The oldest therapy against varicose veins is the compression therapy where specially designed compression stockings are applied with graduated compression along the leg.
These stockings, however, have to be worn lifelong. The compression stockings decrease the vascular lumen of the widened, affected veins. In consequence, the velocity of the blood increases which improves the transportation of the blood back to the heart. Thus, fewer oedema and less stowage of the blood occurs.
A significant disadvantage is, that these stockings are not very comfortable to wear and in particular lead to the unpleasant feeling of overheated legs during summer.
Putting on these compression stockings is not easy, the tension of the rubber-fabric needs a strong hand, not a convenient therapy for the elderly. Bandage without flexible rubber are easier to put on, however, they loose their tension only too soon.
For above disadvantages, the compression therapy is applied rather seldomly.
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