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INTERMITTENT COMPRESSION

BY: Matthew Donohoe & Nicolas Welch

Physiological Effects
  1. Aids in venous and lymphatic drainage. Movement ofinterstitial fluids out of extremities is caused by pressure gradients.
  2. Spreads out interstitial fluids, increasing the amount of surface areathat can aid in venous and lymphatic drainage.
Indications
  1. Traumatic edema.
  2. Post-surgical edema.
  3. Venous insufficiency.
Contraindications
  1. Infections.
  2. Acute conditions where fracture may be present.
  3. Presence of thrombophelbitis.
  4. Compartment syndrome.
  5. Peripheral vascular disease.
Preparation of Athlete
  1. Take blood pressure.
  2. Measure girth.
  3. Cover area with stockinet or similar material.
  4. Place extremity in pneumatic device, connect air tube.
  5. Evaluate extremity, be sure athlete is comfortable.
Treatment Setup and Initiation
  1. Setup: 1) Turn on power, increase pressure whileobserving pressure gauge. 2) Suggested operating pressures: 40 - 60 mmHgfor lower extremity, 60 - 100 mmHg for upper extremity, never exceedpatients Diastolic blood pressure.
  2. Select On/Off times. A 3:1 ratio in normal with 45 seconds on: 15seconds off for the duty cycle.
  3. Select appropriate treatment times. Twenty minutes to several hours.Once to twice a day.
  4. Explain sensations to the patient. 1) Have the patient notify you ifpain occurs. 2) Turn off machine if pain does occur.
  5. Turn off machine and visually inspect the area. Welts may occur andare of no consequence. Welts will disappear 20 to 30 minutes aftertreatment.
  6. Apply elastic wrap to area to sustain edema reduction.



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