How to Put on Compression Socks with a Compression Sock Tool

Need to wear compressions socks? Tired of trying to find how to put on compression socks?

Relief is here!

I’ll show you step-by-step how reduce the burden of daily compression sock wearing using a compression sock donning tool (there’s also another one with extendable handles). This technique is something I have taught many patients over the years.

Compression socks are a vital tool for management of many common conditions including lymph edema, venous insufficiency, general edema and general lower extremity discomfort.

If you do not have a compression sock donning tool available and need additional help putting on a compression sock, I have another blog post on how to put on a compression sock without tools.

If you prefer a video tutorial, please check out my YouTube channel!

How to Put on Compression Socks With a Compression Sock Tool

Estimated Time: 5 minutes
Estimated Cost: $30-50 (depending on which tool you choose)

Supplies Needed:

Compression socks

Tools Required:

Steps:

Place compression sock donning tool on your lap
Push compression sock over the sock donning tool
Pull sock until heal covers the opening of the tool
Slip foot into opening of compression sock
Pull handles of donning tool until compression sock is in place

Step 1: Place Compression Sock Donning Tool on Your Lap

Compression Sock Donning Tool Orientation — Compression sock donning tool. The “U” shape should face away from you.

First step, place the sock donning tool in your lap in the proper orientation. Place the sock donning tool on your lap oriented as appearing in the picture above with the “U”, or open portion, facing away from your body.

You can place the sock donning tool on a tabletop surface, but I find the lap to be easiest for stabilizing once you place the compression sock over the tool.

Step 2: Push Compression Sock Over the Sock Donning Tool

How to put on compression sock - push sock over donning tool with toes down — Push compression sock over sock donning tool with toes down

You’ll need your compression sock for the next step. Hold the sock up in front with you trying to keep the toes down and pointed away from you.

Lower the sock down the center of the “U” opening. When the top of the sock is level with the top of the “U”…stop. Now, open the top of the sock and stretch the edges of the sock over the sock donning tool with toes down and body of the sock bunching along the edges of the tool like the picture above.

Step 3: Pull Sock Until Heal Covers the Opening of the Tool

How to put on compression socks - pull sock until heal covers opening — Compression sock over sock donning tool with heal covering the opening

The next step is really an extension of the step 3, but it is really important for proper fit so you do have to adjust the sock later.

Pull the compression sock over the sock donning tool until the heal of the sock is over the opening of the donning tool, as evidenced in the photo above.

Tip: Having a compression sock with toes and heals that have colors can be helpful, because it will be easier to tell when the heel is over the opening of the donning tool.

The purpose of this step is to ensure that the toe of the sock is very close to the top of the opening.

Why? Because in the next step, you’ll pull the sock over your leg, but before you do that, you should make sure that your toes reach the end of your sock. If they don’t, when you go to pull the sock on, there will be part of your sock hanging off the end of your foot and that can be difficult to adjust later.

The tool should be held on your lap with the heal closest to your body before attempting to place toe into tool and pulling over leg.

Step 4: Slip Foot into Opening of Compression Sock

Put on compression socks - Hold tool and put foot into compression sock — Pull sock over leg using donning tool grips

The next step is straightforward. Holding the handles of the sock donning tool, place your toes into opening of the sock and begin pulling your foot into the sock. Once again, make sure your toes are at the tip of the sock before continuing to pull over the leg.

Step 5: Pull handles of donning tool until compression sock is in place

Put on compression socks - pull compression sock over leg using donning tool

Put on compression socks - pull compression sock all the way using donning tool

Continue pulling the sock over your leg until the sock is in place and remove the tool. Check the sock for any bunching, rolling or pinching. It is important to check that the sock is completely smooth to prevent possible blistering or skin irritation.

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