mmHg Compression Stockings Research Articles

Comparison of Physiological Effects Induced by Two Compression Stockings and Regular Socks During Prolonged Standing Work.

The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare lower-leg muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort induced by the prolonged standing of security guards wearing regular socks and those wearing 15-20 or 20-30 mmHg compression stockings as intervention. Compression stockings are sometimes used by individuals standing all day at work. However, quantitative evidence showing their potential benefits for lower-leg health issues in healthy individuals during real working conditions is lacking. Forty male security employees participated in the study. All were randomly assigned to the control or one of the two intervention groups (I15-20 or I20-30). Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, and discomfort ratings were measured before and after their regular 12-hr standing work shift. Significant evidence of lower-leg long-lasting muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort was observed after standing work for guards wearing regular socks. However, no significant changes were found for guards wearing either compression stockings. In healthy individuals, compression stockings seem to attenuate efficiently the tested outcomes in the lower leg resulting from prolonged standing. Occupational activities requiring prolonged standing may benefit from 15-20 or 20-30 mmHg compression stockings. As similar benefits were observed for both levels of compression, the lower level may be sufficient.

Comparison of 15-20 mmHg versus 20-30 mmHg Compression Stockings in Reducing Occupational Oedema in Standing and Seated Healthy Individuals.

Background Elastic compression stockings (ECS) are effective in preventing and reducing occupational edema (OE), but the optimal pressure according to the prevalent working position during the day is still controversial. Objective To compare the effectiveness of ECS with different pressures (15–20 mmHg or 20–30 mmHg) for reducing OE in individuals working in different prolonged postures. Methods This cross-sectional study comprised 116 lower limbs of 58 individuals divided into three groups according to their prevalent postures over the day (sitting, standing, or combination). Volumetric measurements were taken at the beginning and at the end of three consecutive days. On the first day, individuals did not use compression stockings; on the second and third days, they used, respectively, 15–20 mmHg and 20–30 mmHg knee-length stockings. Differences between morning and evening volumes (measured edema) were calculated, compared, and correlated. Results Volumetric variations were significantly lower on the second compared to the first day when individuals in all three groups used 15–20 mmHg compression stockings (p-value < 0.001). Measurements were even lower when they used 20–30 mmHg stockings: this decrease was more significant for the sitting (p-value < 0.001) than the standing (p-value < 0.05) and combined groups (p-value < 0.05). Reduction of measured edema was more significant in individuals working in a prolonged seated position. No significant difference was found only on comparing sitting and standing groups after the use of the 15–20 mmHg compression stockings. Conclusions The use of ECS over a working day reduces OE in prolonged sitting, standing, and combined positions, with the reductions being greater with the higher pressure.

Maintenance of the Results of Stage II Lower Limb Lymphedema Treatment after Normalization of Leg Size.

Objective The aim of this study was to identify strategies to transfer responsibility of the maintenance of the results of lymphedema treatment to the patient. Methods Maintenance of the reduction of edema was evaluated in a prospective clinical trial in patients with Stage II leg lymphedema. Twenty-one lymphedematous lower limbs were evaluated in Clínica Godoy in 2014 and 2016. The evaluation was done by volumetry at baseline and weekly thereafter for volume control. Patients wore Venosan® cotton 20/30 and 30/40 mmHg elastic compression stockings followed by a custom-made inelastic stocking made of grosgrain fabric. The Friedman test for multiple comparisons and Conover post hoc test were used for statistical analysis with an alpha error of 5%. Results On comparing leg volume changes using the different types of stockings, the 20/30 mmHg elastic compression stockings failed in the first week to maintain the volume reductions but the 30/40 mmHg compression stockings did not allow significant increases in volume (p value > 0.05). During one week, the grosgrain stocking reduced leg volumes to baseline values (p value = 0.24). Conclusion Higher compression of elastic stockings is better than lower compression but the inelastic grosgrain stocking is even better than both to maintain the results.

Compression Stockings for Treating Venous Leg Ulcers

Background. In order to treat venous leg ulcers, it is recommended to use high pressure compression (30–40 mmHg at the ankle). Compression stockings which are not operator dependant could be the best option because of their pressure control. However 30–40 mmHg compression stockings are often hard to put on. Putting two lower pressure compression stockings over each other could be a good therapeutic alternative. Objectives. To compare the in vitro pressures given by the manufacturers of 2 antiulcer kits with the in vivo interface pressures measured in healthy subjects and to evaluate the stiffness and friction indices from those kits based on the interface pressure in order to assess their clinical properties. Material and Methods. Using a Kikuhime pressure device, interface pressure was measured in 12 healthy subjects at the reference point B1. One stiffness index (Static Stiffness Index (SSI)) and a friction index have been calculated. Results. Mediven Ulcer kit gets the recommended pressures whereas Jobst’s Ulcer Care kit does not for treating a venous leg ulcer. Jobst’s Ulcer Care transmits entirely the pressure in relation to a friction index close to 1. Conclusion. This antiulcer kit study underlines that in vivo and in vitro pressures can be different (Jobst’s Ulcer Care kit and Mediven Ulcer kit). In order not to lose pressure, it is important to take into account the friction index when superimposing two stockings.

Efeito do uso de meia elástica sobre os níveis dos biomarcadores de lesão muscular em atletas de voleibol após atividade física

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis plasmáticos dos biomarcadores de lesão muscular, a saber, creatina quinase, lactato desidrogenase e mioglobina, em atletas profissionais de voleibol após exercícios musculares anaeróbicos, com e sem uso de meia elástica. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas dez jogadoras profissionais de voleibol, com idades entre 18 e 25 anos, utilizando ou não meia elástica (Sport Active®, Venosan, Abreu e Lima, Brasil), com compressão de 20 a 30 mmHg abaixo do joelho. As dosagens foram feitas em três momentos: M0, início da manhã, com as atletas em repouso sem uso de meia elástica; M1, início da manhã, após a realização de atividade física com uso de meia elástica; M2, sete dias depois, após a realização dos mesmos exercícios, porém sem uso de meia elástica. Aplicou-se a escala de Borg após cada série de atividade física para avaliação do esforço. RESULTADOS: Os valores médios obtidos para creatina quinase e lactato desidrogenase foram, respectivamente, de 117,7±40,2 e 134,2±11,3 U/L, em M0; 138,2±47,2 e 157,9±10,1 U/L, em M1; e 161,3±59,9 e 177,2±18,8 U/L, em M2. Os valores médios obtidos para mioglobina foram de 31,5±6,5; 34,9±5,6 e 38,6±12,6 µg/L nos momentos M0, M1 e M2, respectivamente. Houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas (Tukey) entre M1 e M2 para os valores de creatina quinase (p=0,0007) e lactato desidrogenase (p=0,000), mas não para os valores de mioglobina (p=0,1135). Os escores da escala de Borg em M1 e M2 foram, respectivamente, de 17,8 e 18,2, sem diferença estatisticamente significante entre eles (Wilcoxon). CONCLUSÃO: O uso da meia elástica foi associado a menores níveis plasmáticos dos biomarcadores de lesão muscular após exercício físico.

Compression versus sclerotherapy for patients with isolated refluxing reticular veins and telangiectasia: a randomized trial comparing quality-of-life outcomes

To prospectively study quality-of-life (QoL) benefits comparing compression stockings to sclerotherapy in subjects with symptomatic reticular veins and telangiectasia. Fifty-eight consecutive female patients with normal saphenous and deep venous systems and venous dysfunction score (VDS) ≥ 4 were randomized to either sclerotherapy (N = 29) or thigh high 20-30 mmHg compression stockings (N = 29). Following a trial of compression, subjects in the compression arm were eligible to crossover to the sclerotherapy arm. Patient-reported QoL data were acquired using a modified Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire in five stages, initial severity (T₀), following compression trial (T₁), after reticular vein sclerotherapy (T₂), approximately three months after sclerotherapy for telangiectasia (T₃) and the 12-month mark (T₄). For patients in the compression arm, four key symptoms including aching, pain, leg cramps and restlessness were significantly reduced, while patients in the sclerotherapy arm of treatment reported broad symptom relief in all key symptoms assessed. Isolated refluxing reticular and telangiectatic vein disease may cause QoL impairment in select patients and represent far more than a cosmetic concern. Compression therapy offers relief of aching, pain, leg cramping and restlessness in patients with isolated refluxing reticular veins and telangiectasia. Sclerotherapy of reticular veins offers a statistically superior broad spectrum relief of symptoms, while additional sclerotherapy of residual telangiectasia in this cohort demonstrated additive relief of aching and pain. Symptom assessments at 12 months suggest ongoing symptom relief following sclerotherapy.