Originally Posted by
Rowan
I am not so sure about this. The reason why compression stocking are used generally is because there is a problem with blood pooling in the veins at the bottom of the legs -- something caused by the fact that unlike like arteries, veins don't have valves in them to stop the backward flow of blood.
This problem is caused by inactivity of the calf muscles. In the normal course of exercise, including walking and running, the calf muscle is contracting and that action is assisting in moving the blood back up the veins to the heart -- ie, it is preventing the blood from pooling and then running the risk of clotting.
Actually, arteries lack valves and veins have valves. The problem is that as we get older, the valves in our legs -- the most highly stressed venous valves -- become less effective. That, in conjunction with atherosclerotic plaque build-up (particularly a problem with diabetics, who also may suffer neuropathy that prevents them from sensing a problem in their extremities) means that venous stasis and clots are a risk. Activity, as you note, helps prevent venous stasis, but for someone with advanced peripheral vascular disease it may not be enough.