Wear compression stockings for at least two weeks after surgery, though many surgeons recommend four to six weeks for best results
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions based on your surgery and recovery, but the standard timeline is two weeks minimum. Some patients wear them longer—up to six weeks—depending on swelling, mobility, and whether you had complications. The goal is to prevent blood clots and reduce fluid buildup in your leg while you heal. Stop wearing them only when your surgeon says it is safe, not when they feel uncomfortable or your leg looks normal.
Compression stockings work by squeezing your calf and thigh, pushing blood back toward your heart instead of letting it pool in your leg. After knee surgery, your leg is immobilized or moving very little, which slows circulation. Slower circulation raises the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—a blood clot in a deep vein. Compression stockings are one of the main tools surgeons use to prevent this, along with blood-thinning medication and early movement.
Key Takeaways
- Wear compression stockings for at least two weeks after knee replacement surgery, though four to six weeks is common depending on your surgeon's instructions.
- Remove them only when your surgeon tells you to, not based on comfort or how your leg looks.
- Wear them during the day and night for the first two weeks; after that, your surgeon may say daytime only is enough.
- Proper fit matters—stockings that are too loose do not work, and stockings that are too tight can cut off circulation or cause skin damage.
- Signs to watch for include increased swelling, warmth, redness, or calf pain, which may mean you need to contact your surgeon.
Timeline: When to Start and Stop
You will put on compression stockings before surgery or when ready after in the recovery room. Wear them continuously—day and night—for the first two weeks. After two weeks, ask your surgeon whether you can switch to daytime wear only, or whether you should keep wearing them around the clock.
At the four-week mark, many surgeons clear patients to stop wearing them entirely if swelling has gone down and mobility is improving. However, if your leg is still swollen, you are not walking much, or your surgeon is concerned about clot risk, you may wear them for six weeks or longer. Do not make this decision on your own. Call your surgeon's office if you are unsure whether to keep wearing them past the two-week point.
Getting the Right Fit
Compression stockings come in different lengths (knee-high, thigh-high, or full-length) and different compression levels, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). After knee replacement, knee-high stockings with 15–20 mmHg compression are typical, though your surgeon may prescribe a different level. The hospital or surgical center usually provides them before you go home, or your surgeon will write a prescription you can fill at a pharmacy or medical supply store.
Fit is critical. Stockings that are too loose will not compress properly and will not prevent clots. Stockings that are too tight can cut off circulation, cause skin breakdown, or leave deep marks on your skin. Have a nurse or medical supply specialist measure your leg before you buy or use them. Measurements should include your calf circumference and the length from your heel to just below your knee. If the fit feels wrong after a few days—too tight, rolling down, or cutting into your skin—contact your surgeon or the medical supply store for a replacement pair.
Wearing Them Correctly During Recovery
Put on compression stockings first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed if possible. This prevents fluid from pooling in your leg overnight. If you have trouble pulling them on because of pain or limited mobility, ask a family member to help, or ask your physical therapist for a stocking aid—a plastic device that helps you slide the stocking on without bending your knee.
Wear them over clean, dry skin. Do not wear them over lotion or moisturizer, which can make them slip. Take them off once a day to wash your leg and inspect the skin for redness, blistering, or irritation. Wash the stockings by hand in cool water with mild soap, then air-dry them flat. Do not put them in the dryer or wring them out, as heat and wringing damage the elastic.
Signs You Should Contact Your Surgeon
Increased swelling, warmth, redness, or pain in your calf or thigh—especially if it happens suddenly—can signal a blood clot or an infection. Do not wait to see if it goes away. Call your surgeon right away. Other warning signs include skin that turns blue or purple, numbness or tingling that does not go away, or stockings that leave deep grooves or marks that do not fade within an hour of removing them.
If you develop a rash or blistering under the stockings, remove them and contact your surgeon. You may have a skin sensitivity to the material, or the fit may be wrong. Your surgeon can prescribe a different type or recommend a barrier fabric to wear underneath.
What Happens If You Stop Too Early
Stopping compression stockings before your surgeon clears you raises your clot risk, especially in the first two weeks when your leg is least mobile. Blood clots can form silently—you might not feel anything until a clot breaks loose and travels to your lungs, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, or worse. This is rare but serious. Wear the stockings for the full time your surgeon recommends, even if they feel uncomfortable or your leg looks fine.
Some patients stop wearing them early because they are hot, itchy, or inconvenient. These are real discomforts, but they are temporary. If the stockings are truly unbearable, talk to your surgeon about alternatives or modifications rather than stopping on your own. Your surgeon may suggest wearing them only at night, or switching to a different style or compression level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shower or bathe while wearing compression stockings?
Remove them before showering or bathing. Wet stockings lose their compression and can trap moisture against your skin, which can cause irritation. Dry your leg completely before putting on a fresh pair. If you have a waterproof dressing over your incision, ask your surgeon whether you can shower before removing the stockings.
What if my leg swells more when I wear the stockings?
Some swelling is normal and does not mean the stockings are making it worse. However, if swelling increases suddenly or the stockings feel much tighter than they did the day before, remove them and call your surgeon. Your leg may have developed a clot or infection, or the stockings may be the wrong size.
Do I need to wear compression stockings at night?
Yes, for at least the first two weeks. Blood clots are more likely when you are immobile, and you are least mobile at night. After two weeks, your surgeon may say daytime wear is enough, but ask before you stop wearing them at night.
Can I wear regular socks instead of compression stockings?
No. Regular socks do not provide the graduated compression needed to prevent clots. Compression stockings are specifically designed to squeeze your leg in a way that pushes blood upward. Regular socks will not do this and will not lower your clot risk.
What if I forgot to wear them for a day or two?
Put them back on as soon as you remember. One or two missed days in the first two weeks raises your clot risk, but it does not mean a clot has formed. If you are worried, call your surgeon. Going forward, set a phone reminder to put them on each morning so you do not forget.