Elastic socks with compression versus traditional elastic bandages in treatment of patients with varicose veins of lower extremities

Objective To compare the effects of elastic socks with compression and traditional elastic bandages on postoperative pain and rehabilitation of patients with varicose veins of lower extremities. Methods Totally 84 patients with primary varicose veins of the lower extremities were selected prospectively. They were all treated by high ligation of great saphenous vein and segmental stripping of varicose vein. All of 84 patients were randomly divided into control group(n=42)and observation group(n=42). The patients in the control group were treated with traditional elastic bandages, and the patients in the observation group were treated with medical elastic socks under compression. The VAS scores and complications of the two groups were compared at the 3 and 7 days after operation, and the reduction of the peripheral diameter of the leg was observed at 3 and 6 months after operation. Results The VAS scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group at 3 and 7 days after operation(P < 0.05), and the incidence rates of compression pain of the affected limb, swelling of the dorsum of foot or crus were significantly lower than those of the control group(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of skin ecchymosis and infection between the two groups(P > 0.05). In the observation group, the reduction values of leg circumference between treatment before and 3 months after treatment as well as between 3 and 6 months after operation were significantly greater than those in the control group(P < 0.05). Conclusion For patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities, medical elastic socks can effectively reduce postoperative - pain and complications, reduce tmehe diater of the leg, and the effect is significantly better than the traditional elastic bandages.