Has anyone worn compression socks to try to help with ankles/feet which swell on flights?

If so, is there any reason not to remove them once you've gotten off the plane?

Hi, I wear compression knee highs on flights to Europe and they really do keep swelling away or to a minimum. I also remove them when I land, because they are really tight and not exactly comfortable for walking.

I wore them last time we flew to Europe and they helped alot. Also, drinking lots of water and walking and standing during the flight helped too.

I don't remember when I removed them...was so tired and excited, can't recall.

I had knee replacement and DR. told me to wear surgical (compression) sox on long flights for a year or so....and that some people just wear them as a precaution (surgery or not). IT's a good ideas for flights of over 3 hrs or so. Mine were thigh high...and were pretty comfortable. Recently we flew to Newark (7hrs) from UK and I wore them, but took them off for the last 3 hrs to TX. It doesn't hurt to get up and move around during even 3 hrs....and take an aspirin before boarding. Some Dr.s think just a regular support hose or even those labled "light support" are fine.

I'm glad to hear that these socks actually help. On my last trip, from SFO to Rome, I had a problem, which unfortunately continued through most of my trip..at one point, my friend and I lovingly referred to my ankles, especially the left one, as the Michelin Man, Little Hams...it was so lovely!! I felt about 90 years old. Not only was quite unattractive, but very uncomfortable. On my way back, almost an hour or so from SFO, it felt like someone was tying a large rough rope around my left ankle, I was almost in tear. I bought a pair of the compression socks from TravelSmith, but really doubted whether or not they would be affective, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I'll be using them for my upmcing trip to London in September.

What are compression socks? Are they just very tight socks? My work socks are incredibly supportive on the ankle and very tight too, they're from Red Wings. Are they about the same?

Is there any risk of harm from using these socks?

I always wear them if the flight is more than 4 hours. If the destination is very hot I take them off at the airport, otherwise I take them off at the hotel.

Thanks for all the responses.