The effects of compression and elevation on the circulation to the skin of the hand as reflected by transcutaneous PO2.

Transcutaneous PO2 has been used in a group of four normal subjects to noninvasively indicate the effects of compression and limb elevation on the circulation to the skin of the hand. Both compression and elevation of the hand reduced the local transcutaneous PO2. A combination of compression and elevation had a significantly greater effect than either of these modalities applied singly. The observations in this study suggest that the effect of hand elevation compression are mediated through a reduction in the local arteriovenous gradient. Although hand elevation and compression are clinically useful in the control of hand swelling, the hand surgeon should be aware of their potential deleterious effects on local circulation, particularly when they are used in combination.