Medical compression stockings are an effective method of non-surgical treatment for varicose veins in lower limbs. The quality of the elastic stockings on the market varies, so this article will briefly introduce how patients can choose the right medical elastic stockings and how to use and maintain them correctly. Stretch stockings counteract the increase of venous pressure caused by various reasons with external pressure, prevent the deep venous blood from flowing back into the superficial veins through the traffic branch, promote the venous blood to flow back to the heart, prevent venous stasis in the lower limbs, and ensure the good circulation of venous blood in the lower limbs. It makes the symptoms such as heavy limbs, swollen legs and pain disappear quickly and will promote the healing of venous ulcers. According to hemodynamic studies, the pressure in the veins of the lower extremities decreases from the bottom to the top. The design of segmental compression stockings is in accordance with the hemodynamics of lower limb venous blood return, and the pressure gradually decreases towards the proximal end, which can produce decreasing pressure on the lower limb from the bottom up, so that the veins can receive external support and promote the return of blood from the superficial veins to the deep veins of the lower limb. This reduces venous blood stasis and effectively relieves or improves the pressure on the veins and valves of the lower extremities to control and delay the development of the disease, improve local skin malnutrition, reduce edema, and prevent ulcer formation or promote ulcer healing. The use of compression stockings requires skill, as socks that are too loose will not be therapeutic, and socks that are too tight can cause pressure ulcers, arterial blockage and necrosis. To ensure patient safety, one should know when and why to use compression stockings. 1. Selecting the right size and pressure When using elastic stockings, the first thing to do is to master the strength and length of the elastic stockings used by the patient. Accurate size measurement is a prerequisite for using elastic stockings, which are available in 3 types of pressure, 2 basic lengths and 27 different sizes in low, medium and high. To ensure the safety of the patient, it is the duty of the medical staff to select the right elastic stocking for the patient, which is necessary to maintain the pressure gradient. Normally, some patients have a slight difference in the size of their legs, especially in patients with neuromuscular diseases where the variation is greater. Depending on the size of the pressure, elastic stockings are available in low-pressure prophylactic type (2.4kPa), primary medium-pressure therapeutic type (2.7 to 4.0kPa), secondary high-pressure therapeutic type (4.0 to 5.3kPa), and tertiary high-pressure therapeutic type (5.3 to 6.6kPa). Low-pressure prophylactic type is commonly used for daily health care prevention for bedridden patients, people with high incidence of varicose veins and thrombosis; Grade 1 medium-pressure therapeutic type is suitable for treatment and prevention of superficial varicose veins and thrombosis; Grade 2 and Grade 3 high-pressure therapeutic type is used for post-saphenous vein stripping, post varicose vein sclerotherapy, post-thrombotic syndrome of deep veins in lower limbs, severe varicose veins in lower limbs, etc. There are two basic lengths of elastic stockings, short stockings at 3.3cm below the knee and long stockings at 3.3cm below the groin, short stockings are easily adjustable and comfortable according to the needs. However, long stockings should be used for patients who are very fat after saphenous vein stripping and for patients with a thigh circumference greater than 65 cm. Measure the circumference of both legs frequently according to hospital regulations in order to decide on the right size of elastic stocking. Measure the circumference of the leg according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually with a tape measure, so that it is comfortable and not tight, and if necessary mark the leg to provide a reference point and record the assessment information for future use. With short socks that go to the knee, the circumference should be measured in two places, the narrowest part of the ankle – about 2.5 cm above the ankle bone and the thickest part of the fibula, and then the distance from below the knee to above the heel; with long socks that go to the thigh, take the same steps and measure the distance from the thickest part of the thigh and above the heel to the hip. If the patient’s condition or leg size changes, it is necessary to measure again to ensure that the stocking fits comfortably, for example, patients with edema need to be measured at least once/d to see if they need a larger stocking, generally a 5cm increase in leg diameter should increase the compression of the stocking by a factor of 2. Assessment of the patient’s use of elastic stockings The medical staff should ask the patient’s medical history, systemic disease in detail, and examine the sick leg carefully to look for pressure points, easy brittle places, open incisions, and rashes in the sick leg in order to assess whether elastic stockings can be used and how to take care of them in use. 2. Precautions for using medical elastic stockings Medical staff should carefully ask and check whether there is any infection and inflammation of subcutaneous tissue in the patient’s legs and feet, acute stage such as abscess, boil, dermatitis can cause severe pain under pressure, skin disorders such as eczema, mold infection, venous ulcer should be used after complete healing. General elastic stockings ankle minimum circumference of 19cm or more, the patient ankle circumference <8cm is not suitable for use. 3.Master the correct method of putting on and taking off the elastic stockings. The elastic stockings should be put on in the morning before getting up. When preparing to put on the stockings, pay attention to keep the patient's legs dry and apply a small amount of talcum powder if necessary. Roll the elastic stocking from the mouth to the toe, prop up the elastic stocking with the palm of your hand, grab the toe hole (many medical elastic stockings have holes at the toe or the back of the foot or the bottom of the foot for checking the circulation), try to make the toe go deeper into the stocking roll, then pull up the elastic stocking with your thumb as a guide, there must be no wrinkles when you wear it, you can gently pull the toe part of the elastic stocking to keep good mobility of the toe. Take off the elastic stockings slowly and steadily at night, starting from the top, and never sleep with them on. Cut nails regularly to prevent skin cracking on the heel and avoid scratching the elastic stocking. It is better for the medical staff to wear rubber gloves when putting on the elastic stocking for the patient. 4. Precautions for patients during treatment (1) Record the length and size of the elastic stocking, the date and time of application, the condition of the leg before treatment, monitor toe circulation every 4h or as needed, and monitor frequently as needed if edema is present. (2) Check the protruding or distorted part of the elastic stocking, taking care not to pleat it. If there is a bony prominence or disability requiring support available pads, although pads can affect the pressure gradient and increase the risk of tissue and should be used only when necessary and the pad area should be monitored and signs of complications closely observed. (3) Record the color, sensation, swelling, humidity of the leg and the patient's ability to move, complaints, and tolerance to treatment, and report any abnormalities to the physician promptly. Medical compression stockings play a role in the treatment of varicose veins in the lower extremities that drugs and surgery cannot, and have been widely used in clinical practice, requiring continuous observation and careful evaluation by experienced medical personnel to prevent serious complications in patients treated with compression stockings.