Non-Elastic Compression Therapy As Supported by Medical Literature

CircAid Medical

Elastic Stockings

Unna’s boot

Bandaging

Heals Ulcers1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Yes

Variable

Yes

Yes

Easy to Put on1, 3, 8, 9, 10

Yes

No

Yes

No

Easy to Remove8, 10

Yes

No

No

Yes

Comfortable3, 8, 11

Yes

Variable

Variable

Variable

Adjustable3, 8, 9, 12

Yes

No

No

Yes, with difficulty

Provides Graduated Pressure8, 13, 14, 15

Yes

Variable

Yes, initially

Variable

Provides Sustained Pressure3, 8, 9, 16

Yes

No

No

Yes, if rewrapped

Improves Deep Vein Hemodynamics1, 17, 18

Yes

Rarely

Yes, initially

Yes, initially

Provides Proper Working & Resting Pressure1, 19

Yes

No

Yes, initially

Yes, initially

Can be Used with Topicals12

Yes

Yes, but causes deterioration

Yes

Yes

Compliance1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 20

Excellent

Poor

Excellent

Variable

Expense

$

$$

$$$

$$$



1. Partsch, Compression therapy of the legs, Derm. Surg. and Oncol., 17, 1991.

2. Callam, D. Harper, J. Dale, et.al., Lothian and Forth Valley leg ulcer healing trial, Part 1: Elastic vs. non-elastic bandaging in the treatment of chronic leg ulceration, Phlebology, 7:136-141, 1992.

3. Moneta, M. Nehler, R. Chitwood, J. Porter, The natural history, pathophysiology, and nonoperative treatment of chronic venous insuffiency, in Vascular Surgery, IVth ed. R. Rutherford editor, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, p. 1837-1850, 1995.

4. Blair, D. Wright, C. Backhouse, et. Al., Sustained compression and healing of chronic venous ulcers, BMJ, 297; p. 1159-1161, 1981.

5. Hendricks, R. Swallow, management of stasis leg ulcers with Unna’s boots versus elastic support stockings, J Am. Acad. Derm., 12: p. 90-98, 1985.

6. Mayberry, G. Moneta, L. Taylor, J. Porter, Fifteen year results of ambulatory compression for chronic venous ulcers, Surg., 109; 5, p. 575-581, 1991.

7. R. Spence, W. Hardesty, A. Cernaianu, et. al., Treatment of the non-healing venous stasis ulcer. Initial experience with the CircAid® legging, Dept. Surgery, Robt. Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, unpublished, 1994.

8. Vernick, D.Shapiro, F. Shaw; Legging Orthosis for Venous and Lymphatic Insufficiency, Arch Phys. Med. Rehabil. 68: 459-461, 1987.

9. Neumann, D. Tazelaar, Compression Therapy, in Vericose Vein and Telangiectasias, Diagnosis and Treatment, J. Bergan and M. Goldman eds., Quality Medical Publishing, St. Louis, p. 112-117, 1993.

10. Franks, M Oldroyd, D. Dickson, et. al. Risk Factors for Leg Ulcer Recurrence: A Randomized Trial of Two Types of Compression Stocking, Age and Aging, 24: 490-494, 1995.

11. Chant, L. Davies, J. Pike, M. Sparks; Support stockings in practical management of vericose veins, Phlebology, 4, p. 167-169, 1989.

12. Weber, Manufacture, Characteristics, Testing and Care of Medical Compression Hosiery, in the Medical Compression Stocking, Schattauer, Stuttgart, p. 104-105, 1989.

13. Chant, The effects of posture, exercise, and bandage pressure on the clearance of 24 Na from the foot, Brit. J. Surg., 59; 7, p. 552-555, 1972.

14. Lewis, J. Antoine, C. Mueller, et. al., Elastic compression in the prevention of venous stasis; a critical reevaluation, Amer. J. of Surg., 131; p. 739-743, 1976.

15. Partsch, Do we need firm compression stockings exerting high pressure? VASA, 13:1, 52-27, 1984.

16. Moneta, M. Nehler, R. Chitwood, J. Porter; The natural history, pathophysiology, and nonoperative treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, in Vascular Surgery IVth ed., R. Rutherford editor, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, p. 1846, 1995.

17. Mayberry, G. Moneta, R. De Frang, J. Porter; The influence of elastic compression stockings on deep venous hemodynamics, J. of Vasc. Surg., 13:1, 91-100, 1991.

18. Partsch, Besserung de venosen Pumpleistung, bei chronischer Veneninsuffizienz durch Kompression in Abhangigkeit Andruck und Material, VASA, 13:1, p. 58-64, 1984.

19. Staudinger, R. Weiss, Compression therapy: Low or short stretch bandage and graduated compression stockings for leg edema. J. Derm. Surg. And Oncol., 21, p. 106, 1995.

20. Sampson, D. Showwalter, Stockings and the prevention of recurrent venous ulcers, Derm. Surg. 22:373-376, 1996.