Edema of the Leg and Elastic Compression Stockings

Abstract

Edema is frequently associated with venous and lymphatic insufficiency of the leg, but edema of the leg is also a common phenomenon in the general population. Elastic compression stockings are often used to prevent edema in patients with venous or lymphatic diseases, as well as in healthy persons. The beneficial effects of elastic compression stockings on edema prevention have been demonstrated by measurements of circumference and volume of the leg using various kinds of plethysmography such as air plethysmography, strain gauge plethysmography and water plethysmography, optical leg volume meter, three-dimensional measurement system and MRI. However, the degree of edema might depend on the pathogenesis and degree of the diseases, age, sex, BMI and occupation, and differ at the calf, ankle and foot. The techniques for evaluating the effects of elastic compression stockings on edema prevention, therefore, should be selected in consideration of their advantages and disadvantages in accordance with the purposes.