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Clinical Research
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The incorporation of silver fibers into elastic compression stockings does not result in more difficult donning and the relationship between grip and pinch strength and the ability to don stockings Thomas Serena, MD, FACS, Cris Beuger, MPH, Michael Clopp Compression stockings have been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence of venous leg ulcerations (VLU). However, poor patient compliance with traditional stockings, largely due to difficulties in donning and doffing, have led to reports of VLU recurrence rates exceeding 75%. A recent innovation is the silver fiber embedded stocking (Juzo, Aichach, Germany). A unique knitting process results in over 20% of the garment being comprised of X-Static¨ silver fibers. Although initially employed in our clinics for its antimicrobial properties, we observed that these stockings are easier to don and doff Subjects were asked to don and remove three different pairs of stockings (standard 20-30 mmHg; standard 30-40 mmHg; and Silver 30-40 mmHg). Hand strength and dexterity were measured. Stocking experts fitted each patient. Time required to don and doff was measured. Subjects completed surveys regarding the ease of use for each stocking There is a strong correlation between side pinch strength and hand dexterity and the ability to don stockings. Patients with pinch strength below 12 mmHg are unable to don compression stockings. Moreover hand dexterity is also an important factor. Patients with strong grip strength values but poor hand dexterity donned the stockings at much slower rate than patients with less grip and pinch strength but greater dexterity The addition of Silver Fibers has not made compression stockings more difficult to don. In fact the trend is toward easier application of the garment There is a correlation between side pinch strength and hand dexterity and the ability to don stockings. Motykie GD, Caprini JA, Arcelus JI, Reyna JJ, Overom E, Mokhtee D. Evaluation of therapeutic compression stockings in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25(2):116 Zajkowski PJ, Proctor MC, Wakefield TW, Bloom J, Blessing B, Greenfield LJ. Compression stockings and venous function. Arch Surg. 2002;137(9):1064Ð1068 Neumann HA. Compression therapy with medical elastic stockings for venous diseases. Dermatol Surg. 1998;24(7):765Ð70 Wright JB, Lam K, Burrell RE. Wound management in an era of increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance: a role for topical silver treatment. Am J Infection Control. 1998;26:572Ð577 Tazume S, Yoshida T. Independent Third Party Testing. Tokai University, May 1997. Series of three studies conducted on the application of silver-coated thread (X-static) when used in different media, including hosiery, shoes and carpet. Pennsylvania State University, 1987. |
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