Patient perception on compression is skewed by thinking it’s just a tight sock that would feel uncomfortable to put on.

Well, these perceptions are real in that why can a wound not just be covered with fancy patches to heal or an ointment applied on the wound so to allow it to heal?

Compression, even if it’s perceived negatively helps wound heal in the following ways.

Helps maintain wound moisture

Compressing the wound, you end up retaining the natural moisture needed to keep the wound cell alive. When cells are kept alive, there can multiply and grow, resulting in fast healing.

Some doctors do recommend the use of topical antibiotic ointment to keep the wound moist and lower infection. As if this is not enough, compression acts as the natural ways to retain wound healing moisture.

Offer wound protection

Compressing of wound gives protection and comfort on the affected areas. Injuries, dirt, and germs from open wound prolong healing time.

Compressing means you protect the wound from unwanted microorganism hence speeding up the healing process.

Compression lowers Oedema

Whenever a person with a wound experience edema, the wound healing process is compromised. Chronic edema impairs healing and should at all times, put under control. Edema causes skin change that eventually brings about open ulcerations. The type of compression sleeves used to lower edema depends on the will of the patient. We have those sleeves made from elastic rubber and those from clothing material. Sleeves from rubber hold more moisture that increases the healing process.

In conclusion, no matter where a wound is in the body, in its course of healing, it must create problems. The new injury will not start to heal immediately; chronic once will continue to stall and newly closed stands high chances of opening. Make sure you compress them accordingly to increase the healing process.