ABSTRACT
Sixty-four cases of lymphoedema of the limbs were treated by vertical immersion in mercury using certain methods and taking a number of precautions. The very high density of mercury immediately produces a high pressure gradient between the extremity and the root of the limb, the compressive forces produced remaining constantly perpendicular to the skin surface. This new, painless and ambulatory technique is an excellent method for the treatment of lymphoedema of the limbs with the notable special feature of giving very good results at the extremities, thereby contrasting with other methods. Furthermore, and whilst results for the rest of the limb are numerically comparable, they are obtained more rapidly (4 compression sessions of 30 minutes on average). The use of mercury compression is not limited to lymphoedema since, in particular, it improves varicose hypodermatitis.
Subject(s)
Lymphedema/therapy , Mercury , Physical Therapy Modalities/methods , Ambulatory Care , Extremities , Humans , Physical Therapy Modalities/instrumentation , PressureABSTRACT
Increasingly growing pressure gradients impressed upon a limb maintained vertically positioned in mercury (metal) have been used as an individually-adjusted compressive, evacuating and atraumatic mould in lymphatic or venolymphatic disease of the limbs. We studied this new so-called mercury pressure-therapy applied to 100 cases of lymphedema of the upper extremity, 100 cases of lymphedema of the lower extremity, 150 cases of inflammatory hypodermitis of the leg and 50 refractory venous ulcers. During the first trials, the patients were treated with a prototype, then with a model of the latest version of the Gradient-1000 device (fig. 1), allowing for mercury displacement along the limb controllable by 6 parameters. During experimentation, we used the following methodology: 1) Each patient's treatment consisted in 3 to 4 compression sessions at 3 to 8 day intervals. Later, the patient was followed up for 3 to 6 months and received 1 to 2 additional pressure treatments, as deemed necessary. 2) Each session comprised 30 minutes of actual compression by several rising mercury waves falling back to the zero level each time, using the following criteria: slow velocities (1 to 2 cm/second), progressively higher rising levels (45 to 70, even 80 cm), each level upheld for 3 to 5 minutes, few repeated up and down phases (6 to 10, depending upon the duration of each phase). 3) In between the compression sessions, the patient wore a compressive elastic bandage permanently. 4) The first 3 to 4 compression sessions constituted the initial treatment; the patient was then fit with a removable elastic bandage to be worn 12/24 hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Subject(s)
Arm , Gravity Suits , Leg , Lymphedema/therapy , Clinical Protocols , Equipment Design , Humans , Mercury , Methods , Vascular Diseases/therapyABSTRACT
It would seem that application of the existing mercury core pressure gradient, when applied round a limb in the vertical position, is not limited only to the treatment of primary and secondary lymphoedema of the limbs. Certain reports allow us to conclude that, with different modes of use, the method could bring therapeutic relief to trophic disorders and rebel venous ulcers with or without an arterial condition, to certain genuinely arterial trophic disorders, and even to certain clinical levels of arteritis, this being whilst awaiting the result of investigation in the hospital milieu.
Subject(s)
Baths , Lymphedema/therapy , Mercury/therapeutic use , Vascular Diseases/complications , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Arm , Bandages , Female , Humans , Leg , Lymphedema/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , PressureABSTRACT
The principle of compression of the limbs by means of a mercury pressure gradient has repercussions at various levels of the vascular physiology. This study demonstrates its effects on the lymphatic system, where post-radiotherapeutic, post-surgical and post-traumatic lymphedema (LE) can easily be reduced. The same is true for inflammatory, infectious and congenital LE as well as for venolymphatic edema. Brief periods of compression, with bandaging between sessions, stimulate the resumption of lymph drainage. This study demonstrates that recalcitrant hypodermititis also benefits considerably from compression of this type. The other sectors of peripheral vascular disease are under investigation, and preliminary findings are encouraging.
Subject(s)
Baths , Lymphedema/therapy , Mercury/therapeutic use , Arm , Female , Humans , Leg , Lymphedema/etiology , Male , Pressure , Radiotherapy/adverse effects , Surgical Procedures, Operative/adverse effects , Wounds and Injuries/complicationsABSTRACT
In the scope of lymphatic and veno-lymphatic pathology, in order to soften the limbs with a maximum effectiveness so that the lymphatic structures will be more operational, this pressotherapy consists in using the properties of mercury, high density fluid, to realize a compressive and progressive, painless cast, adjusted to the form of the limb. Usually, the limb is placed vertically in a treatment tank where mercury is introduced, according to certain modalities; to reach variable and programmed levels. This preliminary study shows that the method, with good results ranging between 75 and 85 p. cent, is indicated in the treatment of all lymphedemas, the treatment of venolymphatic edemas, post-phlebitic sequelae, treatment of hypodermatitis and persistent ulcers due to primary venous insufficiency or phlebitis sequelae (and even, with other protocols, in arterial pathology).