Effect of compression stockings on leg volume in patients with varicose veins

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 mi, respectively, p < 0.001). The volume difference between normal legs and legs with varicose veins in the supine position was 172.5 mi, and in the upright position 187.0 mi (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 mi and 358.0 mi (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 mi, p < 0.05; upright position 72.0 mi, 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.