More than 150,000 people per year have strokes in the UK

It was previously thought that the tightness of the stocking encouraged blood flow to the legs which prevented blood clots from forming and travelling to the lungs or heart, where they can be fatal.  About two-thirds of stroke patients can’t walk on admission to hospital and about 15 per cent of these develop blood clots as a result.

The study by the University of Edinburgh examined 2,500 patients in the UK, Italy and Australia, giving compression stockings to half of them but other standard treatment such as aspirin and exercise to all.

After 30 days there was no significant difference in the blood clot rate between the two groups, however the group with stockings experienced more skin breaks, ulcers and blisters than those without.

Professor Martin Dennis, who worked on the study, said, “The guidelines on the use of stockings have been based on evidence collected in surgical patients and not in stroke patients… The national guidelines need to be revised and we need further research to establish effective treatments for these patients.”

It is estimated that cutting the use of stockings for stroke victims could save the NHS around £7 million and 320,000 of nursing time each year, however stockings are still recommended for long-haul flights and after surgery.