Compression

What are the 3 types of compression?

• Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC)

  • Applies external pressure from mechanical device through inflatable sleeve

  • Pressure set below pts diastolic blood pressure

• Compression bandaging

  • Usually applied by a clinician after a lymphatic treatment or post surgical

• Compression garments

  • Worn to maintain gain from lymphedema treatment or post surgical as advised by the MD. Worn in pregnancy.

What are precautions for compression?

• Recent skin graft

• Acute local dermatologic infections

• Impaired sensation or cognition

• Pharmacologically controlled HTN

What are absolute contraindications for compression?

• Acute pulmonary edema

  • Returns interstitial edema back to the venous circulation increasing stress on heart and lungs

• Congestive heart failure

• Increase work/stress on heart and lungs

• Recent acute DVT

• Acute fx

• Uncontrolled HTN

What is compression used for?

• Edema reduction

• DVT production

• Improve sensory function after CVA

• Heal venous stasis ulcers

• Reduction of limb volume in lymphedema

• Improve blood flow in PAD

What is venous stasis ulcers?

Inflammation of the skin in the lower limbs as a result of chronic venous insufficiency

What is the treatment time of compression?

45 mins-1 hour in the clinic

What are the indications of compression bandaging/garments?

• Venous stasis ulcers

• Maintenance of lymphedema treatment

• Hypotension

• DVT prophylaxis

• Pregnancy