Comparative Study of Long- and Short-Stretch Woven Compression Bandages

• Published in: AUTEX Research Journal 2021-12, Vol.21 (4), p.435-444
• Main Authors: Aboalasaad, Abdelhamid R. R., Sirková, Brigita Kolčavová, Bílá, Pavlína, Khalil, Amany A. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Compression therapy; cyclic loading; long and short-stretch woven compression bandages; Materials science; Medical dressings; Picopress tester; stress-relaxation; Textiles
• ISSN: 2300-0929; 1470-9589; 2300-0929
• DOI: 10.2478/aut-2020-0035

Compression therapy using bandages or socks is the most common treatment for venous leg ulcers and edema. This article aims to compare the compression between long- and short-stretch bandages (LSB and SSB, respectively). Load-elongation curves, cyclic loading, and elastic recovery are investigated for both Cotton/Polyamide/Polyurethane and 100% bleached cotton bandages as LSB and SSB, respectively. Static (resting) and dynamic (working) pressures are measured on seven male legs, 31 ± 3.6 years old, using both two and three layers bandaging. Picopress pressure tests are performed on the ankle and mid-calf positions at gradual decreasing compression from the ankle to the knee. The deviation percentage between the experimental results by Picopress and theoretical calculations using Laplace's law and Al-Khaburi equations is compared. LSB recovered approximately 99% of its original length after stress-relaxation whereas SSB recovered only 93% of its original length after 5 days of cyclic load-relaxation. Moreover, SSB lost approximately 28.6% of its activity after wearing on the human leg for 5 days.