Friday, September 25, 2026

Vanity of Age: Compression Socks, WTH?!

 

Compression socks
Photo credit: Mzuriana

Several years back, when my new primary healthcare provider, a family nurse practitioner (FNP), suggested I begin wearing compression socks, I recoiled, aghast. Compression socks?! Whaaaaat? 

[Warning: Ageism and ableism about to commence] My thoughts: "Those are for old people! Those are for people with old-people medical problems! Besides, I don't fit my stereotype of someone who needs compression socks!" 

For a few ticks, I was speechless; I was so appalled. 

At that point, the FNP - at least a decade younger than I - pulled up one of her trouser legs and showed me her leg, clothed in a compression sock that looked like a knee sock. She said, "Today's compression socks aren't like the ones in past times. You can get these online or in a big box store." 

The socks just looked like regular ol' knee socks. They had a bit of design on them, and weren't hospital white. 

So I bought three pairs. And I wear them. 


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