Muscle pump

Term used in phlebology to describe the mechanical support of the peripheral venous system by the movements of the muscular system. Due to the contractions and relaxation of the muscles during movement, the intramuscular veins are repeatedly compressed and expanded, which leads to a unidirectional, centripetally directed flow of blood through the valve system of the veins.

Muscle pump Contractiosphase of the musculature:

When the muscles contract, the pressure in the intermuscular venous system increases by 2 to 7 times the resting values. The venous valves in the Vv Perforantes close and prevent blood reflux into the superficial system.

Muscle pump Relaxation phase of the musculature:

During the muscle relaxation phase, the deep veins dilate again, creating a suction effect that draws venous blood from the periphery into the affected vein section. The closure of the proximal venous valves prevents reflux from the proximal to the dilated area. At the same time, the valves in the perforating veins open again, as the pressure in the deep venous system drops below the pressure of the epifascial venous system. This also allows venous blood to flow from the superficial veins via the perforating veins into the deep veins.

The functionally important muscle pumps function according to this principle. These are

• the calf muscle pump
• the thigh muscle pump and
• the foot sole muscle pump.

A more differentiated view must be taken of the function of the so-called joint pump.

The regular use of the foot and leg muscles on the one hand, and the intact valve function of the venous valves on the other, are of decisive importance for the physiological centripetally directed venous blood flow. In this way, blood is transported from segment to segment towards the abdomen.

1. Nüllen H, Noppeney T (2010) Varicosis in different stages of life. In: T Noppeney, H Nüllen Diagnosis and therapy of varicosis. Springer Medicine Publishing House Heidelberg S 10 -31