Superimposition of elastic and nonelastic compression bandages.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the pressure applied by superimposed bandages and to compare it with the pressure applied by single-component bandages.

METHODS: Six different bandages, composed of one elastic bandage, one nonelastic bandage, or both, were applied in a spiral pattern on both legs of 25 patients at risk of venous thrombosis as a consequence of central or peripheral motor deficiency. Pressure was measured at four measurement points on the leg (B1 and C on the medial and lateral sides of the leg) and in three positions: supine, sitting, and standing.

RESULTS: The two single bandages applied similar pressure in the supine position. Their superimposition showed different pressure levels (P < .05) but similar static stiffness index, depending on the order in which the bandage components were applied on the leg. The highest interface pressure was measured at point B1 on the medial side of the leg. This point also showed the highest pressure increase from supine to standing position. The pressure applied by the superimposition of two bandages was computed as a linear combination of the pressure applied by each single component (with a constant term set to 0). However, this linear combination did not properly fit the experimental pressure measurements.

CONCLUSIONS: The order of bandage application showed a significant impact on interface pressure. However, the poor correlation between the pressure applied by each bandage component and the pressure resulting from their superimposition underlined the poor understanding of interface pressure generated by the superimposition of compression bandages and should lead to further investigations.