Is Compression Therapy Contraindicated For Lower Leg Erysipelas? Results Of A Retrospective Analysis

In many medical expert recommendations and guidelines, the use of compression therapy for acute erysipelas is designated as a contraindication. Due to the sometimes massive oedema, compression therapy is nevertheless used in some clinics. This led to the question whether compression therapy for erysipelas of the lower leg actually leads to complications due to the acute infection and thus represents a contraindication. For the period 01 January 2018 to 30 June 2019, the records of 56 inpatients with acute erysipelas of the lower leg who received compression therapy in addition to systemic antibiotic therapy were retrospectively evaluated. The duration of inpatient treatment, the infection parameters determined as part of the ward routine and any complications that occurred were evaluated. While treated as inpatients the blood parameters for infection clearly dropped. Compression therapy was started on admission day in 92.9% of patients and continued until discharge. None of the patients showed an increase in fever or clinical signs of sepsis during the hospital stay. In this retrospective analysis it could be shown for the first time that compression therapy does not cause a clinical worsening or trigger a septic clinical picture in patients with acute erysipelas. Therefore, the authors consider the declaration of acute erysipelas as contraindication for compression therapy as not justified.