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Reduction of Chronic Posttraumatic Hand Edema: A Comparison of High Voltage Pulsed Current, Intermittent Pneumatic Compression, and Placebo Treatments

J Griffin, MS, PT, is Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Tennessee, 847 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38163 (USA).
L Newsome, BS, PT, is Assistant Director of Physical Therapy, Campbell Clinic Inc, 869 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103-3433.
S Stralka, BS, PT, is Director of Physical Therapy, Campbell Clinic.
PE Wright, MD, is Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and high voltage pulsed current (HVPC) in reducing chronic posttraumatic hand edema. Thirty patients with posttraumatic hand edema were randomly assigned to IPC, HVPC, or placebo-HVPC groups (10 patients in each group). Patients received a single application of the respective treatment for 30 minutes. Measurements were made before and after a 10-minute rest period and after the 30-minute treatment. A volumetric method was used to quantify edema reduction. Reduction in hand edema was significant between the IPC and placebo-HVPC groups (p = .01). Differences in edema reduction between the HVPC and placebo-HVPC groups did not reach statistical significance (p = .04), but were considered clinically significant. There was no significant difference between the IPC and HVPC groups. A single 30-minute administration of IPC produced a significant reduction in hand edema. Additional clinical studies are needed to delineate maximally effective treatment protocols for reduction of chronic posttraumatic hand edema.

Key Words: Edema • Electrotherapy, electrical stimulation • Hand injuries • Wound healing

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