How long do compression bandages maintain their pressure during ambulatory treatment of varicose veins?

Compression bandages are normally applied for 6 weeks after sclerotherapy. The changes in pressure exerted by such bandages have been measured over 8 h. The results show that different surgeons applied bandages over a wide range of pressures but the range for each individual surgeon was surprisingly narrow. The pressure falls with time and approaches zero at 6--8 h of normal activity by the subject, but more slowly if the knee and ankle joints are excluded from the bandage. The initial pressures were higher when STD compression pads were used, although the rate at which the pressure fell was the same.