Compression classes & pressure characteristics
Compression classes
(pressure at ankle)

Compression therapy exerts a controlled pressure on a limb. Different compression classes exist (depending on the regional norms) for circular knit and flat knit products.
*Pressure characteristics
- Resting pressure: pressure created at the interface of the compression textile and the limb in a supine position (when resting). This corresponds to the compression class of a given product.
- Working pressure: pressure created at the interface of the compression textile and the limb during movement. The increase in pressure that occurs during movement depends on the fabric stiffness. Stiffer material results in a greater increase in working pressure.
Two garments of the same compression class produce the same resting pressure, but the stiffer garment produces a higher working pressure.
A high stiffness effectively reduces edema, but it makes the donning of compression stockings difficult: this is why compression stockings have a lower stiffness compared to bandages or wraps.