The treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) traditionally involves the wearing of surgical support compression stockings, intermittent leg elevation, and an exercise program that stimulates the calf muscle pump mechanism. Despite the fact that such a program is successful in greater than 95% of patients when patients are compliant, the exact effect of surgical compression stockings is largely unknown. It is hypothesized to include reducing reflux and improving calf muscle pump function. The purpose of this study is 3-fold: to use physiologic assessment to determine the mechanism of action of surgical compression stockings; to compare different brands of stockings in their physiologic actions in patients with severe CVI; and to survey patient compliance and acceptance of surgical support stockings.while women use gel eye mask for their face treatment, compression socks are for their bodies.
Surgical support stockings seem to be more effective in controlling reflux than in improving calf muscle pump function. All stocking brands function equally as measured by air plethysmography. We found that stockings appeared to control reflux better than they improved calf muscle pump function. These results improved in patients wearing the stockings compared with those not wearing the stockings as has been seen in another study.