An overview of the use of compression in lower-limb chronic oedema.

Chronic oedema in the lower limbs can be a debilitating condition and has a negative effect on a patient's quality of life. As yet, there is no known cure for this condition; however, it can be controlled and managed, and its recurrence can be prevented. One of the most common and successful ways of managing this condition is the use of compression hosiery. With an expanding knowledge base of compression hosiery, lymphoedema specialists are now able to address historical problems of poor fit and concordance. Moreover, there is a wide choice of garments available today for clinicians to use, that not only help to control and treat the oedema, but have also improved patients' quality of life because the garments are comfortable and inconspicuous. Evidence has shown that concordance is greatly increased when patients participate in their treatment and help to decide on the most suitable garment for themselves. This article gives an overview of the use of compression garments when treating lower-limb chronic oedema in patients, and explains the aspects to bear in mind when choosing and prescribing compression hosiery.