Airaksinen O, Kolari PJ, Herve R, Holopainen R.
Treatment of post-traumatic oedema in lower legs using intermittent pneumatic
compression.
Scand J Rehabil Med 1988;20(1):25-8

Post-traumatic oedema after 6-12 weeks immobilization in a cast was treated using
intermittent pneumatic compression. The study group comprised 18 patients with 19
distal fractures of the lower leg. They were given compression treatment on five
consecutive days for about 1 h daily. Reduction in oedema was assessed by measuring
leg circumferences at three levels: the malleolus; 20 cm proximally from the
malleolus; and the Chopart joint. The untreated control group consisted of five
patients. Changes in oedema were followed daily for one week. A significantly
greater reduction in oedema occurred in the study group at all three measurement
levels (p less than 0.001) as compared with the control group.