Archive for March, 2010

Sequential Compression Device: What You Need to Know about Lymphedema Pumps

Has your doctor recommended that you use a sequential compression device? These special lymphedema pumps help reduce blood pooling, clots, and fluid buildup in people who can’t move for long periods of time.

How Does This Device Work?

Like compression stockings and lymphedema sleeves, these devices help blood and fluid flow better, reducing leg lymphedema.

First, a disposable sleeve is placed around your leg. The sleeves look a bit like leg warmers, and stretch from your ankles to your knees or the tops of your legs. After you put on the sleeves, an air pump, connected to the sleeve, pushes air into the sleeve at various intervals. This creates a squeezing sensation of pressure and helps the blood in the veins circulate and flow better. There are both home and hospital-grade versions of these devices.

The more chambers a device has, the better it can help blood and fluid in the legs circulate. A hospital-grade sequential compression device may have up to 10 chambers.

Another name for these lymphedema products is intermittent pneumatic compression system.

Who Needs This Device?

People undergoing hip replacement or other surgery or with obesity, blood clotting conditions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or swelling in the arms and legs, called lymphedema, may be prescribed these devices. Research studies have also investigated the use of sequential compression devices for relieving restless legs syndrome. This common problem is the second most common sleep disorder and causes uncomfortable or painful sensations in the arms or legs.

How Much Does a Sequential Compression Device Cost?

Cost of these lymphedema pumps often depends on how many chambers they have. More chambers are more expensive, but also generally more effective.

Using a Pump

• Most of the sleeves you order for use with the pumps are machine washable.

• You can order sleeves in a variety of sizes to accommodate your needs.

• You may need a prescription for more powerful lymphedema pumps; usually you obtain this from your doctor’s office and then fax it when you order your item.

• You shouldn’t use these lymphedema pumps if you have an active blood clot.

• You shouldn’t use these if you have congestive heart failure.

• If your arm or leg or foot is very sensitive to pain, don’t use a lymphedema sleeve on it.

Check with your doctor before using any type of sequential compression device.

All information on AboutCompressionStockings.com is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Leg Lymphedema and Compression Stockings

Women undergoing treatment for vulvar cancer often experience the unpleasant side effect of lymphedema. In a December 2009 study, researchers from the United Kingdom suggest that using compression stockings can help alleviate leg lymphedema.

Lymphedema is severe swelling that occurs due to a blockage in the lymphatic system, part of the immune and circulatory system’s network of vessels that help remove fluids from the body. Because removing cancer from the vulvar area often requires removal of lymph vessels, too, fluid can’t drain properly, and accumulates in the body, causing significant swelling in an arm or leg.

A small study conducted at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom reported that evaluated whether women who’d undergone surgery for vulvar cancer experienced less leg lymphedema if they wore compression stockings.

Compared to women who didn’t wear the stockings, women who wore stockings after vulvar surgery had less fluid volume in their legs and had fewer symptoms of leg problems. The study, published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, did not find that compression stockings affected the rates of wound healing.

Because of their study findings, the researchers concluded that using compression wear may be effective for reducing leg lymphedema in women who require vulvar surgery, although they say that more studies are needed to make specific conclusions.

Compression choices for leg lymphedema:

• Sigvaris Pantyhose
• Sigvaris Thigh High Open Toe
• Jobst Relief Thigh Highs

Will you be undergoing surgery for vulvar cancer? Using support stockings as a preventive measure may be one way to reduce your risk of leg lymphedema. Talk to your doctor about what level of compression you might require. Some name brand stockings often used to alleviate lymphedema include Mediven, Sigvaris, Juzo, and Jobst.