Study on different bandages and application techniques for achieving stiffer compression

Abstract

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between interface pressure and stiffness of compression achieved by various combinations of bandages and application techniques.

Method

There were eight healthy volunteers. One roll (4.5 m) of four types of bandages with different extensibilities (0, 90, 108 and 218%) was applied to the leg in single-layer bandage fashion with eight random tensions. Then, the leg was wrapped with one to eight rolls in multi-layer bandage fashion.

Results

Each combination of bandage and application technique displayed an indigenous linear interface pressure-static stiffness index relationship. With single-layer bandage, lower extensibility was associated with higher static stiffness index at a given interface pressure. With multi-layer bandage, the static stiffness index at a given interface pressure was independent of the bandage type.

Conclusion

The stiffness at a given interface pressure was affected by the extensibility with single-layer bandage but not with multi-layer bandage.