- swelling due to build-up of lymph fluid in the body
- unilateral
Lymphedema
- used to provide support to people who stand for longer periods or people with poor circulation
- aids in reducing swelling by lessening the amount of edema formed within the involved extremity
- garments may be obtained in a gradient format in which distal compression is greater than proximal compression
Compression garments
uses of compression garments
- control edema in an extremity
- assist in the return of venous circulation in LE
- decrease in the formation of extensive scar tissue resulting from a burn
disadvantages of compression garment
- contain body heat & restrict heat loss
- difficult to apply
- elastic properties are reduced over time and frequent replacements are needed
measurements for pressure gradient garment
- paper measuring tapes
- 1 1/2 inches from distal to proximal aspect of extremity
- pneumatic device that applies external pressure to an extremity through an inflatable appliance (sleeve)
- the patient has no arterial insufficiency & thrombophlebitis
- may be single compartment sleeve or sequential compartment sleeve
intermittent pneumatic compression device
an inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in the legs
thrombophlebitis
treatment parameters of IPC
- inflation pressure
- on-off time
- total treatment time
- should not be lower than 30 millimeter mercury
- difference between distal part and proximal part should be 20 mmHg with the distal part having the highest pressure (single compartment sleeve)
inflation pressure
- patient comfort should be the primary deciding factor
- 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off
on-off sequence
edema on-off sequence
3:1
stump shaping on-off sequence
4:1
total treatment time
20-30 minutes
UE inflation pressure
40-60 millimeter mercury
LE inflation pressure
- LE = 60 - 90 millimeter mercury
total treatment time venous ulcer
2 and a half hour
3 times per week
- more treatment times per day may also be an advantage in controlling and reducing edema from various musculoskeletal injuries
total treatment time
- multiple compartment designs
- highest pressure is the distal sleeve and is determined by the mean value of systolic to diastolic pressure
- middle cell is set 20 mmHg lower than the distal cell, and the proximal cell pressure is reduced an additional 20 mmHg
sequential compression pumps
indications of IPC
- lymphedema
- post mastectomy
- traumatic edema
- chronic edema
- amputated limbs
- prevention of thrombophlebitis
precautions of IPC
- impaired pressure sensation
- malignancy
- uncontrolled hypertension
contraindications of IPC
- acute inflammation
- trauma or fracture
- acute deep venous thrombpsis and thrombophlebiitis
- obstructed lymph or venous return
- arterial disease/insufficiency
- acute pulmonary edema
- diminished sensation
- edema with cardiac or renal impairment
the pt is positioned supine or sitting, the sleeve is applied and extremity is ___ above the level of the heart
elevated
can be applied be applied before application of the sleeve to help maintain cleanliness of the inside of the sleeves
stockinet
maximum compression force should be above the pt’s systemic diastolic blood pressure but should not exceed his/her ___ to avoid possible cardiovascular complications
systolic pressure
