title: Intermittent compression units for the postphlebitic syndrome. A pilot study.
abstract: The postphlebitic syndrome is a common affliction with limited therapeutic options. Patients who fail to respond to treatment with graded elastic compression stockings often develop a chronic pain syndrome manifested by intractable pain and swelling. Because lymphedema, a condition also associated with leg pain and swelling, has been successfully treated by intermittent compressive therapy with an extremity pump, we conducted a pilot study of compressive therapy in patients with severe postphlebitic syndrome. All five patients studied had dramatic improvement in symptoms and functional status without side effects. Although a large randomized trial is needed to properly evaluate compressive therapy, it appears to be very effective in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ginsberg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brill-Edwards
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kowalchuk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hirsh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003020:Clothing; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011186:Postphlebitic Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D011312:Pressure