Facilitating Edema Resolution With a Foot Pump After Calcaneus Fracture

Abstract

A significant progressive decrease in the foot volume was noted during the first forty-eight hours after application of the foot pump in patients with excessive edema precluding operative fixation of a calcaneus fracture upon presentation. The pump was well tolerated by all the patients in the study group. Thus, we believe the pump serves as a useful adjunct in the preoperative edema resolution following these complicated fractures.

Hemodynamics and tolerability of lower-limb intermittent pneumatic compression devices and neuromuscular stimulation

“…Hence, our results together with the available literature suggest that calf‐ compared to foot‐IPC is hemodynamically more effective for stimulating venous return from the knee and proximally, such as for more proximal injuries and surgery. However, for lower‐limb trauma below the knee when calf‐IPC is not applicable or when distal edema propfylaxis is required, foot‐IPC results in an effective hemodynamic venous return, which clinically has demonstrated DVT‐ and edema‐preventive effects …”

Improvement in Healing With Aggressive Edema Reduction After Debridement of Foot Infection in Persons With Diabetes

“…[6][7][8][9][10] The mechanism of action of pneumatic pedal compression devices appears to be at least 3-fold: enhancing fibrinolysis and venous outflow, and thereby reducing edema. 7,[11][12][13] Through the use of aggressive edema reduction by a variety of means, we have improved the outcome of many lower-extremity wounds after debridement of limbthreatening infections. However, we are unaware of any reports in the medical literature discussing the potential clinical utility of this modality.…”

Effective Treatment of Posttraumatic and Postoperative Edema in Patients with Ankle and Hindfoot Fractures

“…Lack of blinding 21 , or the use of unvalidated outcomes measurements, as seen in previous studies [18][19][20][21][22][23] , might also have contributed to the controversial findings of our study as compared with others. In our study, blinding was successful in approximately 91% of the measurements.…”

“…We suspect that positioning of the limb (with or without elevation) during impulse compression sessions and in off-session periods and the addition of a compressive force, as applied, for example, by stockinette, play an important role. There is a lack of precise description of the impulse compression application and its co-interventions in prior studies [18][19][20][21][22][23] , making comparisons of the results difficult. We believe that limb positioning and any sort of compression are potential confounders in clinical investigations.…”

“…Multilayer compression bandaging has been used in our hospital with positive effects in treating edema in patients with trauma. Various publications [18][19][20][21][22][23] also suggest the use of intermittent impulse compression devices in reducing traumatic edema. These devices contain an inflatable pad that intermittently applies pressure to the plantar arch of the foot to compress the concomitant veins and lymphatic vessels of the lateral plantar artery, thereby enhancing venous backflow 24,25 .…”