Can I sleep in compression socks?

Can I sleep in compression socks? We do not recommend it.
This is one of our frequently asked questions - and we have a lot of customers tell us that they sleep in their socks with no bad side effects - but most people should not sleep in the compression socks.

Why you shouldn't sleep in compression socks.
When you're lying down, your circulatory system should be working at or near 100%. In a horizontal position, your veins do not have to fight gravity to push the blood and fluid back to your heart. Wearing a compression sock at night can apply unnecessary pressure to your ankle and create a tourniquet that cuts off your circulation. If you are generally healthy or have mild to moderate venous insufficiency, put the socks on as soon as you get up in the morning, and take them off before bed.

Why do they give me compression at the hospital, though?
After surgery, you're at a higher risk of developing a blood clot, so wearing compression is important post-surgery. Additionally, in the hospital you may be bedridden or lying down for more than your usual 8 hours of sleep. Lying down for days at a time is not great for your circulatory system either and puts you at risk for blood clots. Most hospitals will give you TED Hose to prevent blood clots from forming or they will put your legs in a massaging boot that helps promote circulation. TED Hose (sometimes called "anti-embolism stockings") are different than compression socks because they apply the most compression to the calf (instead of the ankle), where blood clots are more likely to form when you are bedridden. If you are being sent home from the hospital, and confined to bed there, you may be told to continue wearing the TED Hose at home.

What about night-time garments for lymphedema?
If you have been diagnosed with lymphedema, your doctor may recommend that you wear compression at night to help control stubborn swelling. Manufacturers make garments specifically for night wear - and our favorite is the Solaris TributeWrap. This is built with cooling foam to keep you cool and comfortable - and dynamic compression which will not create a tourniquet when you're lying down.

If the TributeWrap is out of your budget, we have other compression wrap options that are safe to wear 24 hours a day. These velcro wraps apply strong compression only when you are moving, so they are safe to wear at night.

Bottom line: No matter what your situation - check with your doctor first before wearing compression at night.