Categorising compression garments and accessories for upper-body lymphoedema

Compression therapy is pivotal to the management of lymphoedema of the upper limb, breast and trunk. Compression can be achieved with a range of garment types and accessories. Distinguishing between these categories is foundational to using the STRIDE algorithm for compression selection, a tool designed to guide healthcare providers in optimising compression therapy for improved patient outcomes. This article outlines the seven garment categories of circular-knit garments, stiffer circular-knit garments, flat-knit garments, adjustable wraps, decongestive wraps, night-time garments and trunk garments, as well as two compression accessories: focal pads and donning/doffing aides. It also discusses how garments within these categories can be distinguished by textile properties, such as pressure, stiffness and containment.