Background: Leg discomfort is common in the general population. Volume increase and discomfort in the lower legs especially occur in occupations with long standing or sitting periods and less movement. Are both related to each other? Patients and methods: A time-controlled standing period of 15 min was performed in this nonrandomized controlled study to investigate the change and temporal relationship of volume increase and the occurrence of lower leg discomfort. Sensations of discomfort and the urge to move were queried using a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10 (NRS). Correlation analysis was conducted between the lower leg volume and the data regarding the discomfort and urge to move in each subject. Further, linear mixed effect models were performed to detect a causal relationship between the lower leg volume and the sensations of discomfort/urge to move in the standing period. Results: Lower leg volume increased by an average of 63 ml (p<0.001) during the standing period. The sensations of discomfort increased by a mean of 3.46 points on the NRS (p<0.001) during orthostasis. Participants' urge to move increased by 3.47 points on the NRS (p<0.001) during the standing period. A significant correlation was shown between the increase of lower leg volume and the occurrence of discomfort sensation in 9 out of 15 subjects (p<0.05) and between the increase of lower leg volume and the urge to move in 11 out of 15 subjects (p<0.05). Association was shown between volume increase and symptoms in linear mixed effects models. Conclusions: Prolonged standing with lack of movement leads to an increase in the lower leg volume and a sensation of discomfort in venous healthy subjects. Causal relationships are indicated between these variables by linear mixed effects models.
Keywords: Leg edema; healthy subjects; leg complaints; orthostasis.