Conservative treatment for leg oedema and the effect on nocturnal polyuria in patients with spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the possible influence of non-pharmacological interventions, such as compressive bandages and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), on leg oedema and nocturnal polyuria (NP), and the possible interrelation between both pathologies in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), as patients with SCI often have leg oedema and during the night the oedema decreases as a result of natural drainage mechanisms that can cause NP. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with SCI who followed their first rehabilitation after their SCI with bilateral leg oedema and/or with as much or a larger urine volume at night as during the day. The patients were all wheelchair users and followed the rehabilitation programme daily for 3 weeks. In all, 24 patients, aged between 21 and 63 years, were selected for participation in the 3-week rehabilitation programme. During the first week, baseline data were collected. During the second week, IPC was executed from the moment the patient went to lie down. During the third week, the patients wore multilayer compressive bandages. Leg circumference was measured in the morning before sitting up and at the moment they went to lie down in bed. During each study week, a daily frequency-volume chart (24 h) was completed. RESULTS The leg volume of both legs was significantly different between the morning and evening (right leg F = 103.90, P