Background/aims: Oedema is one of the most frequent signs of chronic venous insufficiency and may be present at all stages of this disorder. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of four different types of elastic compression stockings on oedema prevention in patients with varicose veins.
Methods: An increase in foot volume after elevation of the leg was evaluated by strain gauge plethysmography in 20 limbs with varicose veins and 14 normal limbs, and the effects of four different compression stockings--8, 14, 22 and 30-40 mmHg--were compared.
Results: All stockings significantly reduced the foot volume increase compared with the no stockings patient group and the normal group. There was no significant difference in the volume increase in the normal group for all four stockings, while there was a significantly smaller volume increase in the 22 mmHg stocking compared to the 14 mmHg stocking in the patient group. Between the 22 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg stockings or between the 14 mmHg and 8 mmHg stockings, there was no significant difference in the volume increase.
Conclusion: Elastic stockings, even with a pressure as low as 8 mmHg, can prevent oedema in patients with varicose veins, as well as in normal controls. However, the 22 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg stockings were better at preventing foot oedema in patients with varicose veins than those exerting less compression.