Numerical simulation of mechanical interaction between lower-limb and compression stocking

Stocking compression exerted on lower limb is effective to prevent and manage various venous diseases, such as varicose vein, oedema, and deep vein thrombosis. Different diseases and different stage of a disease may require compression of different degrees. The purpose of this study is to theoretically examine the pressure distribution on leg and the mechanical state of the leg under stocking pressure. A FEM approach is used to simulate the dynamic put-on process of a knee-length stocking. A biomechanical solid model consisting of soft tissue and bones is built for the lower leg, and an orthotropic shell model is built for the stocking. With this approach, a stocking simulation involving different materials, and a lower leg was carried out. Reasonable pressure and stress distributions in the stocking and the lower leg are obtained. The comparison between the simulated pressure values and the respective measured results confirms that this approach is able to predict the pressure of stockings exerted on the legs.