Compression can be considered the cornerstone in the therapy of venous leg ulcers. As indicated by numerous studies1, adequate compression supports venous flow and shows significant effects on deep venous haemodynamics – ultimately providing large improvements in pain, mobility and general quality of life for the patient.

How do venous leg ulcers develop?

Venous insufficiency is the most common underlying cause of a venous leg ulcer. The compromised blood flow to the heart is mainly caused by venous valve incompetence. The resulting reflux leads to an ambulatory venous hypertension which also extends into the capillaries. As a consequence, nutrients and oxygen are unable to diffuse to the skin, causing death of skin tissue and the development of a venous leg ulcer.

80% of venous leg ulcers are located inside the lower extremity.

Compression and stiffness factor:

Adequate compression is necessary when venous flow is impaired. As venous valves are compromised, a sustained compression of 40 mmHg1 or more at the ankle is the recommended pressure to support venous return.

At this point, the specific stiffness of a compression device becomes a crucial factor. The higher the stiffness, the higher the working pressure and the effect of the muscle pump.

Compression provides the best conditions to heal the ulcer: the subsequent reduction of the local blood volume leads to lower venous reflux and the reduction of ambulatory venous hypertension.

1. Continuous pressure, exerted onto the body from the outside with the muscles at rest, is called “resting pressure”.

2. “Working pressure” is exerted temporarily from inside outwards as the muscles are working and the diameter of the body part increases.

Selecting the appropriate compression system:

The therapy of a venous leg ulcer is holistic: it depends on selecting the right compression system for the individual patient and combining it with concomitant treatment, such as skin care and wound management, if necessary.

The JOBST® Comprifore multilayer set contains all components needed for adequate compression in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.With the new Cutimed® Sorbact® WCLit additionally offers a wound contact layer that provides microbe binding action to reduce the risk of infection.

Features and benefits: 
The new JOBST® Compriforeset

• provides graduated compression of 40 mmHg2 to reach the doctors’ recommended pressure for the healing of venous leg ulcers.3
• provides sustained compression for up to 7 days to provide excellent cost-benefit ratio.
• delivers high stiffness factor to provide effective compression.
• allows for easy and safe application to minimize nursing time.
• contains Cutimed® Sorbact® WCL for the microbe binding action wound treatment.
• is available in latex-free version for the reduction of risk of allergies.
• is availableas Comprifore® lite to provide reduced compression for mixed leg ulcer with an ABPI between 0.6 to 0.8. 
  
  

2. Targeted nominal compression for an average ankle size. 
3. EWMA position document, “Understanding compression therapy”, 2003.

A matter of combination – high-quality components for effective leg ulcer treatment:

Latex free

Ankle circumference 7"-10" (18cm-25cm)