How to put on compression stockings correctly? Step-by-step and mistakes to avoid

Anyone using compression stockings for the first time quickly realizes that they are not put on like regular socks. The fabric has more resistance, the heel can be difficult to get past, and if you try to force it, the task becomes even harder.
That is why technique makes a big difference. Preparing your skin, starting with the heel, and distributing the knit little by little allows you to put on the stocking with less effort and helps avoid creases, rolled areas, and damage to the fabric. When it is still difficult to reach your feet or pull the stocking over your heel, there are special accessories that can simplify the process.

Before putting on the stockings, prepare your skin and the stocking itself

Morning is usually the most practical time to put on compression stockings, especially for people whose legs swell throughout the day. After several hours standing or sitting, edema can make the leg more swollen and make it harder to put on the stocking. For this reason, it is recommended to put them on first thing in the morning, before the swelling increases.
This indication does not replace instructions given by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional. There are clinical situations and types of stockings with specific usage schedules, especially in a hospital setting or after certain procedures.

Your skin must be clean and dry. If you apply cream or lotion, wait until it is fully absorbed before putting on the stocking, because some products, especially the oilier ones, can damage the elastic fibers.
There is another precaution that often goes unnoticed: sharp nails, rough heels, rings, or other jewelry can snag on the knit. Keeping your nails filed and the rougher areas of your feet cared for reduces this risk. Medi also advises removing protruding rings before putting them on.

Gloves can also be a help, namely latex gloves, as they offer good grip. They are not only useful for protecting the fabric from nails, but also because the gripping surface allows you to hold the knit better, distribute it along the leg with greater control, and smooth out small wrinkles without having to pinch the fabric with your fingertips.

How to put on compression stockings step-by-step

The principle is simple: instead of pulling the entire stocking from the top, first position the foot and heel correctly. Only then do you distribute the rest of the fabric along the leg.

Sit in a stable position and grab the stocking from the inside. Insert your hand into the stocking until you reach the heel.
Turn the stocking inside out just to the heel. This way, the foot area is ready to receive your foot, without having a large amount of tight fabric to overcome all at once.
Insert your foot and align the heel first. The heel of the stocking must align with yours. Also, confirm that the toe area is well-positioned. This initial adjustment prevents the stocking from twisting or having excess fabric at the ankle.
Pull the stocking over the ankle and distribute the fabric little by little. If you are wearing gripping gloves, you can rest your palms on the knit to distribute it.
Move the stocking up in small sections. Work the fabric progressively up the calf and, on longer models, up the thigh. The knit should be distributed evenly, without excessively stretched areas.
Smooth out the stocking. Confirm that the fabric is evenly distributed and free of wrinkles.
Check the final position. The heel should remain in the right place, the stocking should not be twisted, and the top edge should be flat, without being folded or rolled.

This method, with the stocking turned up to the heel and the fabric distributed in stages, coincides with the guidelines of several hospital services and medical compression manufacturers.
For open-toe stockings, some models include a special slider that reduces friction while pulling it over your foot. In that case, you should follow the instructions provided with the stocking and remove the slider through the toe opening after positioning your foot.

How to put on open-toe compression stockings with a fabric slider

Sit in a stable position and place the fabric slider over your foot. Adjust it to cover the foot and heel, leaving the handle or loop accessible. Insert your hand into the stocking until you reach the heel.

Pass the compression stocking over the slider. Insert your foot into the stocking and slide it over the fabric, which reduces friction and makes it easier to pass over the foot area.
Pull the stocking over the heel. Pull it little by little until the heel of the stocking correctly matches your own. Avoid twisting or pulling the fabric too hard.
Adjust the position of the stocking on your foot and ankle. Confirm that the heel is in the right place and that the toe opening is well-positioned.
Remove the slider through the toe opening. Keep one hand over the heel to hold the stocking and, with the other, gently pull the handle or loop of the slider until it comes out completely.
Move the stocking up in small sections. Distribute the fabric progressively over the ankle and up the calf. For longer models, continue up to the thigh. Do not pull only by the top edge.
Smooth out and confirm the final position. The stocking should be evenly distributed, without wrinkles or twisted areas. The heel must remain in the right place and the top edge should be flat, without folds.

Mistakes that make putting them on more difficult

Pulling the entire stocking by the top edge

This is probably the mistake that requires the most effort. When you grab the waistband and try to pull the entire stocking up your leg, the fabric can become too stretched in some areas and bunched up in others. It also increases the risk of damaging the knit. The fabric should advance in small sections, with the foot and heel already properly positioned.

Folding or rolling the top part

If it seems like there is too much stocking at the top, folding the edge inward or leaving it rolled is not a good way to fix the problem. The fold concentrates pressure on a narrow band of the leg and can cause discomfort or aggravate swelling in that area. A stocking that is consistently too long deserves a check of the size and model.

Ignoring creases at the ankle or other areas

A small wrinkle can become uncomfortable after several hours. Creases create areas where the pressure is no longer evenly distributed and can cause friction or excessive pressure on the skin. Therefore, the adjustment does not end when the stocking reaches the right height: you must check the surface and correct any fabric buildup.

Applying more and more force when the stocking does not go on

Compression stockings must be tight, but extreme difficulty should not be automatically accepted as a normal part of use. If you need to use a lot of force every day, it is worth reviewing the technique, the size, the stocking model, and the current state of your leg.
This is particularly relevant if the leg is much more swollen than when the stocking was chosen. Instead of forcing a stocking over a leg with a volume very different from the usual, you should seek professional guidance.

The stocking should be tight, but it should not cause pain or changes in sensation

Feeling firm pressure is part of using a compression stocking. Significant pain, numbness, tingling, abnormally cold toes, or changes in color should not be treated as a normal consequence of compression.
These signs may indicate excessive pressure, incorrect application, or a fit problem. If you experience such symptoms, the stocking should be removed and you should seek advice from the healthcare professional responsible for your treatment.
The correct fit has clinical relevance. An international consensus on the risks of compression therapy recommends that devices be selected and applied with an appropriate fit and that clinical situations that may increase the risk of complications be considered beforehand.

When a compression stocking aid can help

Even with the correct technique, some physical limitations can make putting them on difficult. It is in these cases that an aid can make a difference.
At Aveimédica, the economic Butler / aid for putting on stockings, from medi, is available. The manufacturer's official page identifies this model as the medi Butler and presents it as an aid for putting on compression stockings.

How does the medi Butler work?

The Butler keeps the opening of the stocking stretched on a semicircular frame. Instead of having to open the knit with your hands while trying to pass your foot through, the stocking is pre-positioned over this structure.
The step-by-step process for putting on the stocking with the Butler consists of the following steps:
-Place the Butler on a stable surface.
Position it in front of you, with the opening facing you.
-Place the stocking on the Butler.
Insert the stocking into the hoop, leaving the heel facing towards you.
-Slide the stocking down the hoop.
Pull the fabric down evenly until the heel area is close to the top of the Butler.
-Insert your foot into the stocking.
Place your foot in the center of the opening and push it until the heel is correctly positioned.
-Pull the Butler by the handles.
Lift it slowly until the stocking passes over the ankle and up the leg.
-Remove the Butler.
When the stocking is pulled up sufficiently, carefully remove the Butler.
-Distribute the stocking along the leg.
Adjust the fabric gradually, without pulling only from the top edge.
-Check the final position.
Ensure the heel is in the right place and the stocking is smooth, with no folds, creases, or twisted areas.

Which stockings can be used with the Butler?

This is a relevant distinction because medi markets several types of Butler for different purposes.
According to medi, the economical Butler can be used with all lengths and models of compression stockings, regardless of the compression class, and is also suitable for tights.
It is also important not to confuse this model with other versions developed for other specific needs.

Who can it be particularly useful for?

An aid of this type can make sense when the greatest difficulty is bending down to the feet, keeping the stocking opening stretched, getting over the heel, or applying enough force with the hands. medi specifically mentions its use by people with reduced mobility and by users who need support to put on their stockings.
This does not mean that the same device is the best solution for everyone. When there is a marked limitation in mobility, significant changes in the shape or volume of the leg, sensitivity issues, or persistent difficulty despite using the aid, the choice of stocking and donning system should be evaluated individually.

Related Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I sleep in compression stockings?

Wearing them at night depends on the clinical indication and the type of stocking. NHS recommendations advise, in most common uses, to remove stockings before sleeping, unless a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional gives different instructions.

How often should they be replaced?

The useful life varies according to the manufacturer, frequency of use, and care provided to the stocking. Various NHS services suggest approximate periods between three and six months for many compression stockings, but the indication of the manufacturer and the professional in charge should prevail. A stocking that loses elasticity, is torn, or no longer fits correctly may need to be replaced sooner.

Do a small run or a tear make a difference?

A damaged stocking should be evaluated and, when necessary, replaced. Tears, holes, or loss of elasticity can alter the fit and how the fabric exerts compression. Do not try to compensate for a damaged area by folding, sewing, or tightening the stocking without the manufacturer's instruction.
If you continue to have difficulty putting on compression stockings, there are aids that can make the task easier. At Aveimédica, you will find compression stockings, gloves, and donning accessories, including the economical medi Butler.