Treatment protocol on stasis edema in poorly mobile nursing home patients

Prolonged immobility in the sitting position in the elderly is known to produce venous stasis with leg edema and possible skin changes.

The authors have tested a treatment protocol in 30 patients to quantify the reduction of volume caused by an adjustable compression Velcro® wrap (Circaid Juxtalite®, medi GmbH, Bayreuth, Germany) after 15 days and to compare its effect on the leg volume for the next 15 days with 15- to 20-mmHg compression stockings (CS).

The authors noted a volume decrease between T0 and T15 by 10.8% (52 legs) under Circaid Juxtalite®. At T30, they observed a non-significant difference between Circaid Juxtalite® (-1%) and the CS (1.3%).

A Velcro® adjustable compression wrap (Circaid Juxtalite®) is efficient in reducing stasis edema in the elderly. Stabilization of the leg volume with the use of 15-20 mmHg CS suggests that a high pressure to maintain results is not required to maintain results.