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Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) develops in 25% to 50% of patients after deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and causes chronic symptoms such as pain, edema, skin changes, and leg ulcers. Two prior small randomized studies showed a benefit for elastic compression stockings in preventing PTS, but neither trial was placebo-controlled. Now, researchers in Canada have conducted a multicenter, placebo-controlled trial in which 806 patients with first symptomatic proximal DVTs (i.e., DVTs affecting the popliteal vein or above) were randomized to wear either active knee-high compression stockings or placebo stockings during waking hours for 2 years. Placebo stockings were identical in appearance to active compression stockings but delivered negligible com…