowing about.
- Frame-style donners hold the stocking open in a metal or plastic frame so you can step directly into it and pull it up. These are particularly useful if you have difficulty reaching your feet.
- Slide aids are made of slippery material that reduces friction. You place the slide inside the stocking, put your foot in, and then pull the stocking up smoothly over the low-friction surface.
- Liquid-filled sleeves use a soft, flexible sleeve to roll the garment over your leg without friction. These tend to work well for both arms and legs.
- Rubber donning gloves give you a much better grip on the fabric, making it easier to pull the stocking over the ankle and distribute it evenly up your leg. They also protect the stocking from fingernail snags, which extends how long the stockings last.
Rubber gloves are the cheapest option and often the first thing to try. If you’re still struggling, a frame-style donner or slide aid is the next step up.
Getting the Right Size
Compression hose only work correctly if they fit. A stocking that’s too loose won’t deliver enough pressure. One that’s too tight can cut into your skin or be so difficult to put on that you stop wearing them entirely.
Sizing requires measuring specific points on your leg. For knee-high stockings, you’ll typically need the circumference just above your ankle bone, the circumference of the widest part of your calf, and the length from your ankle to just below your knee. For thigh-highs, additional measurements are taken at the thigh. Foot sizing involves wrapping a tape measure around your heel and the bend of your ankle.
Take measurements in the morning when swelling is at its lowest, since this reflects the leg size the stocking needs to fit. Many pharmacies and medical supply stores will measure you in person, which is worth doing for your first pair.
Compression Levels Explained
Compression hose come in different pressure levels, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The higher the number, the tighter the squeeze.
- Light (under 20 mmHg): Used for mild swelling, tired legs, and long flights or car rides. Often available without a prescription.
- Medium (20 to 30 mmHg): The most commonly prescribed range. Helps with moderate swelling, varicose veins, and prevention after certain procedures. Research shows that stockings in the 15 to 20 mmHg range already produce meaningful reductions in swelling and symptoms compared to wearing nothing.
- High (30 mmHg and above): Used for more severe conditions like venous ulcers, significant lymphedema, or post-thrombotic syndrome. Studies show that 30 to 40 mmHg stockings are more effective than lighter options at healing venous ulcers and preventing them from coming back.
Higher compression is generally more effective, but it’s also harder to put on and less comfortable. The best stocking is one you’ll actually wear consistently.
Caring for Your Stockings
Compression hose lose their elasticity over time, especially with daily use. A pair that’s worn and washed daily typically maintains its compression effect for about six months. After that, the fabric gradually stretches out and delivers less pressure. If you rely on compression hose for a medical condition, plan on replacing them roughly every six months.
Having two pairs and alternating daily gives each pair a rest day and extends their useful life. Wash them after every use, either by hand or on a gentle machine cycle, and let them air dry. Heat from a dryer breaks down the elastic fibers faster.
Who Should Avoid Compression Hose
Compression hose are not safe for everyone. People with severe peripheral arterial disease, where blood flow to the legs is already significantly reduced, should not wear compression stockings. The added external pressure can further restrict arterial blood flow to the feet and toes, potentially causing tissue damage.
Severe heart failure is another contraindication. Compression pushes fluid from the legs back toward the heart, and in people whose hearts are already struggling to handle fluid volume, this can worsen the condition. People with severe diabetic nerve damage in their feet may also need to avoid standard compression, since they can’t feel if the stocking is causing pressure injuries. An allergy to the stocking material is a straightforward reason to avoid a particular brand or fabric type.
If you have any of these conditions, compression decisions should involve your doctor, who may recommend modified compression or a different approach entirely.