The use of compression hosiery is widespread within the community and hospital setting and is an essential component of lower limb maintenance and prevention. Compression is the cost-effective therapy that heals venous ulceration, prevents recurrence and contains chronic oedema, thus significantly affecting patients clinical outcomes as well as financial outcomes. The knowledge and skills of the clinician are important in ensuring appropriate selection and fitting of compression hosiery. The increasing range of compression options, including the availability of European classification, has compounded the difficulty in choosing due to differences between various options. This could lead to inappropriate choice, thus providing poor clinical and financial outcomes. The development of a hosiery selection algorithm can assist the clinician in appropriate selection of hosiery for the prevention and management of lower limb ulceration.
