How do Compression Stockings Work on Fluid Edema?

Humans have small amounts of fluid in the body that provide water and nutrients to the tissues. The lymphatic system is responsible for collecting these fluids, and when the lymphatic system is damaged, infected, or when certain hormones or medications are taken, large amounts of body fluid can collect in the tissues - a phenomenon most common in the legs, which can cause localized locations to swell, discolor, and feel stiff.

For leg edema, compression stockings can be beneficial: by applying pressure to the leg, they increase the absorption and transport of tissue fluids by the lymph, thus preventing and reducing edema and maintaining the proper normal shape of the affected area.