Compression wraps offer no healing advantage for venous leg ulcers, clinical trial finds
Compression wraps are unlikely to help venous leg ulcers heal faster than standard compression treatments, according to a clinical trial led by University of Manchester and York researchers.
A recent clinical trial conducted by researchers from the University of Manchester and York has found that compression wraps do not provide a faster healing advantage for venous leg ulcers compared to standard compression treatments. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, involved 637 adults receiving care at 33 community sites across the UK.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either compression wraps, two-layer compression bandages, or established evidence-based compression treatments, including four-layer bandages or two-layer compression stockings. The results showed that ulcers treated with compression wraps healed more slowly than those treated with established evidence-based compression methods, including two-layer bandages.
While patients found compression wraps comfortable, easy to adjust, and self-aplicable, these same features may contribute to loosening or removal of the wraps, potentially reducing the therapeutic compression and explaining the slower healing observed in the trial. The study suggests that compression wraps should not be the first-line treatment for most people with venous leg ulcers, although they may be suitable for some patients who prioritize comfort, independence, or self-management, provided they receive clear guidance on maintaining effective compression.
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