Do I Have To Wear Medical Stockings After Leg Vein Treatment?

A frequent concern of people who are considering having leg vein treatment is – “Will I have to wear surgical stockings?” I recently reviewed the evidence in the medical literature and what I found surprised me.

I have always thought that the use of compression bandages or compression stockings is essential in the healing process after varicose vein treatment by ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy, endovenous laser or combination treatments. Certainly immediately after treatment, by which I mean the first day or two, patients I treat usually feel more comfortable and the wearing of stockings seems to reduce bruising. However, after 48 hours many people want to take them off to shower and many people find them very uncomfortable thereafter. They may rub the skin or they may gather behind the knee. Some studies in the medical literature suggest that sclerotherapy is more effective when wearing of compression stockings, but the effect is small and a number of other studies show no difference. Even after treatments by surgery or endovenous laser, there is no medical study that has convinced me that wearing stockings makes a big difference to the recovery or eventual outcome.

So what do I advise now? Well, immediately after any form of vein treatment, I apply a medical stocking and I suggest that my patients wear it continuously for 48 hours. Thereafter I suggest wearing it during the day and taking it off at night. If at any time, my patient is more comfortable without the stocking I advise discontinuing the hosiery but many people feel more comfortable with it on during the day.

I don’t’ want my patients to develop mental health problems over their stocking.. so if it is driving them mad, they can take it off. It seems that medical stockings are not essential, they are useful in the first day or two and thereafter the main reason for wearing them is to feel comfortable.

The take away message is, if you are planning leg vein treatment, don’t be put off by medical stockings and don’t delay having treatment until the winter.

Well I hope you found that useful, my name is Dr Haroun Gajraj, Thank you for watching
http://www.theveincarecentre.co.uk/