Therapy

Why?

• Patients with proximal DVT are less likely to develop post-thrombotic leg syndrome (leg pain, swelling and ulcers), if they wear knee-length sized-to-fit elasticated stockings daily for at least 2 years. However stockings do not clearly prevent recurrent DVT or ulcers. ^b
• Patient compliance is good - 93% wear stockings all or most of the time. ^b

Sized-to-fit elasticated stockings worn daily reduce thrombotic leg syndrome

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	RRR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
proximal DVT a	sized-to-fit elasticated stockings daily for at least 2 years	no stockings	mild-to-moderate post-thrombotic leg syndrome at 5 years	47%	58% (34% to 73%)	4 (3 to 7)
			severe post-thrombotic leg syndrome at 5 years	23%	51% (5% to 75%)	8 (4 to 68)