ABSTRACT
Therapeutic limb compression is used to prevent edema formation, to reduce existing edema, and to prevent reaccumulation of edema once it is reduced. Forms of therapeutic compression for limb edema, lymphedema, and venous ulcers include compression bandaging, pneumatic compression, and compression garments (stockings/sleeves). Of these, compression bandaging is usually applied as an initial therapeutic intervention to reduce edema during a “decongestive” phase (obtain a result) and compression garments are used for maintenance (sustain the result) or preventatively as with chronic venous insufficiency. Pneumatic compression may be used in conjunction with bandages or garments. This chapter describes major relevant aspects and offers some practical pearls and guidelines.
