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.