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Case Study
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Measuring sub-bandage static and dynamic compression pressures Harvey N. Mayrovitz, PhD, Suzanne Humen, OTR-CLT, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL Given the multitude of compression bandages and devices available for treating limb edema and ulcers it is useful to have a reliable method to assess the levels of static and dynamic compression pressures achievable. Herein the potential utility of a small (10 mm square) and thin (1 mm) sensor system to accomplish this has been preliminarily evaluated using a short stretch bandage (SS) and a four layer bandage system (FP). Following a rapid in situ calibration procedure, static pressures were measured on the posterior mid-calf with the subject first supine and then standing. Dynamic pressures were measured as the subject then performed heel-up maneuvers while standing. Dynamic pressure is here defined as the increase in pressure from its value while standing at rest. Bandages were applied by a highly experienced therapist using standard recommended procedures. All pressure data was acquired directly into a computer for visualization and analysis. Technical results indicated that sub-bandage pressures could be rapidly and reliably determined with this procedure. Pressure results of this single case study showed small differences between dynamic pressures between bandage system types, with average values of 31 mmHg and 32 mmHg being recorded for FP and SS respectively. However, supine resting pressures were found to be lower for SS (27.5 mmHg) than for FP (42.7 mmHg). Within the limits of a single case study the present results demonstrate the utility of sub-bandage pressure measurement and provide comparative representative data on both static and dynamic pressure features of the bandage systems utilized. Although each achieved similar and useful levels of dynamic pressure, the SS achieved these at lower static resting levels than the FP system. Such differences may have important clinical implications in specific patients, an aspect that will be further discussed. Additional systematic work is recommended to enlarge upon these findings. |
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