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Abstract:

Leg ulceration, often caused by venous stasis, arterial insufficiency, or both, is a common chronic health condition often associated with a prolonged healing trajectory and frequent recurrence. It is estimated that approximately 1.5 to 3.0 per 1,000 adults have active leg ulcers, and the prevalence continues to increase due to an aging population. Management of chronic edema using compression is crucial to promote healing of venous leg ulcers. The principle of compression therapy is simple, involving the use of external pressure in the forms of bandages or wraps to move the fluid from the interstitial space back into the intravascular compartment and prevent reflux. This article synthesizes and appraises the evidence for various types of compression therapies. It also addresses best practice recommendations for the management of leg ulcers when arterial circulation is considered suboptimal.

Authors:

Kevin Y. Woo, PhD, RN, FAPWCA, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Afsaneh Alavi, MD, FRCPC, Lecturer, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Robyn Evans, MD, CCFP , Director, Wound Healing Clinic, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Marc Despatis, MD, MSc, RVT, FRCSC, Chief of Vascular Surgery and Transplantation, Centre Hospitalier de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, Jill Allen, MCISc ,WOCN/ET, RN, Professional Services Specialist, 3M Canada Company, London, Ontario, Canada

PMID: 24081848

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