Terminology: resistance or stiffness for medical compression stockings?

Abstract

Based on previous experimental work with medical compression stockings it is proposed to restrict the term stiffness to measurements on the human leg and rather to speak about resistance when it comes to characterize the elastic property of compression hosiery in the textile laboratory.

Hysteresis and medical compression bandage and stockings

“…the correct dosage for a given situation. [1][2][3] So: i) correct prescription of stockings would be facilitated if manufacturers would provide the hysteresis curves for each of their stocking's model; ii) such measures would also help avoid the use of compression class systems, which vary significantly from country to country. …”

S.T.R.I.D.E. Professional Guide to Compression Garment Selection for the Lower Extremity

“…The compression dosage for MCS can be measured in vitro by compression garment manufacturers using a dynamometer, such as a HOSY, HATRA, or Zwick machine. 12 A section of the garment at the ankle region of the stocking, called the B point, is secured and stretched in a transverse direction, while a software programme records the amount of resistance of the garment to the applied force across the sizing range. 38 This produces a hysteresis curve (Fig 3) of the measured dosages, reflective of the mmHg of inward force on a limb at each increment within the sizing range.…”

“…In vitro assessment of stiffness of a compression textile can be precisely measured in a lab in a consistently reproducible manner. 12 Compression garment manufacturing companies can calculate garment stiffness of a MCS using the same information garnered during dosage testing. For example, using the Zwick CRE (constant rate of extension) machine, a stress/strain curve is produced during dosage testing.…”

Application of air bladders for medical compression hosieries

“…Typically, commercial GCSs are categorized by a number or a range for the pressure exerted at the ankle, which is expressed in millimeters of mercury (1 mmHg ¼ 133,332 Pa). 7,8 Typically, GCSs are classified by the compression values into four different compression classes: Class I is the weakest (10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and Class IV (>49 mmHg) is the strongest. 9 The compression values of the classes vary between different countries.…”