title: Treatment of post-traumatic oedema in lower legs using intermittent pneumatic compression.
abstract: Post-traumatic oedema after 6-12 weeks immobilization in a cast was treated using intermittent pneumatic compression. The study group comprised 18 patients with 19 distal fractures of the lower leg. They were given compression treatment on five consecutive days for about 1 h daily. Reduction in oedema was assessed by measuring leg circumferences at three levels: the malleolus; 20 cm proximally from the malleolus; and the Chopart joint. The untreated control group consisted of five patients. Changes in oedema were followed daily for one week. A significantly greater reduction in oedema occurred in the study group at all three measurement levels (p less than 0.001) as compared with the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kuopio University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kolari
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herve
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holopainen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D003020:Clothing; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure