A comparison of compression stockings of different pressures with lower leg edema in spinal cord injury or lesions patients

We tested 80 spinal cord injury or lesion patients admitted to Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Chang Gung Memorial hospital from Jan, 1994 to Aug, 1994, in order to assess the effectiveness of compression stockings of different pressures. The study group consisted of patients who, after leaving bed for 4 hours, had a volume change in the lower extremities greater than 50 c.c., as measured by a specially designed water bucket. One of the lower limb was used as the control group and the other limb was used as the experimental group. Different stocking compression pressure, 12 mmHg 20 mmHg, and 30 mmHg, were used for the experimental limb. No placebo stocking was used in the control group. Change in the lower limb volume and degree of comfort after leaving bed for 4 hours were measured. The experimental results reveal that wearing stocking with compression pressure, 12 mmHg, 20 mmHg, 30 mmHg, had therapeutic effects (P < 0.01). The therapeutic effects of the 12 mmHg stocking was less than the 20 mmHg and 30 mmHg stocking. There was no significant difference between the therapeutic effects of the 20 mmHg and 30 mmHg stocking. As for the degree of comfort, 12 mmHg was better than 20 mmHg, and 20 mmHg better than 30 mmHg. When choosing the type of compression stocking to treat lower leg edema in spinal cord injury or lesion patients, we suggest starting with 20 mmHg compression pressure stockings would be a better choice, as they are cheaper, more comfortable to wear and can provide the same therapeutic effects as 30 mmHg compression stockings.