Do patients have to be fully mobile to wear Actico?
The amount of mobility required to activate the calf muscle pump sufficiently to improve venous return is not dependant on brisk walking, therefore even less mobile patients can be treated with this system. Jaine Tuckwood-Smith states in her article that “The desired effect can be achieved in the less mobile patient by the district nurse encouraging ankle flexion, extension, rotation or just weight bearing. Weight bearing alone activates the foot pump, situated in the in the sole of the foot. Ankle movements have no effect on it.” Ref: Tuckwood-Smith J, (1996) Which compression therapy. Journal of Community Nursing, Nov. Vol. 10; Iss.11 Ref: Partsch H, ( 1991 ) Compression Therapy of the Legs – A Review.
