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Compression stockings reduce the risk of thromboembolic complications, leg edema, and edema-related pain and discomfort during long-haul flights. The aim of this study was to assess if compression stockings reduce leg edema, pain, and discomfort during a three-hour flight. This randomized controlled trial had a paired design as participants were randomized to wear a compression stocking on one leg during a three-hour flight with the other leg acting as control. Eligibility criteria were adults aged 18–60 years living in Denmark without medical indication for wearing compression stockings during flights. The primary outcome was the change in difference of ankle circumference between legs with and without compression stocking pre- and post-flight. Secondary outcomes were changes in difference of calf circumference, pain, and discomfort pre- and post-flight. All outcomes were self-reported with measurements and questionnaires. A total of 34 participants, median age 31 years (range 25–54), were randomized with complete follow-up. Difference in ankle circumference was median 5 mm larger post-flight compared with pre-flight (interquartile range (IQR) = 0–9, p =.001) and the corresponding change in calf circumference difference was median 5 mm (IQR = 1–12, p <.001). Ankle- and calf circumferences decreased in the leg wearing compression stocking and increased in the other leg. There was no change in difference of pain and discomfort and no adverse events. Compression stockings reduced edema formation in young healthy passengers during a three-hour flight. Passengers experiencing edema-related discomfort during short-haul flights may benefit from wearing compression stockings during air travel. Trial registration : clinicaltrials.gov : NCT03546725. • Compression stockings reduced ankle- and calf edema during a short-haul flight. • Compression stockings did not improve comfort or pain in young healthy passengers. • Use of compression stockings did not cause any adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Leg oedema from venous insufficiency is not dangerous but it can cause women symptoms such as pain, feelings of heaviness, night cramps and paraesthesiae. Leg oedema can be a sign of pre-eclampsia when associated with raised blood pressure or proteinuria. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of treatment to relieve the symptoms associated with varicosity in pregnancy and to reduce leg oedema. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register in October 2004 for randomised trials of any form of treatment for varicosity and or leg oedema in pregnancy. Trial quality was assessed and data were extracted. Four trials of three different treatments were included. In one trial, women given rutoside capsules in the last 3 months of pregnancy noted an improvement in symptoms compared with placebo (relative risk 0.54 95% CI 0.32, 0.89). They had a decrease in ankle circumference at 36 weeks’ gestation after 8 weeks of treatment, while women given placebo had a small increase. In one trial, women with ankle oedema had a small non-significant reduction in lower leg volume when treated with external pneumatic intermittent compression for 30min. In another trial compression stockings prophylactically reduced the emergence of leg symptoms but not venous varicosities (relative risk 0.74 95% CI 0.59, 0.93). Lymphatic reflexology was studied in too few women to draw conclusions. In conclusions, rutosides appear to relieve symptoms of venous insufficiency in late pregnancy. However, it is not known if the drug is safe in pregnancy. External pneumatic compression appears to reduce ankle swelling and compression stockings reduce leg symptoms but not varicose veins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We hypothesized that the use of a graduated medical elastic thigh compression stocking for 14 days after total knee arthroplasty would reduce swelling by 2 cm and reduce pain among patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2. The aim of this pilot study was to provide preliminary data and information about feasibility. The specified objectives were to investigate: 1) the level of post-surgical swelling and, 2) the level of post-surgical pain, 14 days after surgery. In a randomized controlled pilot study, 44 patients were allocated to a graduated medical elastic thigh compression stocking or standard treatment for 14 days after total knee arthroplasty. Outcome measures were knee, calf, and ankle swelling and pain. Study feasibility included acceptable rates of written consent and compliance with the use of the compression stocking. Data was analyzed using two-sample t -test for equality of mean. Overall, 68.8% of eligible patients gave written consent to participate in the study and 41.2% complied with use of the graduated medical elastic thigh compression stocking for 14 days post-surgery. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding knee, calf and ankle swelling or pain. Knee swelling was reduced in both groups after 14 days, but was slightly more in the intervention group. The result is not statistically significant but indicates that a graduated medical elastic thigh compression stocking may have a positive effect on reduction of swelling after total knee arthroplasty. Initiating a larger scale randomized controlled study to determine effectiveness requires a higher level of compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]