If you work with post surgical orthopedic patients in any setting, chances are you will be asked about donning compression stockings. There are many different adaptive equipment options out there, each with their own pros and cons. But before you can recommend any AE/DME or give any client specific recommendations, it helps to know how to don compression stockings without an assistive device. Because, let’s be honest—most of us have likely never done it. And besides that, once you know the proper technique for how to don compression stockings, you’ll realize it’s really not so difficult after all and perhaps some of your clients can do it without an assistive device.

The first step in donning compression stockings is to turn the upper part of the stocking inside out until you reach just below the heel.

Next don the lower, right-side-out part of the stocking as you would a sock, stopping just below the heel. Be sure to leave enough slack in the toe area to prevent compression of the toes. The remainder of the stocking should still be hanging slack over the foot

Grabbing a little below the fold of the stocking, slowly work the stocking over the rest of your foot a little at a time, inverting the stocking as you go. When you reach the heel, be sure that the heel of the stocking aligns correctly over the heel of your foot as this will ensure you have left sufficient space in the toe area.

Continue working the stocking up the leg a little at a time, watching for wrinkles and smoothing out any that form. Be careful not to pull forcefully on the stocking, particularly as you near the top edge, as the material can bust, forming a hole.

When you almost reach the top of the stocking, gently invert the remaining stocking and pull it smooth on the thigh. Most stockings will have bands of rubbery material to grip the skin and prevent the stocking from sliding down to the narrower portions of the leg, so be sure that these rubbery areas fit smoothly and comfortably on the thigh.

And that is how you don a compression stocking without adaptive equipment. You can use an activity analysis to determine if this task is something your client can perform in this manner or if you will need to recommend modifications or adaptive equipment to ensure success, just be sure to factor any post surgical precautions into your activity analysis to prevent injury. To learn more about how to complete an activity analysis click here.

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