Lycra Support Tights: Are They Effective?

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Abstract
To investigate the effect of two Lycra support panty hose (8 and 12 mmHg) on the development of oedema of the lower legs and on feelings such as tiredness, heaviness and burning or pain in the legs. Prospective study. Department of Dermatology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. One hundred and eight healthy women, 20–60 years of age, who had no signs of chronic venous insufficiency on examination (including Doppler ultrasound) and who worked full-time. Diurnal lower leg volume changes (DVC) recorded by opto-electronic volume measurements and questionnaires on subjective feelings while wearing a control panty hose in comparison with the support panty hose. The mean DVC with control panty hose was +2.7%. With both types of support panty hose the mean DVC was significantly decreased to 2.3% (p < 0.001). At inclusion complaints were common (81%). Support panty hose A (8 mmHg) decreased feelings of heaviness and tiredness significantly. No relation between the reduction in DVC and a decrease in complaints was shown. Support panty hose B was often ill-fitting due to an inadequate size-table. Both types of support panty hose reduced the normal diurnal volume increase significantly and equally. Further investigations are needed in order to find the minimum compression for (almost) complete prevention of oedema. The decrease in subjective unpleasant feelings, significant for tiredness and heaviness in the case of panty hose A, was unrelated to a reduction in DVC.