

5 This technique allows us to measure real-time P lp in the arm or leg by only a subcutaneous injection of ICG. Recently, we developed a novel method to measure human P lp using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence lymphography and a transparent sphygmomanometer cuff. 3, 4Īlthough the importance of P lp has been reported, very limited numbers of human studies regarding P lp have been performed, owing to the fact that weakened P lp is not necessarily associated with serious or deadly diseases, and, more importantly, that there is a lack of noninvasive methods to measure P lp in the human extremities, which has hindered investigations of the physiological or pathological role of P lp in human health.

1, 2 While the extrinsic forces result from the contractions of the adjacent skeletal muscles, pulsation of arteries, and central venous pressure fluctuations, the intrinsic lymph pump relies on the spontaneous contraction of lymphatic muscles to generate the pumping lymph pressure (P lp). After uptake by the initial lymphatic vessels, lymph is pumped through the collecting lymphatic vessels by both extrinsic and intrinsic forces. L ymphatic vessels are responsible for transporting lymph from the tissues back to the bloodstream, while maintaining the balance of body fluids, macromolecules, lipid, and immune regulators. Only Stocking A resulted in decreased prevalence of leg edema and improved Short Form-36 scores.Ĭonclusion: Compression stockings may represent a therapeutic option to elevate leg P lp and ameliorate leg edema, thereby leading to improved quality of life in healthy females with low leg P lp.

At 16 weeks, both Stockings A and B resulted in significantly elevated leg P lp, with the effect on elevating P lp being superior for Stocking A. Leg P lp was measured using indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography and an occlusion cuff technique while sitting. These 80 participants were assigned to wear either Stocking A ( n = 40) or Stocking B ( n = 40) for 16 weeks. Method and Results: Among 219 healthy female volunteers who underwent measurement of leg P lp, 80 participants (36.5%) had unilateral or bilateral legs with P lp < 20 mmHg (122 legs with P lp < 20 mmHg and 38 legs with P lp ≧ 20 mmHg).
Best compression socks for lymphedema trial#
Herein, a double-blinded controlled trial was conducted in healthy female volunteers with reduced leg P lp to compare the effectiveness of a 15–29 mmHg compression stocking (Stocking A) and a 8–16 mmHg stocking (Stocking B) on elevating P lp. Among healthy people with daily leg edema, a considerable number of cases are accompanied with low leg P lp. The intrinsic pump relies on spontaneous lymphatic contraction, which generates the pumping lymph pressure (P lp). Background: Lymph is pumped through the collecting lymphatic vessels by both intrinsic and extrinsic forces.
