Abstract
Background
In chronic venous disease (CVD), vascular physiotherapy in the form of therapeutic exercises and manual lymph drainage (MLD) contributes to reducing vascular disorders, with improved venous return, reduced venous stasis and improved clinical status.
Objective
To investigate the efficacy of vascular physiotherapy in treatment of CVD.
Methods
A prospective, longitudinal pilot study that assessed ten patients with CVD, with CEAP classifications from 1 to 5. Patients were administered the SF-36 and AVVQ quality of life questionnaires and underwent water plethysmography and goniometry of the lower limbs. After initial assessments they were given ten 60-minute sessions of vascular physiotherapy consisting of therapeutic exercises and MLD. After treatment they were once more assessed using the same questionnaires and methods for volumetric measurement and assessment of joint movement amplitude (JMA).
Results
The patients were all female, with a mean age of 43.1 years. Their predominant positions during practical activities of life was prolonged and orthostatic. The majority of the patients had a CEAP classification of C3 and just 10% were C2. When questioned about their principal complaints, they reported feelings of heaviness and tiredness in their limbs, pain in their legs, itching and swelling. After the vascular physiotherapy sessions all patients were free from complaints. Both JMA and quality of life improved significantly after the intervention with vascular physiotherapy.
Conclusions
Vascular physiotherapy contributed to controlling the clinical manifestations of CVD, improving edema and JMA, and promoting improved quality of life for patients.
Keywords:
venous insufficiency; physiotherapy methods; lymphatic system
Thumbnail
