The Venous System

In order to fully understand how compression stockings help alleviate venous disorders, from small varicose veins to varicose ulcers and thrombosis, it is important to first understand exactly how the circulatory system functions in the lower extremities and what causes these disorders.

The venous system in the leg is composed of two elements, the superficial veins and the deep veins.   While the superficial veins lie directly beneath the skin and are mainly for temperature control, the deep veins lie deep within the legs, acting as a reservoir for the body's blood supply.  Blood returning to the heart from these veins is impeded by the downward pressure of gravity.  To counteract this force, there are a series of one-way valves in every vein that prevent backflow.  As muscles around these veins contract during ordinary movement, they squeeze the blood upward through the valves and force the column of blood back to the heart.