Current approach to treatment of varicose ulcer – compressive therapy

Abstract:

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition where blood from leg veins cannot return to the heart. It is caused either by previous phlebothrombosis or thrombophlebitis (secondary CVI) or by congenital or acquired structural disorders of veins and venous valves (primary CV). According to the clinical picture, CVI can be categorized into six stages, ranging from stage 0 characterised by invisible or palpable signs of venous disease to stage 6 characterised by skin changes (increased pigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, venous oedema) and active venous ulcers. Compression therapy is indicated in all stages of CVI and lymphoedema. The goals of compression therapy are to increase the rate of venous blood flow, redistribute the blood volume to the central body parts, reduce the reversed blood flow through insufficient veins and leg swelling, improve the muscle pump and increase the rate of lymph flow and microcirculation. 

Key words:
compression bandages; stockings, compression; varicose ulcer; venous insufficiency