Compression therapy Flashcards
What are the indications for compression therapy?
- Lymphedema- edema due to obstruction of the lymphatics, often LE, due to failure of lymphatic system to return it’s own fluid
- Postmastectomy lymphedema: disturbance in lymphatic circulation due to a radical mastectomy
- Varicose veins: when veins are continuously overstretched and pooling stasis of the blood results
- Edema secondary to cast removal: body part can’t swell when in cast, removing cast may cause edema b/c muscles not working well enough to move the fluid
- Stasis ulcers: often people have varicose veins or diabetes
- Postphlebitic venous insufficiency: after phlebitis the vein may be damaged and edema may occur
- Stasis dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin due to poor circulation
- Post amputation
What are treatments for lymphedema?
- elevation
- intermittent compression
- massage
- exercise
- eventually compression garments
What are treatments for postmastectomy lymphedema?
- intermittent compression
- pressure gradient garment for arm
- ROM exercises to prevent joint impairment
- massage
- elevation
What are the treatments for varicose veins?
- elevation
- bedrest
- weight reduction
- intermittent compression
- compression garments
What are the treatments for edema secondary to cast removal?
- intermittent compression
- massage
- ROM exercises
- strengthening exercises
What are the treatments for stasis ulcers?
- compression garments
- weight loss
- and elevation
- avoid standing for long periods of time
What are compression therapy treatments?
- Compression/cold combination devices
- compression bandages and wraps
- Compression garments
- intermittent compression devices
What is the lymphatic system?
removes excess proteins that have escaped from blood vessels and return it back to the blood via the main lymph ducts
What is edema?
an accumulation of excess fluids in the spaces between the cells of the tissues (interstitial space)
What is venous edema?
edema that results from increase capillary pressure and venous obstruction. Usually soft, pitting edema. Skin is often taught and glossy.
What is generalized edema?
caused by a systemic process due to chronic illness such as advanced cardiac disease, kidney failure or liver disease (often the groin, abdomen and LEs)
What is localized edema?
edema confined to an area, caused by venous or lymphatic obstruction; or to increased vascular permeability due to trauma or infection
What are the physiological effects of intermittent compression on the cardiopulmonary system?
- forces fluid out of the interstitial spaces to aid in venous return
- allows a sufficient amount of blood to return to heart for it to circulate through arterial system
- pumping forces fluid into the venous/lymphatic system and inflammation and edema reduced in area
- spreads intercellular edema over a larger area and lymph can remove plasma proteins and water
- circulation increases, wast flushed out, nutrition supplied to cells and healing process improves which decreases chance of tissue necrosis
What are the physiological effects of intermittent compression on the Endocrine system?
- compression allows increased transport of hormones throughout circulation
What are the physiological effects of intermittent compression on the integumentary system?
- severe edema can lead to paresthesias (abnormal sensation; prickling, tingling). Improvement in cutaneous sensation may occur