How many hours each day should compression stockings be worn?
The wearing time for gradient compression stockings is dependent on both the reason for wearing the compression (indication) and the amount of compression (mmHg). An individual’s physician or designee best guides this. Bed-bound patients may be advised by their physician to wear anti-embolism stockings (16-18 mmHg) to help prevent blood clots from forming in the deep veins of the leg. Immediately following sclerotherapy physicians may instruct individuals to wear a specific level of compression continuously for a specified number of hours or days depending on the size of the veins injected. Individuals with lymphedema are advised to follow the wearing schedule recommended by their physician or therapist. Individuals with chronic venous problems such as venous related leg swelling, skin changes, or varicose veins, generally wear the compression stockings while out of bed (approximately 16 hours/day) and remove them when retiring.
