Compression Flashcards
Effects of External Compression
- Improves venous and lymphatic circulation
- Limits the shape and size of tissue
- increases tissue temperature
Indications for Compression
- Edema Control
- Prevention of DVT
- Venous Stasis Ulcers
How does compression reduce edema?
Increases extravascular hydrostatic pressure and promotes circulation
Contraindications
- Heart Failure
- Pulmonary edema
- Recent or acute DVT/thrombophlebitis/ pulmonary embolism
- Obstructed lymphatic or venous return
- Severe peripheral artery disease
- Acute local skin infection
- Hypoproteinemia (
Precautions
- Impaired sensation/mentation
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Cancer
- Stroke or cerebrovascular insufficiency
- Superficial peripheral nerves
Adverse Effects
- Aggravating a conditions that causes edema
2. Impairing circulation with excessive pressure
Application Techniques
- Compression bandages
- Compression garments
- Velcro-closure devices
- Intermittent pneumatic pumps
Parameters for intermittent pneumatic pumps
- Inflation Time
- Inflation Pressure
- Treatment time
Inflation Time for pneumatic pumps
DVT Prevention – 80-100 seconds with a deflation time of 25-50 seconds
Residual limb reduction – 40-60 seconds with deflation time of 10-15 seconds
Usually inflation to deflation ratio is 3:1
Inflation Pressure for pneumatic pumps
Generally between 30 and 80 mmHg
For upper extremities – 30-60 mmHg
For lower extremities – 40-80 mmHg
Treatment Time for pneumatic Pumps
1-4 hours per treatment 3 to 4 times per day
Types of compression bandages
- Short stretch
- Long Stretch
- Multilayer
Long-stretch Bandage
Elastic bandage that extends by 100-200% and provides high resting pressure
Short-stretch bandage
Low elasticity bandage with 30-90% extension that provides low resting pressure but a high working pressure during muscle activity
Most useful during exercise
Multilayered Bandage
Use of both elastic and inelastic layers to apply moderate to high resting pressure through multiple layers of bandages
