Exercise with compression stockings improves reflux in patients with mild chronic venous insufficiency

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of calf muscle strengthening with compression stockings on the haemodynamics in patients with venous disease.

Method: Patients were assigned to a protocol of aggressive management of their chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) including compression stockings (Jobst knee high, 30–40 mmHg ankle), intermittent leg elevation, and a supervised calf muscle strengthening programme. Patients underwent baseline air plethysmography (APG) with and without stockings (T1) and SF-12, Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire and venous severity score. Exercise sessions included a total of 18, 1 h supervised sessions, 2–3 times per week, consisting of 15 min on treadmill, 10 min on a Stairmaster, 10 min on a Nustep, and 5 min on an airdyne bicycle and lower body strength training. The sessions were supervised by an exercise physiologist. At completion, patients underwent a second APG (T2) and a third (T3) one month later, as well as answering questionnaires. A final venous severity score was assigned.

Results: Eleven patients (7M, 4F), 22 limbs, 14 with CVI and eight without CVI, mean age 60, made up this study. Only two patients suffered from postphlebitic syndrome. In all, 10/11 subjects completed the entire protocol. Although no significant differences were noted in any of the APG parameters between T1 and T2 or T2 and T3, there were significant differences when segregating into C2 (n = 6 patients with eight involved limbs) and C4, 5 (n = 5 patients with six involved limbs). Concerning the affected extremities, statistically significant decreases in venous volume (VV) with stockings on between T1 and T2, which reverted back to baseline at T3, and in venous filling index (VFI) between T2 and T3 without stockings were noted (P<0.05) in C2 limbs. Similar findings were not observed in the C4, C5 limbs, with actual increases in these parameters. Greater increases in ejection fraction were noted in C2 limbs than in C4, C5 limbs. Despite the decrease in reflux in C2 limbs, residual volume fraction (RVF) increased in C2 limbs at T2 both with (P<0.05) and without stockings, while it decreased in C4, C5 limbs with stockings in place. Finally, outflow fraction (OF) increased only in C2 limbs without stockings in place. Regarding the other parameters, all patients noted improvement in swelling by Aberdeen questionnaire, physical health was improved by SF-12 and patients lost a mean of 3.8 lb of weight.

Conclusions: An exercise programme along with compression stockings resulted in a decrease in reflux, especially during the supervised exercise programme, in patients with mild (C2) chronic venous disease. For more extensive disease (C4, C5), the programme tended to decrease RVF.