Diurnal Volume Changes of the Lower Legs in Healthy Males with a Profession That Requires Standing

Background/aims: The aims of this study are two-fold: To determine intra-individual volume changes of the lower legs in the course of a working day in healthy employees with a standing position at work; to relate complaints of the legs in healthy employees with volume changes in the course of the day.

Methods: Physical examination and Doppler ultrasound examination were used to exclude the presence of venous disorders. A questionnaire was used to assess complaints of the legs. The lower leg volume was measured with an optical leg volume meter on 2 or 3 days at the beginning and end of a full working day.

Results: Included were 197 male workers with a standing profession and no signs of venous insufficiency. The mean volume change of the lower leg was +1.8% for the left leg and +1.6% for the right leg. This volume increase was significant for both legs (P<0.05). A volume [1 volume unit (VU) is approximately 1 ml] increase of over 50 VU was found in 46% of the legs, mean 141 VU. An unchanged volume (-50 VU to 50 VU) was found VU was found in 18% of the legs, mean -138 VU. Sixty-four percent of the subjects reported subjective complaints of the legs. A tired feeling in the legs, restless legs and a sensation of swelling of the legs were equally present in all three groups of volume change. A statistically significant correlation between pain and a volume decrease was found for the left leg.

Conclusions: Diurnal volume changes of the lower legs were distributed as a Gaussian curve. A volume increase was common, but not obligatory. A volume increase of the legs was not associated with complaints of the legs or clinically evident oedema. This suggests that a volume increase can be a physiological phenomenon.