Basics
Poor circulation and reduced blood flow can cause aching and tired legs. Legs swell from lack of proper blood flow. Poor circulation can cause leg ulcers and painful varicose veins. Support hose are meant to increase circulation by providing compression. They work by applying pressure to the ankle and lower legs to improve blood flow up toward the heart, report doctors at My Doctor.com. Stockings made for support apply a graduated compression that decreases further up the leg. The fabric of the hose must be evenly distributed over the leg to prevent cutting off the blood flow. They usually are rolled on to the leg. A stocking butler can be used to help patients put on the stockings evenly.
Fit
Support hose work best when designed specifically for the individual. Measurements are taken to get the correct fit. Support hose come with enclosed toes or open-toes. The band that fits across the foot in open-toed support hose may create discomfort for people with very wide feet or in those with bunions. Stockings should be replaced and patients remeasured every six months to make sure the leg size hasn't altered and the stockings still work well. After time and continued washing, stockings can become loose and lose their shape. Support hose should be strong but not too tight.
Uses
Graduated compression stockings, or support hose, work to prevent pulmonary embolisms in people who have had surgery. They work to keep the blood from stagnating and forming blood clots in the legs by steadily squeezing the legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. They help to keep fluids in the legs moving. Support hose are meant to be worn during the day and should not be worn when sleeping. Thrombophlebitis is treated with support hose when the condition occurs in a superficial vein. Thrombophlebitis, also referred to as phlebitis, is a condition that occurs when a blood clot has formed in the leg. Support stockings can relieve the pressure and dissipate the clot. Support hose can prevent further swelling while the clot heals. Compression stockings can help to relieve the pain of varicose veins by providing snug support.
