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Antiswelling Effect of StepIt—an Active Foot Pump System

^* Department of Surgery, Academic Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. (E-mail: david.bergqvist{at}surgsci.uu.se)

Abstract

Background: StepIt is a device for active movement of the foot that simulates normal walking with calf muscle contractions.

Methods: In 40 healthy volunteers with predominantly office work and sitting conditions, StepIt was used regularly for 1 day, and the volume of the calf, approximated to a truncated cone, was measured before and after using StepIt. One leg was used as a control, and after 5 days, the exercise was repeated, with the other leg as the control.

Results: The volume of the leg increased during the day and the increase was significantly smaller in the leg that used StepIt.

Conclusions: By using a device for active foot movement in healthy people, it is possible, in some individuals, to reduce the swelling that occurs during sitting conditions. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(1): 20–22, 2009)