Pneumatic compression pumps are one of the treatment options for lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency. This page explains what these devices do, what the published research has found, and what to look for when choosing one — so patients and referring clinicians in Michigan can make an informed decision.
What does a pneumatic compression pump actually do?
A pneumatic compression pump inflates a garment worn over the affected limb. The garment is divided into chambers that inflate in sequence, moving accumulated lymph fluid from the far end of the limb back toward the trunk, where working lymphatic vessels can carry it away.
The important part is often misunderstood: the garment does the therapy, and the pump supplies the air. A garment that does not fit the limb correctly will not deliver the intended pressure gradient, no matter how capable the pump is. That is why measurement and fit matter as much as the device you select.
Devices differ in how they apply that pressure. In a gradient sequential (non-peristaltic) design, the chambers nearest the foot or hand hold their pressure while the chambers above them fill, so a pressure gradient is maintained along the whole limb through the cycle. Chamber count also varies — commonly four, eight or sixteen — with more chambers allowing pressure to be tuned more finely along the limb.
What does the research show about pneumatic compression?
Limb volume and cost of care. A prospective study of 128 patients and 232 treated extremities followed over two years recorded a 28% decrease in absolute limb volume at one year, improvement in seven of eight quality-of-life domains, and a fall in lymphedema-related hospital admissions from 0.84 to 0.16 per patient. Direct cost of care fell from $4,239 to $600 per patient per year. Desai & Shao, Annals of Vascular Surgery, 2019.
Infection and adherence. In a study of 69 patients at a comprehensive lymphedema program, adding pump therapy was associated with a 32% decrease in infection rates and a 24% decrease in physical therapy needs. Adherence to pump therapy was 84% at median 18-month follow-up; in the comparison group, 47% had stopped performing manual lymphatic drainage. Soran et al., Lymphatic Research and Biology, 2021.
What specialty societies concluded. A 40-member expert consensus panel convened by the American Venous Forum, the American Vein and Lymphatic Society and the Society for Vascular Medicine reached 92% agreement that sequential pneumatic compression should be recommended for lymphedema patients, and 91.5% agreement that it should be considered adjuvant therapy in the maintenance phase. Panelists noted that advanced devices with calibrated gradient pressure were superior to simpler devices without it. Lurie et al., Phlebology, 2022.
What imaging shows. A 2025 study used indocyanine green lymphography to observe 25 patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema before and after a single 45-minute session. Edema fluid moved from the distal to the proximal limb in 92% of patients, and compensatory drainage pathways appeared that had not been visible beforehand. Skin stiffness decreased at every limb level measured. Zaleska & Krzesniak, Lymphatic Research and Biology, 2025.
What should you look for in a pump?
Several manufacturers make appropriate devices, and the right choice depends on the patient. These are the six features worth asking about, whoever you buy from.
How the pressure is applied
Ask whether the device is gradient sequential, and whether distal chambers hold pressure while the proximal chambers fill.
Warranty length
This is equipment a patient uses most days for years. Warranty terms vary by manufacturer and by model — ask before you decide.
Where it is made and serviced
Domestic manufacturing usually means faster parts, service and replacement garments when something goes wrong.
Range of garment sizes
Ask how many stock sizes exist and whether custom garments are available. Fit determines whether the therapy works.
Whether garments can be cleaned
People with lymphedema already carry elevated infection risk. A garment that can be wiped down is a practical advantage.
Chamber count and coverage
Four, eight or sixteen chambers, and whether garments exist for the arm, trunk and abdomen as well as the leg.
Midwest Compression is a dealer for Bio Compression Systems, whose Sequential Circulator pumps are gradient sequential, manufactured in Moonachie, New Jersey, and carry a three-year pump warranty across the lymphedema range. Garments are cleanable nylon, available in 4, 8 and 16 chamber configurations for the leg, arm, trunk and abdomen, in 21 stock leg sizes plus custom. Three of the four studies above were conducted on Bio Compression devices by name.
Can I try a pump before deciding?
Yes. Patients can come to our Richland store and trial a pump — put the garment on, run a session, and feel the pressure before committing to anything. In our experience it is the single fastest way to find out whether someone will actually use the device day after day, which is what determines whether it helps.
Fittings are done in our suite by a Certified Compression Therapist, who measures the limb rather than working from a size chart, and remeasures as the limb changes over time. For patients who cannot travel to us, we deliver and set up across Michigan. Either way, the patient finishes the appointment knowing how to run a session and who to call.
On coverage. The Lymphedema Treatment Act made compression garments a covered durable medical equipment benefit for qualifying diagnoses, and most insurance plans now cover compression. We verify benefits and confirm any out-of-pocket amount before a patient is asked to commit to anything.
What does a payer need to see in the notes?
Coverage for a pneumatic compression device turns on medical necessity, and payers review the clinical record to decide it. The requirements vary between plans, but the elements below are what most medical-necessity reviews look for. Sending them the first time is the difference between a determination in weeks and one in months.
A lymphedema diagnosis
Named as lymphedema, with the cause and the date swelling began. Edema on its own is generally not enough.
Objective findings
Limb measurements, or documented clinical signs — positive Stemmer's sign, fibrosis, weeping, skin breakdown, recurrent infection.
A four-week conservative trial
Appropriate medical compression — a fitted garment or bandage system — plus elevation, exercise and diet, with the dates it ran.
Measurements at both ends of it
Limb measurements at baseline with the start date, and again at the four-week mark with that date, showing the swelling persists.
Why this device, for this patient
If a calibrated device with individually adjustable chamber pressures is being requested, the note should say what makes it necessary here.
A current signature
Signed and dated by the ordering provider, generally within the previous six months.
We assemble this documentation and come back to the ordering provider for clarification rather than guessing at the record, and we verify benefits before the patient is asked to commit to anything.
Which areas of Michigan do you serve?
Our fitting suite is in Richland, in Kalamazoo County, and we deliver throughout Michigan — including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Portage, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Jackson and Ann Arbor. Referrals are accepted from vascular clinics, oncology practices, wound care centers, primary care, and physical and occupational therapists.
Referring a patient, or arranging a trial
Clinicians: send the patient's demographics, the prescription and your clinical notes. We will verify benefits and contact the patient to schedule. Patients: call us and we will walk you through what your provider needs to send.
Phone 800-883-1549 · Text
517-657-5223 · Fax 800-886-4201
customersupport@midwestcompression.com
8988 E. D Ave., Richland, MI 49083
References. Desai SS, Shao M. Superior clinical, quality of life, functional and health economic outcomes with pneumatic compression therapy for lymphedema. Annals of Vascular Surgery 2019. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Bio Compression Systems, Inc. · Soran A, Toktas O, Grassi A, Sezgin E. Adding pneumatic compression therapy in lower extremity lymphedema increases compliance of treatment, while decreasing the infection rate. Lymphatic Research and Biology 2021. No competing interests; no funding. · Lurie F, Malgor RD, Carman T, et al. The American Venous Forum, American Vein and Lymphatic Society and the Society for Vascular Medicine expert opinion consensus on lymphedema diagnosis and treatment. Phlebology 2022;37(4):252–266. · Zaleska MT, Krzesniak NE. The intermittent pneumatic compression influences edema fluid movement and promotes the compensatory drainage pathways in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema. Lymphatic Research and Biology 2025. No competing interests; no funding. · This page is general education about a category of medical device. It is not medical advice and does not replace evaluation by a qualified clinician.