Why Wearing Compression Hose Is Important When Getting Laser Varicose Vein Treatment

Varicose veins are veins that are larger than they should be and twisted irregularly. Varicose veins can occur anywhere, but they occur most often in the legs due to the veins experiencing increased pressure when you stand or walk, especially for long periods of time. Therefore, some people are at higher risk of developing varicose veins than others, such as educators, nurses, and anyone who spends most of their time on their feet. Here's what you need to know if you have varicose veins. 

Medical Necessity

While varicose veins can be unsightly, they can also be painful and cause discomfort. And there's a chance that varicose veins can lead to serious health implications. Because of these things, laser varicose vein treatment is medically required rather than merely for cosmetic reasons. However, most health insurance companies have one primary requirement: compression hose.

Compression Hose

Most insurance companies require their patients to try wearing compression hose first to see if doing so helps improve their varicose veins and diminishes their pain and discomfort. However, even if the compression hose only help a tiny bit, it'll be helpful to get accustomed to wearing them before laser treatment because you will need to wear them after laser treatment anyhow, as they are part of the recovery and healing process. In fact, the patients in a clinical research group studying the wearing of compression stockings after laser varicose vein treatment found that patients had less pain when they wore the stockings for two weeks than those who wore no stockings at all. 

Hose Donner

Since compression hose are required before and after laser treatment, for different reasons, if you experience trouble putting compression socks on, tell your physician. Depending on your personal situation, he or she may be able to write a prescription for you for what is called a donner, which is a device that aids in putting compression hose and stockings on. This device essentially holds the hose open for you so you can slip your leg into it and then have something to grip onto when pulling the hose up. It's a wonderful tool for those who have additional medical issues that can make it difficult to put on compression hose, such as someone with rheumatoid arthritis or a joint injury. 

As with any medical procedure, follow all the instructions your physician gives to you before and after laser treatment for your varicose veins, including wearing compression hose. For more information, contact a laser varicose vein treatment specialist.


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