PRESSURE DIFFERENCES OF ELASTIC COMPRESSION STOCKINGS AT THE ANKLE REGION

BACKGROUND. Elastic compression stockings are widely used medical devi ces for the prevention of edema and treatment of venous diseases. Many beneficial effects have been described in the past. The exact amount of pressure underneath elastic compression stockings at different area s of the leg remains controversial. OBJECTIVE. TO examine the pressure at the skin underneath class II elastic compression stockings at diff erent places around the ankle at the B level. METHODS. Patients with k nown venous insufficiency and regularly using class II elastic therape utic compression stockings (25-35 mm Hg) for venous diseases were incl uded. All subjects were wearing completely new stockings at the time o f the study. Measurements were performed with an electropneumatic inte rface pressure measuring device (Oxford Pressure Monitor MK II) with i nflatable small sensoring cells. Six sensors were placed around the sm allest circumference at the ankle (B-area). The highest and lowest rec ordings as well as the means were evaluated. RESULTS. The mean pressur e of class II elastic stockings measured around the ankle was 24.7 mm Hg (SD, 8.4). The lowest pressures were found at the menial site (18.3 mm Hg; 74% of the mean), and the highest at the pretibial zone (33.9 mm Hg, 137%). CONCLUSIONS. The pressure exerted by pressure class II e lastic compression stockings a the medial site just above the ankle (B area) is too low to have influence and improve the venous insufficien cy. For phlebology this is the target area. It might be a reason for t he high recurrence rate of venous ulcers even if patients wear stockin gs. Also, the mean pressure of class II stockings was found to be belo w the normal levels of its pressure class (25-35 mm Hg according to th e European CEN classification). The results advocate the use of pressu re class III elastic compression stocking more often and the use of pe lottes or foam pads. (C) 1997 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.