Why Do Nurses Wear Compression Socks?

September 20, 2022 Alex Kinejara

Compression socks have long been recommended by healthcare professionals to help fight circulatory concerns in their patients. But why, in some cases, are healthcare workers adopting this snug footwear staple for themselves?

Beating out teachers, restaurant servers, and hairdressers, nurses are by far the most common upright professionals in the US.¹ And because our frontline healthcare workers are required to stand and sit for prolonged periods, many nurses take preventative measures to promote circulation by tapping into the benefits of compression socks for nurses.

At the end of the day, nurses devote most of their time to caring for others, and it’s vital they’re proactive on their own wellness to sustain the demands of the job. Here, we’ll consider why nurses wear compression socks, the science-backed benefits they offer, and how this super-power sock could have a positive impact on your working life and well-being.

How Do Compression Socks Work?

Whether you caught a glimpse of them on fellow colleagues or you’ve seen them on patients recovering from circulatory concerns, you’ve probably seen compression socks during your time working in healthcare. However, how do these accessories work in tandem with work shoes for nurses?

Compression socks are a kind of sock that fit tightly over the ankles and calves to boost circulation. By applying pressure to veins in the lower leg, they help blood move back up to the heart. This supports both arms of the circulatory system, including:²

Cardiovascular function – As the system that regulates oxygen flow, the cardiovascular system is essential for all bodily functions. Blood that’s been oxygenated moves out through your veins, and your veins send deoxygenated blood back toward the heart for replenishment. Your body recirculates all of its blood about three times per minute.³

Lymphatic fluid and function – The network of passageways comprising the lymphatic system drains excess fluid (plasma) in our blood and tissues. Plasma often carries essential nutrients, immune cells, blood cells, and waste through your body to be either reabsorbed or expelled.² To do so, it must often oppose blood flow to move plasma through the body.

While the veins around our upper body tend to be more robust, those that extend to your extremities can often be the thinnest and weakest channels for blood to move through. By squeezing the lower legs, compression socks provide circulatory reinforcement that many people can’t achieve on their own.

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Why Should Healthcare Workers Wear Compression Socks?

Some studies estimate that 40% of the U.S. population suffers from sub-optimal circulation—veins that fail to pump enough blood back to the heart consistently.¹ For this reason, healthcare workers (and other professionals who sit and stand excessively) are at greater risk of poor circulation sheerly due to the daily demands of their job.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that standing for more than 8 hours a day poses significant health risks, all related to circulation.⁴ Fortis University, a vocational school for health care, notes that healthcare professionals in average-sized hospitals work 12-hour shifts weekly or five 8-hour shifts, though this excludes those who work overtime hours for better pay.⁵

As hospitals’ frontline workers, nurses are constantly rushing from patient to patient, standing on their feet for prolonged periods. Compression support socks are an affordable intervention that can help workers passively prioritize their health without limiting their ability to work.

Risks of Prolonged Standing

Maintaining any one position for an extended time can adversely affect body function. The CDC identifies five main health risks associated with standing for extended intervals:

Blood clots in legs – A blood clot usually forms in reaction to a bodily wound, however pooling in a particular area due to body position can also trigger unnecessary clotting and cause pain, itching, and skin discoloration as well as more serious health issues down the line.

Swelling and inflammation – Excess blood in the legs and feet can push against veins, causing swelling and irritating vein walls. These effects can cause significant leg pain and, in some cases, lasting damage.

High blood pressure – When blood pools, it pushes against blood vessels with greater force, causing blood pressure to spike. Over time, this can weaken blood vessels, making it more difficult for blood to cycle through the body and heart and depleting oxygen levels.

Varicose veins – Varicose veins occur when blood pools in the legs and feet and applies pressure to small veins. This can cause pain and also lead to enlarged veins, which may be visible beneath the surface of the skin.⁶

Fatigue and dizziness – The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) released several studies that detailed how reduced blood supply to muscles increases the risk of tiredness, lack of energy, and muscle fatigue.⁷

Benefits of Compression Socks

The activities nurses perform every day—whether standing for prolonged periods in the operating room or spending long hours on patient data entry in front of a computer—can prevent circulation from conducting at the optimal pace.

Compression socks function as a kind of external pump system, giving your circulatory system an extra “leg up” when it’s under excessive stress. Used regularly, the positive effects of wearing compression socks may include:⁸

Increased blood flow
Limited blood pooling
Lower risk of blood clots
Symptom relief for circulatory medical diagnosis

How Long Should a Nurse Wear Compression Socks?

The length of time you should keep your compression socks on depends on your current state of health, as well as recommendations from your healthcare provider. For example, Peace Health suggests that compression support socks can be used 24/7 (excluding time spent bathing), while Harvard Medical School recommends removing compression socks at night.^9,10,

If you have any health-related concerns, you may want to consult a doctor to review how compression socks could affect your circulation and your skin sensitivity. But regardless of how long you wear them, healthcare professionals recommend replacing your socks every 3 to 6 months can ensure the items remain fitted to your leg.¹¹ A good rule of thumb is to dispose of socks once they lose their stretch.

Should All Nurses Wear Compression Socks?

If compression socks increase comfort and have positive effects on energy levels, many nurses may find them tremendously beneficial to their workflow and overall quality of life.

That said, some individuals may stand to gain even more from compression socks than others. Compression garments can be particularly advantageous if:

You’re in an older age bracket – Physical activity has a positive correlation to blood flow and muscle performance.¹² Still, as we age, our muscles begin to atrophy, and our body’s ability to circulate blood and fluids can deteriorate with time.

You’re a female nurse – Two female-specific hormones, estrogen and progesterone, have been found to encourage relaxation in muscles related to blood circulation. This can make many women more susceptible to circulatory issues.¹³ For essential healthcare workers, this is particularly relevant, as the 2022 Census found that 76% of all healthcare jobs are held by women.¹⁴

You have pre-existing circulatory concerns – Unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking, carrying excessive body weight, and diabetes can all negatively impact circulation, leaving individuals predisposed to health risks.¹⁵

You’re pregnancy – Pregnant individuals often experience an overall stagnation of many bodily processes. In particular, pregnancy can trigger lower vein wall tension, which allows blood and fluids to pool more easily. For many women, this can lead to painful swelling in the extremities.

You’re a direct care nurse – A direct care nurse interacts with patients and provides constant all-around care. This job description comes with high responsibility and often means nurses are on their feet for more extended periods.

You’re an operating room nurse – If you’re an operating room nurse, you know that operations are usually completed without break, lasting for multiple hours at a time. Since operating room nurses typically stand on call to assist surgeons, they fall into a higher-risk category for standing-related health risks.

Guidelines published by The Association for Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recommend that caregivers should not stand for more than two hours continuously without interventions.

However, the demands of modern healthcare can make this benchmark unattainable for many nurses—so if you find yourself unable to meet these standards, compression socks can be a valuable addition to your workday routine.¹⁶ Plus, with modern, stylish, go-with-everything options to complement your scrubs and on-the-floor footwear, today’s compression socks keep your legs snug and safe without skimping style. For more style tips, learn how to wear scrubs with compression socks

Stand Tall in Style with Snibbs

Even essential workers need ground support, and Snibbs compression socks help you care for your body while you pour your energy toward caring for others.

Our easy-on, easy-off compression socks are designed to carry you through each long shift comfortable, energized, and ready to make a positive impact, with moisture-wicking textiles that keep you comfortable while leaving skin irritation in the dust. To go the extra mile for your health, pair your compression socks with supportive slip-resistant work shoes to help your feet stay stable and relaxed on the go.

At Snibbs, we know how important it is to spread love and put others first. That’s why we focus on creating solutions for professionals who are generous with their time and committed to a healthy future. Trust Snibbs to help keep your body on track without slowing you down.

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