Why should support hose and socks for the legs be gradient?
Graduated support is specifically important to the legs. When we stand still, the forces of gravity increase the pressure within leg veins. That pressure is greatest at the ankle, and decreases gradually up the leg and body. This pressure depends on the vertical distance of the column of blood from the heart to the foot. Approximately 86 mmHg of pressure is inside the veins of the ankle of a 5’7″ adult in the quiet standing position. In the vena cava vein just before it enters the heart, the venous pressure is about 2 mmHg. Graduated compression stockings are designed with the pressure greatest at the ankle and decreasing up the leg in order to counter the effects of the higher venous pressures.
