Wearing ​Compression Stockings After Sclerotherapy

Aiding the medical treatment of vein conditions is what compression stockings do best! Sufferers of varicose veins will know this better than most and have probably enjoyed the relief and even correction that can come with a good pair of compression stockings. If you’ve decided to take the plunge and go under the knife for varicose vein surgery, though, compression stockings can still help you out by helping you have a happy and healthy recovery.

So what is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is the surgical procedure used to treat varicose veins. A substance known as a ‘sclerosant’ is injected into the internal lining of the vein, this causes the blood to clot, ‘sticking’ the vein together so that it no longer functions as a vein. With time the site will fade and heal becoming scar tissue, undetectable on the surface of the skin.

Sclerotherapy has a long history of practise (it was first used in the 1930s!) so its recovery methods are also drawn from huge amounts of experience. Exactly how long you should wear compression stockings after your surgery seems to be based on each doctor’s opinion, one thing they all agree on though, is that you should definitely be wearing them!

Compression Not Complications

Wearing compression stockings after surgery is a vital part of a good, successful recovery and assists in several ways:

• The squeezed veins are narrowed which allows the sclerosant to be held in the surgery site for longer, allowing for more effective treatment.
• Compression has been proven to lead to better cosmetic results.
• Expanding of the blood vessels, even by taking a hot shower, is discouraged during the first few days of recovery, compression ensures this does not happen.
• By keeping the operated-on veins closed, it encourages them to heal faster and leave better results, any expansion of the vein may lead to it not healing and becoming scar tissue and the surgery ultimately being unsuccessful
• They help the remaining blood vessels of the leg handle the change in your activity that may be caused during your recovery, ensuring they still deliver a healthy blood flow throughout the limb.
• Lack of compression can cause blood to enter the collapsed vein and begin to form an (unwanted) clot that can cause pain, swelling and even emergency surgery.

A Perfect Fit

Your first pair of compression stockings after your surgery should be provided for you and their strength will be decided by your doctor. Some patients are happy to wear these stockings for a few weeks and leave compression behind once fully recovered, others prefer to wear a gentler compression stocking as part of their normal wardrobe. Many doctors recommend that light compression becomes the norm for sclerotherapy patients, some patients might even spend several years wearing compression stockings as per doctor’s orders to make sure varicose veins don’t recur. Of course you don’t need a doctor to tell you to take advantage of compression, we’re sure you know that already! 

Whether you’re recovering from sclerotherapy, suffering from varicose veins or just trying to protect against them, we have a range of compression stockings in every shade and style you could ever want! Head over to our online store today to find your perfect pair!