Compression socks
January 2, 2012 4:14 PM Subscribe
Is there any downside to wearing compression socks all the time? Should we all be wearing them?
I spend a lot of time on my feet at work and several people recommended that I try compression socks. I've done a little research and everything says there's no downside: they supposedly prevent sore feet/ankles, blood pressure issues, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, etc. I didn't find anything that indicated that they are only for certain medical conditions or that prolonged use can cause problems, etc.
So as a healthy guy with sore feet, is there any reason I shouldn't just wear them all the time? Why doesn't everyone wear them?
I spend a lot of time on my feet at work and several people recommended that I try compression socks. I've done a little research and everything says there's no downside: they supposedly prevent sore feet/ankles, blood pressure issues, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, etc. I didn't find anything that indicated that they are only for certain medical conditions or that prolonged use can cause problems, etc.
So as a healthy guy with sore feet, is there any reason I shouldn't just wear them all the time? Why doesn't everyone wear them?
I have worn compression hose for many years due to varicose veins. I do get tired of wearing them and putting them on and getting them off is a strain at times. But I know of no reason not to wear them in any case. I have read (don't know the truth of it) that wearing those hose while flying can be a problem. I do not know what that problem is since I don't fly.
posted by JayRwv at 4:53 PM on January 2, 2012
posted by JayRwv at 4:53 PM on January 2, 2012
I used to wear them all the time when I worked retail and was on my feet all day, they were a life saver to me as before I wore them I would have to go home and basically sit with my feet up all evening just so I could walk the next day. They don't breath as well as pure cotton socks because of all the elastic in them (that was my supposition as they made my feet a bit smellier) but they washed clean in with my normal wash so that wasn't really a problem. Now I have an office type job, I only wear them when flying or if going somewhere I'll be on my feet all day.
If you sat all the time at a desk job I'd say maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to wear them or unless you have some sort of circulation problem or diabetes (then again they might help with those problems I'm not a doctor, but it might be worth checking with a doc first if you have anything like that) otherwise I couldn't see they would be a problem.
posted by wwax at 6:30 PM on January 2, 2012
If you sat all the time at a desk job I'd say maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to wear them or unless you have some sort of circulation problem or diabetes (then again they might help with those problems I'm not a doctor, but it might be worth checking with a doc first if you have anything like that) otherwise I couldn't see they would be a problem.
posted by wwax at 6:30 PM on January 2, 2012
From what my FIL was told, compression socks have to be correctly fitted--which means if they bind at any spot, or slip, or have areas of no support, they can be useless, or worse than useless.
Apparently there's a rumor that they can be too constricting if you have high blood pressure, but doc said if they fit, they're actually a benefit. They are really good if you're on your feet on concrete the whole bloody day!!
posted by BlueHorse at 7:09 PM on January 2, 2012
Apparently there's a rumor that they can be too constricting if you have high blood pressure, but doc said if they fit, they're actually a benefit. They are really good if you're on your feet on concrete the whole bloody day!!
posted by BlueHorse at 7:09 PM on January 2, 2012
I had to wear them for about six months last year. They can help with the swelling, but they can be a pain if you are actually walking all day. Mine only went to the knees (apparently some go to the top of the thighs and are a giant pain). When walking sometimes the sock will begin to sag a little bit, this can cause bunching which actually constricts the flow of blood through that area. If you monitor them closely though they should help with swelling.
posted by DJWeezy at 8:16 AM on January 3, 2012
posted by DJWeezy at 8:16 AM on January 3, 2012
Downsides: If you ever get foot muscle cramps, these socks will exacerbate the onset of them, and ditto what serena15221 said about sweaty feet.
posted by vegartanipla at 11:53 AM on January 3, 2012
posted by vegartanipla at 11:53 AM on January 3, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by serena15221 at 4:26 PM on January 2, 2012