Not sure what to do when the fabric reaches your ankle or heel? Pulling harder isn't the answer.
This guide walks through each stage of taking off a knee-high pair, and what to do if you get stuck. Follow any instructions that came with your exact socks, or with any removal aid you use.
How do you take off compression socks?
Lower them in stages, from the top down, and release the heel and foot last.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust tells its patients not to roll the stocking to remove it, and to slide it gently down the leg in sections. Our own how-to guide for LeafSock socks gives these steps: lower them gradually instead of rolling them tightly, work the fabric down in sections, and release the heel and foot last.
Some removal aids work differently. A best practice statement published by Wounds UK describes a rolling aid that the hosiery is folded over and slid down the leg. If you use an aid, follow its own instructions.
Get ready: seat, grip and surface
A steady setup makes every later step easier.
- Sit down where you can reach your lower leg comfortably.
- Gloves for grip. Wounds UK says rubber gloves with soft interior linings can aid grip when putting on and removing compression stockings. Kent recommends non-latex gloves, which help you grip the stocking and prevent accidental scratches to your skin.
- An anti-slip mat under your feet can help, Wounds UK notes.
- Check nails and rough skin. Kent says to take care that stockings aren't damaged by calluses, rough skin or nails.
Step by step: from the top band to your toes
These steps follow our how-to guide and Kent's leaflet.
- Start at the top band. Take hold of the fabric around the top, rather than pinching one small spot. Our guide says to avoid pulling from one small area or folding the cuff into a tight band. If you have pain, numbness or tingling at any point, see the warning signs below.
- Lower it over your calf in sections. Move the fabric down a little at a time. Don't roll it into a tight ring. If it won't move gently, stop and see "What if you get stuck?" below.
- Work it over your ankle. Keep lowering it in short sections down to your heel. Stop if it won't move gently.
- Ease it past your heel. Our guide says to ease the sock past the heel and to avoid pulling hard from the toe. If it catches here, stop rather than pulling harder.
- Slide it off your foot. With the heel free, release the foot last and carefully remove the sock. Don't pull hard from the toe.
- Lay it flat. Straighten the fabric and lay it flat, as Kent suggests.
Taking off compression socks
1. Top band
Hold the fabric around the top, not one small spot.
2. Calf
Lower it a little at a time. Do not roll it tight.
3. Ankle
Keep lowering in short sections to your heel.
4. Heel
Ease it past the heel. Do not pull hard from the toe.
5. Foot
Release the foot last and lay the sock flat.
Taking off compression socks, based on our how-to guide and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.
View the original illustrated guide and sources
Wounds UK notes that putting on and taking off compression hosiery is a new skill that may take patience and practice.
What if you get stuck?
Match what's happening to the next step below. Don't keep pulling harder.
| What's happening | What to do next |
|---|---|
| You can't grip the fabric | Try gloves, as above. If you still can't get a hold, ask someone to help, or tell your healthcare professional. Kent advises telling your healthcare professional about any issues. |
| You can't reach your feet | Ask your healthcare professional about aids. Wounds UK says application and removal aids are typically either fabric or rigid, and that they should be chosen according to each person's physical needs. Some rigid aids have long handles that may help if you have difficulty bending forward to reach your foot, and fabric aids still need you to bend to your feet. Check that any aid you choose helps with taking socks off, not only putting them on. |
| The fabric catches at the heel and won't move gently | Stop pulling. Our suggestion: lower the fabric above the heel a little more, then try easing it past the heel again. If it still won't come gently, get help rather than cutting or hooking the fabric free. |
| You have pain, numbness or tingling, and you can't get the sock off | Our advice: contact a healthcare professional right away rather than waiting to try again later. |
Signs to take them off and call your provider
Cleveland Clinic says to take compression socks off if they feel uncomfortably tight, and to remove them if you notice:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Skin discoloration or damage
- Worsening swelling
It calls these all reasons to call your provider. Kent adds that if you notice a change in sensation such as pins and needles or numbness, you must remove your stockings immediately and contact your healthcare professional for advice.
Once they're off
Lay the socks flat, and check your skin. Healthline suggests checking for redness, dents, dryness and chafing between wears.
For washing and drying, see our guide on how to wash compression socks. If they felt uncomfortably tight on the way off, our guide on how tight compression socks should be can help you judge the fit.
The bottom line
Take compression socks off in stages: from the top band down in sections, over the ankle, past the heel, and off the foot last. Use gloves or a mat for grip, and get help instead of forcing fabric that catches.
When you choose your next pair, measure first with our fit guide, then look at our open-toe compression socks.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to roll compression socks down to take them off?
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust tells its patients not to roll the stocking to remove it, and our own guide says to lower socks gradually instead of rolling them tightly. Some removal aids are designed to work by rolling, so if you use one, follow its instructions.
What should I do if the sock catches at my heel?
Stop pulling. Our how-to guide says to ease the sock past the heel and avoid pulling hard from the toe. Our suggestion: lower the fabric above the heel a little more and try again. If it still won't come off gently, ask someone to help or contact your healthcare professional.
What if I can't reach my feet to take off compression socks?
Ask your healthcare professional about aids. Wounds UK says aids are typically fabric or rigid and should be chosen according to each person's physical needs. Some rigid aids have long handles that may help if bending is hard. Check that the aid helps with taking socks off, not only putting them on.
Do gloves really help with taking off compression socks?
They can. Wounds UK says rubber gloves with soft interior linings can aid grip when putting on and removing compression stockings. Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust recommends non-latex gloves, which help you grip and prevent accidental scratches to your skin.
What should I do if my legs feel numb or tingly in compression socks?
Take them off immediately. Kent says that if you notice a change in sensation such as pins and needles or numbness, you must remove your stockings immediately and contact your healthcare professional. If you can't get them off, our advice is to contact a healthcare professional right away.
Sources
- Applying graduated compression stockings — Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Best Practice Statement: Compression hosiery (2021) — Wounds UK (supported by an educational grant from a compression manufacturer)
- What You Need To Know About Compression Socks — Cleveland Clinic
- Can Wearing Compression Socks Be Harmful? — Healthline (medically reviewed)