Do Compression Socks Help with Foot Pain?
Compression socks were created to apply gentle pressure to your legs and ankles. Because of long periods spent sitting down, be it at home, in a hospital bed, or on an airplane, compression socks reduce the risk of blood pooling, promoting blood flow back to the heart.
Legs and feet are amongst the most neglected body parts – despite being essential for mobility. When there's pain, we tend to ignore it so long as we can continue with our day. Some have asked, "do compression socks help with foot pain". Through compression, it's suggested that socks reduce pain and swelling in your ankles and legs.
Below, we'll answer "do compressions socks help with foot pain" and explain the kind of compression sock you need for maximum effect.
What is a compression sock?
Compression socks (or compression stockings) are a type of sock designed to squeeze the lower leg and ankle. They promote better blood circulation by pressuring the limb, reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Most older patients wear compression socks during their hospital stay. And it's not uncommon to see chair-bound patients wearing such socks at home. However, despite the benefits, compression stockings are underutilized for other causes – including pain reduction.
Do compression socks help with foot pain?
Yes. The compression socks' mechanism also reduces foot and lower limb pain. By providing gentle pressure, the sock produces immediate relief and comfort.
Here's how it works.
Inside your legs, arteries carry oxygenated blood down the leg, and veins return it back towards the heart – albeit at a much lower pressure.
When the veins face too much resistance or stress is heavy or prolonged, the veins dilate to accommodate the additional volume. The disrupted blood flow begins to cause swelling, pain, fatigue, and spider or varicose veins.
Compression socks can overcome this dilation by squeezing the muscle tissues. The blood is forced onwards to the heart, preventing pooling and boosting blood circulation.
Compression socks can:
Promote blood circulation
Reduce swelling
Soothe foot pain
Alleviate muscle fatigue
What are neuropathy socks?
Not all painful foot conditions can be treated with a compression sock. While the sock will reduce the pain from swelling and venous buildup, compression socks won't necessarily work on a twisted ankle or peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy occurs due to damage to the nerve cells, reducing sensation in the body's periphery, e.g., the feet. Compression socks are used as a primary treatment to manage the pain and discomfort, e.g., pins and needles associated with neuropathy.
Moreover, because people with peripheral neuropathy may not feel the base of their feet, padding for the forefoot can reduce the risk of cuts and bruises. The socks are also designed to draw moisture from the skin – preventing foot ulcers and infections.
Why do compression socks hurt my feet?
Sometimes, the opposite happens. Rather than soothing your painful feet, the compression socks can cause pain.
Pain from compression socks is not normal. If you feel any discomfort, there are likely two causes:
Too tight. Wearing compression socks that are too tight will squeeze the muscle tissues too much, causing secondary problems. For example, you can cause deep vein thrombosis in rare cases. Compression socks are not ordinary socks; they're for a specific purpose.
Too long. If you wear your compression socks for too long, you can interfere with proper circulation. You'll likely notice discomfort, pain, swelling, and cramps. Wearing the compression sock for a long period before bed, for instance, is not advised.
Selecting compression socks that go above the knee if you have thicker calf muscles can reduce the discomfort – preventing the sock from being tight on your skin.
Types of compression stockings
There are three primary types of compression socks:
Gradated compression socks
Anti-embolism socks
Non-medical support hosiery
Gradated compression socks
Gradated compression socks alter the level of compression throughout the foot: strongest at the ankle and decreasing towards the top. Such socks are designed to maximize mobility and require a professional fitting.
These types of socks are chosen primarily for fluid buildup in the lower leg. Variations include a stocking extending to the thigh or waist to reduce blood pooling further.
Anti-embolisms socks
Shorter than gradated compression socks, anti-embolism socks are optimized to reduce deep vein thrombosis. The compression is also gradated, from the ankle to the top. However, the level of compressions differs in comparison. Anti-embolism socks are used by people who aren't mobile.
Non-medical support hosiery
Non-medical support hosiery applies more pressure than your standard sock but isn't considered medical grade. You'll often see these worn by runners and for other fitness activities. By applying gentle pressure, these socks can improve leg circulation and prevent shin splints.
Unlike the other types of stockings, nonmedical hosiery typically exerts uniform pressure, less intense than prescription compression stockings.
Can you wear compression socks all the time?
Compression socks are often associated with immobility. However, compression socks are highly versatile, being a useful treatment for various conditions. Despite concerns, there's little risk of "cutting off circulation" when people wear compression socks continuously.
While a small minority of patients who have severe heart problems or peripheral arterial disease may see difficulties, most wearers won't see any negative effects.
Nevertheless, you don't need to wear them all the time. You can remove them for short periods – just ensure they're doing their job most of the time.
Compression socks help treat foot pain
Compression socks are most commonly used to prevent blood clotting in the legs during immobilization. However, compression socks also relieve pain, swelling, and varicose veins by encouraging circulation.
Non-medical support hosiery provides relief for most people – and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Just remember to take breaks and ensure the sock isn't too tight.
Speak to your foot doctor about whether a compression sock is right for you.
