Exploring the use of CircAid legging in the management of lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is a potentially disfiguring chronic condition that can have significant physical, psychological and social consequences for the affected individual. Treatment consists of a combination of exercises and massage to increase lymph drainage, and the use of compression hosiery to maintain improvements. This intensive treatment is delivered by trained therapists over several seeks, and is time-consuming for both patient and therapist. Maintaining improvements following intensive therapy is difficult, and there is often a need for further courses of intensive therapy. In the maintenance phase of treatment the patient is taught to care for the swollen limb with a routine of skin care, exercise, simple lymphatic drainage and compression hosiery. Compression is the mainstay of this phase of management, but a regular supply of high-compression garments is costly. The CircAid legging is a non-elastic adjustable compression appliance worn on the lower leg which can be an effective adjunct to compression garments. Three case studies are presented to show that the use of the CircAid legging in the management of patients following intensive therapy can enhance the effect of standard compression hosiery. Implications for clinical practice are discussed, as is the need for further research.