Multi-Layer compression wraps contain elastic (long stretch) materials or nonelastic (short stretch fabrics) or a combination of both.
Creep is defined as the deformation of a material, in this case fabric, due to an applied amount of tension or stretch. A fabric that has significant creep loses compression when wrapped around the limb. For example a fabric that is stretched 100% from 8 inches in length to 16 inches in length should return to his normal configuration of 8 inches length after the release of any tension or stretch. The degree to which it does not return to 8 inches (possibly to 10 inches or 11 inches) is reflective of the degree of creep. This deformation of the fabric is due to the amount of tension and the length of time during which the tension was applied. The clinical results of creep can be shown by research by Hegarty et al which demonstrated that two layer multilayer wrap systems can lose as much as 25% of their compression in five hours of time. They also demonstrated that four-layer multi-layer wrap systems can lose as much as 10% of their compression in only five hours [2]. These findings illustrate the creep found in these systems, reducing the amount of applied compression and contributing to the wrap not remaining in place on the lower leg. After a few days of application, wrap systems can slide down to the middle of the leg. This creates friction and bunching of the fabric which and can lead to secondary ulceration often located on the anterior tibial crest.