The Static Stiffness Index: an important parameter to characterise compression therapy in vivo

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Compression therapy dosage, specifically compression pressure, is often overlooked in scientific literature and clinical practice.
• Clinically relevant compression pressures are those experienced in upright and ambulatory positions, not just resting pressure.
• The Static Stiffness Index (SSI) quantifies the difference between standing and resting pressures, indicating a compression product's efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a literature review on the Static Stiffness Index (SSI).
• To support recommendations from the International Compression Club regarding SSI.
• To highlight the importance of SSI in clinical practice, education, and research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on Static Stiffness Index (SSI).
• Analysis of SSI's role in characterizing compression product efficacy.
• Discussion of SSI's application in clinical settings and research.

Main Results:

• SSI is a valuable parameter for assessing compression therapy effectiveness.
• SSI helps in reducing venous reflux and improving venous pumping function during movement.
• The reviewed literature supports the use of SSI in guiding compression therapy.

Conclusions:

• The Static Stiffness Index (SSI) is essential for understanding and applying compression therapy effectively.
• SSI serves as an educational tool and a standard for defining compression therapy properties in research.
• Further emphasis on SSI is recommended for both clinical practice and scientific investigation.