How Long to Wear Compression Socks After Hip Surgery

How long to wear compression stockings after hip surgery? The answer depends on a variety of factors including the type of surgery performed, the degree of hip joint damage involved, and your personal preferences. For example, if you have a minor hip replacement, chances are good that your symptoms will dissipate within a week or two. If you have an extensive hip surgery on the lower leg, the recovery time can take longer and you may need to wear the socks for a little bit longer after your doctor gives you the go-ahead.

Doctors typically recommend wearing compression stockings for up to a week after being discharged from the hospital following hip surgery. However, there is also a good chance that you will still be experiencing some mild swelling around your ankles, which is why compression socks may help to reduce the swelling and encourage the healing process. Your doctor will want to know how long you’ve been wearing them and how you feel about them. If you’ve worn them for longer than a week and feel that they’re not working, it’s important that you discuss them with your doctor. Some patients don’t have an easy transition from traditional socks to compression socks, so it’s important that you give your doctor all the information you can when considering how long to wear compression socks after hip surgery.

Compression socks are designed to improve circulation in the lower legs, and therefore are effective at reducing varicose veins, spider veins, and other problems with circulation in the legs. They work by compressing the veins in the legs and increasing blood flow to the leg muscles and surrounding tissues, which helps to promote healing and hasten the rehabilitation of damaged veins. Wearing the socks for too long or wearing them too tightly can cause skin irritation and should be discussed with your doctor before you begin.