The only effective non-surgical method of treating varicose veins is with compression bandaging. The legs used to be wrapped in elastic bandaging right up to the thighs. Nowadays more attractive, modern compression stockings or tights can be fitted, although these have to be rather tight and may be slightly uncomfortable at the beginning (at least class II).

In order to achieve lasting results the stockings must be worn during the day, and more importantly during warm weather, which nowadays cannot be reasonably expected of anyone.

We therefore only recommend that patients wear compression stockings permanently  in special cases (e.g. advanced varicose veins, lymphoedema, after deep vein thrombosis) and as a provisional measure after varicose vein surgery (after sclerosis 4 weeks, after conventional surgery 4 weeks, after Chiva 6 weeks).

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