Effect of Compression Stockings on Leg Volume in Patients with Varicose Veins

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of thigh-length compression stockings on the venous blood pool and interstitial oedema in patients with varicose veins.

Setting:

Department of General Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Patients:

Forty-six patients with unilateral long saphenous varicose veins.

Main outcome measures:

The effects of compression stockings on optoelectronically measured volumes of normal legs and legs with varicose veins in supine and upright positions.

Results:

Changing body position from a supine to an upright position leads to an increased leg volume by venous blood pooling (236.5 ml and 255.5 ml, respectively, p < 0.001). The volume difference between normal legs and legs with varicose veins in the supine position was 172.5 ml, and in the upright position 187.0 ml (p < 0.001). After putting on compression thigh-length stockings, the volume of both normal legs and legs with varicose veins decreased by 314.5 ml and 358.0 ml (acute compression effect). Elastic compression for 8 h produced no significant additional reduction in the leg volumes. Wearing the stockings for 7 successive days failed to reduce the volume in the normal legs, whereas a further reduction in the legs with varicose veins was measured (supine position 61.0 ml, p < 0.05; upright position 72.0 ml, p < 0.05) (long-term compression effect).

Conclusions:

Wearing compression stockings rapidly reduces venous blood pools of the legs. Long-term wear is necessary to mobilize the interstitial limb oedema in patients with superficial venous insufficiency.