Interface pressure measurements in leg ulcer management

Abstract

Interface pressure measurements are undertaken in health care as a useful tool to assist in understanding the pressures that exist between the skin surface and another surface. Pressure monitors are utilized to measure pressures under compression bandages and pressure garments and in determining pressures between patients and support surfaces such as pressure-reducing mattresses and cushions. This literature review identified that many studies using these measurements are inadequately described, and that there are many variables such as the effect of time, posture and temperature associated with such measurements that may lead to misinterpretation of results. Studies utilizing interface pressure measurements should be interpreted with caution and measurement techniques could be improved.