[Compression dressings for the legs].

There are fundamental differences between a phlebological and a lymphological compression bandage. In venous congestion, the bandage reduces the edema; it is unable to do this to the same extent in lymphatic congestion. On the contrary, there it is only a link in a chain of measures. The actual reduction of the edema takes place by manual lymphatic drainage and instrumental expression. The intervals between the sessions are bridged over with the compression bandage. The requirement on the compression bandage in lymphatic edema is great firmness, i.e. high working pressure, but minimal resting pressure. This can be achieved technically either with gelatin of zinc or (in application of elastic bandages) by winding round many turns of the bandage with a slight pull. The material requirement is greater than with a phlebological bandage. On the other hand, cushioning is simpler. Care should be taken that the deep transverse folds near to the joint are bridged over with foam rubber in such a way that the bandage does not sink into them. The locking effect of the folds can thus be further intensified.