Three-year follow-up of the compression use in lower limb edema during pregnancy: A case report

Abstract

Lower limb edema with its accompanying subjective ailments has been increasingly frequent in gravid women and in the postpartum period. The management is essentially non-interventional based on compression therapy (CT) with physical exercise adapted to the severity of venous disease and edema. A case of lower limb edema in a woman in the thirty third week of pregnancy was described. CT including compressive bandaging (CB) by short-stretch bandage and compression garments (CG) with physical activity was applied. Edema volume reduction, changes in consistency from hard to mild in palpation and reduction of accompanying ailments by use of CB after two weeks were observed. Further improvement by use of CG before and after delivery, and 3 years later was confirmed. Compression and physical exercise have a positive impact on edema reduction and leg symptoms intensity during pregnancy and should be recommended.