A venous pump exists on the lateral side of the foot. Eleven patients with popliteal vein reflux were examined using Duplex scanning. The ratio of retrograde to antegrade flow in the popliteal vein following compression of the calf muscles was compared to the ratio following compression of the lateral side of the foot. Nine of the eleven patients studied exhibited proportionately less popliteal vein reflux following foot compression than calf compression (P < 0.02). The reasons are not clear but the findings raise the possibility that augmentation of venous return by foot compression may be beneficial in patients with deep venous insufficiency.
StaceyM.C.BurnandK.G.LayerG.T.PattisonM.Calf pump function in patients with healed venous ulcers is not improved by surgery to the communicating veins or by elastic stockings. Br J Surg1988; 75: 436–9.
2.
GardnerA.M.N.FoxR.H.The venous pump of the human foot – preliminary report. Bristol Medico-Chir J1983; 98: 109–12.
3.
GardnerA.M.N.FoxR.H.The return of the blood to the heart against the force of gravity. In: Phlebology '85, eds NegusD.JantetG., pp. 65–7, London: Libbey, 1986.
McMullinG.M.SmithP.D. ColeridgeScurrJ.H.An assessment of the effect of the foot pump on venous emptying in chronic venous insufficiency. In: Phlebology '89, eds DavyA.StemnerR., pp. 69–71. London: Libbey, 1989.
