[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Nursing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/) › [Procedures](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/areas/procedures/) › Compression and elastic bandaging # Compression and elastic bandaging - Procedure Bandages and stockings squeeze the limb to push blood back up the veins and reduce swelling; they must be even, never too tight, and checked often. Updated Nov 12, 2026 ## Key points - Assess arterial circulation before therapeutic compression: an ankle-brachial index below 0.8 is a contraindication in many protocols. - Apply the bandage firmly but not tightly, with even tension and no wrinkles, using the technique the protocol sets. - Leave the toes or fingers visible; check colour, warmth, sensation and movement after applying and regularly. - Put stockings on in the morning, before getting up, smooth and without wrinkles or a rolled top. - At rest, raise the swollen leg above the level of the heart. ## What it is Compression with bandages or stockings applies graded pressure, highest at the ankle, which helps blood return through the veins, reduces swelling and helps venous ulcers heal. An elastic bandage also supports a sprained joint when it is wrapped firmly but not tightly. Before therapeutic compression, the arterial circulation must be assessed: in significant arterial disease, compression can cut off blood flow to the limb. The ankle-brachial index helps decide, although calcified arteries in diabetes can give falsely normal values. ## Indications - Venous leg ulcers and chronic venous insufficiency. - Leg oedema of venous origin. - Support of a sprained joint, with ice and elevation. - Stockings prescribed to prevent blood clots after surgery, injury or inactivity. ## Contraindications and precautions - Significant arterial disease: weak or absent pulses, a cold, pale foot or a low ankle-brachial index; do not compress, consult. - In diabetes the ankle-brachial index can be falsely normal because of calcified arteries. - Reduced sensation: the person may not feel a bandage that is too tight. - Fragile skin, dermatitis or wet wounds need protection under the bandage. - Wrinkles and bunching must be avoided under any bandage or stocking. ## Equipment - Bandage of the width and type ordered; compression stockings measured for the patient. - Padding or foam over the ulcer dressing and bony prominences. - Tape to secure the end. - Skin moisturiser for the intact skin. - Record sheet. ## Step by step (and why) - Check the order and assess skin, pulses, temperature, sensation and swelling — a baseline; arterial disease is a contraindication. - Raise the limb for a few minutes before wrapping — less swelling makes the pressure more even. - Place the dressing and padding over the ulcer and bony prominences — spreads pressure and protects the skin. - Apply the bandage firmly but not tightly, using the technique the protocol sets — too tight can cut off blood flow. - Keep the tension even and smooth out wrinkles and bunching — uneven pressure injures the skin. - Finish where the order says and secure the end with tape, leaving the toes visible — allows circulation checks. - Check toe colour, warmth, capillary refill, sensation and movement after wrapping — detects a bandage that is too tight. - Teach the patient to report tingling, numbness, pain or colour change, and to raise the leg at rest — early warning. - Record the type of compression, skin condition, circulation checks and tolerance — allows follow-up. ## Complications - A bandage that is too tight: pain, numbness, pale or blue toes and reduced blood flow. - Pressure injuries over bony prominences or under wrinkles. - Skin maceration or irritation under the bandage. - A bandage that slips and loses its effect. - Worse ischaemia if arterial disease was missed. ## Next step: when to call for help - Loosen or remove the bandage and call if the toes are pale, blue, cold or numb, or pain increases. - Call for signs of ulcer infection: more redness, warmth or swelling, yellow or cloudy drainage, bleeding, odour, fever or chills. - Call if the patient cannot tolerate the compression; do not stop prescribed compression without consulting. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why is arterial circulation assessed before compression therapy? Because compression on a limb with significant arterial disease can cut off its blood flow and cause ischaemia. ## How tight should an elastic bandage on a sprained joint be? Firm but not tight: it limits movement and swelling without cutting off blood flow. Ice and elevation are used with it. ## Which checks are done after applying a bandage? Colour, warmth, capillary refill, sensation and movement of the toes or fingers, after wrapping and regularly. ## When are compression stockings best put on? In the morning, before getting out of bed, when the swelling is lowest; smoothed out with no wrinkles. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/nursing/compression-and-elastic-bandaging/) ## Connections ## Related 4 - [Mechanical prevention of venous thromboembolism: stockings and intermittent compression](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/mechanical-prevention-of-venous-thromboembolism-stockings-and-intermittent-compr/) - [Wound care and dressings: cleaning and choosing a dressing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/wound-care-and-dressings-cleaning-and-choosing-a-dressing/) - [Wound assessment: bed, edges, exudate and signs of infection](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/wound-assessment-bed-edges-exudate-and-signs-of-infection/) - [Complications of immobility and how to prevent them](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/complications-of-immobility-and-how-to-prevent-them/) [← All of nursing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/) Educational content for students; it does not replace your institution's protocols, supervised clinical training or a prescriber's order. Dose-calculation examples use made-up numbers: they are educational, not a clinical order. Sources: [Venous ulcers - self-care: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000744.htm) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); [How to use compression stockings: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000597.htm) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); [Sprains: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000041.htm) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); [Cuidado del paciente con úlcera venosa, índice tobillo-brazo](https://encolombia.com/medicina/revistas-medicas/enfermeria/ve-171/ulcera-tobillo-brazo/) (Revista Actualizaciones en Enfermería, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, 2014). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/nursing/compression-and-elastic-bandaging/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/nursing/compression-and-elastic-bandaging/