Compression therapy of vein and lymph vessel diseases of the lower extremities: a present day overview.

Compression therapy of vein and lymph vessel diseases of the lower extremities has been used for over 2 1/2 millenia. A short historic survey is given. The theoretic basis is to prevent edema by helping the pump action of the calf muscles reverse the pathologic caudad blood flow upward toward the vena cava inferior, and to attempt to fix a fresh thrombus in the calf veins and thus prevent pulmonary embolism. The available material, including bandages, elastic stockings, the technique, indications, complications, and especially allergic skin reactions are discussed.