Bandages may be classified based on their intended use and the amount of compression generated in the underlying tissues.
|
Bandage Description
|
Intended Use
|
Compression Pressure
|
Type
|
|
lightweight conforming-stretch
|
hold dressing in place
|
minimal (a few mm Hg at most)
|
1
|
|
light support (short or minimal stretch)
|
joint support or varicose veins
|
low
|
2
|
|
light compression
|
early varicose veins, venous leg ulcers
|
around 20 mm Hg
|
3a
|
|
moderate compression
|
venous leg ulcers
|
around 30 mm Hg
|
3b
|
|
high compression
|
venous leg ulcers and gross edema
|
around 40 mm Hg
|
3c
|
|
very high compression
|
gross edema
|
around 50 mm Hg or higher
|
3d
|
The potential for patient injury increases with the increase in compression pressure.
