From the Guidelines
For stasis dermatitis, compression stockings with a pressure of 30-40 mmHg are recommended. This recommendation is based on the most recent and highest quality study, which suggests that pressures of 30 to 40 mmHg are advised for more severe disease 1. The use of compression therapy has been widely described as the best initial treatment for varicose veins and has been shown to reduce venous stasis, contain edema, and improve lymphatic drainage 1.
When using compression therapy, it is essential to consider the patient's ability to tolerate the compression, and some patients may need to begin with lower pressures (20-30 mmHg) and gradually increase to the therapeutic range if they cannot tolerate higher compression initially 1. The stockings should extend from the foot to just below the knee for most patients.
Key considerations for compression therapy include:
- Proper fitting is essential, with stockings being snug but not painful
- Patients should be taught how to apply them correctly, usually in the morning before swelling develops
- Contraindications include severe peripheral arterial disease, so an ankle-brachial index assessment may be necessary before starting compression therapy in patients with risk factors for arterial disease 1
- Compression works by improving venous return, reducing edema, and decreasing venous hypertension in the lower extremities, which addresses the underlying cause of stasis dermatitis 1.
From the Research
Compression Stocking Pressure for Stasis Dermatitis
- The recommended pressure of compression stockings for stasis dermatitis is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, the studies suggest that compression therapy is a cornerstone of treatment for stasis dermatitis, aiming to ameliorate pain and swelling 2, 5.
- Compression stockings are also recommended for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which is associated with stasis dermatitis 3, 6.
- The study by 6 provides evidence-based recommendations for the use of medical compression stockings in venous and lymphatic disorders, but does not specify the exact pressure required for stasis dermatitis.
- The pressure of compression stockings may vary depending on the individual patient's needs and the severity of their condition, but this information is not provided in the available studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.