Interface pressure and stiffness in different combinations of compression material.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the interface pressure and stiffness between various combinations of compression material.

METHODS

Using a stiffness-determining device, the interface pressure and stiffness were determined in several combinations of five elastic stockings and two elastic bandages.

RESULTS

In the double stockings system, the interface pressure increased significantly and the highest stiffness was observed in double short-stretch stockings. When short-stretch bandages were applied over either short- or long-stretch stockings, a significant increase in stiffness was observed at any initial pressure compared with the single use of short-stretch stockings. In double bandage systems, when short-stretch bandages were applied over either short- or long-stretch bandages, the stiffness increased significantly. When long-stretch bandages were used over short-stretch bandages, the stiffness decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The stiffness is changeable according to the combinations of material, such as double stockings, double bandages and the wearing of bandages over stockings. The use of short-stretch bandages as the outside layer produces the highest stiffness at a high initial pressure.