Edema-protective agents in postoperative disturbances of venous and lymphatic microcirculation in the lower limbs.

Clinical observations indicate that impairment of venous and lymphatic microcirculation is a major complication of orthopedic surgery. Usually it is older patients with certain risk factors that are affected. The symptoms are generally present after knee or hip arthroplasty, but they may occur even after less invasive procedures performed on patients with musculo-skeletal trauma, or as complications after plaster cast immobilization of the leg. This is due to the specific anatomy of the circulatory system in the lower limbs, and to the physiology of venous blood and lymph return. The present study presents a general assessment of the problem and the properties of the drugs used by orthopedic surgeons in the prevention and treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. These drugs are usually plant extracts, but semisynthetic and synthetic drugs are also produced. In some cases micronization technology has improved their bioavailability. There are many drugs available on the pharmaceutical market, which results, to a certain extent, from the varying bioactivity of the components. Reduced edema of the lower limbs and the relief of other subjective symptoms, such as pain, cramping, the feeling of swollen legs, and paresthesia prove that systematic usage of these drugs is efficient and entirely justifiable.