Do compression socks help treat varicose veins?

A varicose vein is a very visible vein just under the skin. Compression socks may help varicose veins by reducing their appearance and helping relieve painful symptoms in some people.

Varicose veins occur when blood builds up in the tiny valves in a person's veins instead of flowing smoothly toward the heart. These are generally more common in the legs and feet because blood returning to the heart has to travel a longer distance.

Doctors often recommend compression socks to improve circulation, prevent varicose veins from getting worse, and reduce pain or discomfort.

Here we will look at the evidence supporting the use of these socks and the associated risks. We will also discuss how to choose the right size and shape.

How do compression socks work?

Compression stockings are often used to improve circulation. According to the authors of the book Treatment of Varicose and Telangiectatic Leg Veins with Sclerotherapy, Roman soldiers often wrapped their legs with leather straps to increase circulation during long marches.

Modern compression stockings are more sophisticated and are designed to provide consistent pressure on the legs and help blood flow towards the heart. Socks generally put more pressure on areas near the ankles and feet, providing additional compression that encourages blood flow.

Studies suggest that compression socks may improve some symptoms of varicose veins, but there is little evidence to support the idea that socks alone will eliminate them. Different types of socks apply different amounts of pressure.

Some recent research on varicose veins includes:

A 2018 study found that wearing socks with a pressure of 18 to 21 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for 1 week helped reduce the aches and pain associated with varicose veins compared to regular socks.
A 2017 study determined that wearing socks at a pressure of 22 mm Hg for 6 months helped control leg swelling in pregnant women with varicose veins. But the authors noted that an oral medication called Pycnogenol, a brand name, was more effective than using socks.
A study completed in 2014 concluded that surgery to remove varicose veins was a more effective treatment than compression stockings.
Overall, the results are mixed. A 2015 review found that there was little reliable evidence to support compression stockings as a treatment for varicose veins.