You have been prescribed compression hosiery to treat your leg. Compression hosiery is a way to apply pressure to your leg. This will help your veins carry blood back to your heart. Before prescribing compression hosiery you should have been assessed. This is to make sure this is the right treatment for you. This should have included assessing your blood flow using Doppler ultrasound. Please ask the person prescribing or providing your care if you are not sure if you have had this assessment.

Measuring for your hosiery

There are a variety of manufacturers of hosiery. Selection will be based on what fits your needs best. The hosiery most often used fits just up to the knee. Sometimes full leg hosiery may be needed or preferred by you.

It is important that the right size is chosen. The person prescribing or providing your treatment will measure your leg.

Below knee hosiery

Ankle and calf measurements.

Full leg hosiery

Sometimes the size of the leg does not fall into the standard sizing. Extra measurements will be taken if made-to-measure hosiery is needed.

Most chemists stock standard sizes. These can be supplied within a few days. Supplies of made to measure hosiery will take longer. You will be treated with bandages until your hosiery is available.

Compression hosiery is available in different strengths for example Class I, II & III. The level you need will be discussed with you after your assessment. You may be able to choose from a limited range of colours and styles for example:

  • open or closed toe
  • stocking or ribbed sock
  • knee-length or full-leg.
Do I need to wear my hosiery all the time? 

Your legs will swell when you are out of bed. The hosiery will help to prevent this. If you have problems with your legs swelling get advice as soon as possible.

Can I remove my hosiery?

If you are able to remove your hosiery (e.g. for showering) you can. If your hosiery is for treatment of an ulcer you will be advised by the person providing your treatment. You may also remove your hosiery while you are in bed. Make sure to put it back on in the morning before you get up.

What if I cannot remove my hosiery?

It is safe to sleep in your hosiery as long as it is comfortable. You will be advised about this as your hosiery will need changed at least once a week.

I cannot get my hosiery on?

It may be possible for the person prescribing your treatment to provide you with an ‘aid’ to help you to put your hosiery on.

How often should I replace my hosiery?

It is important that your hosiery keeps giving you the right support. This means you will need new hosiery every 3 to 6 months.

Will I need to have my leg measured again?

If the size of your leg has changed it is important that you are re-measured.

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302