Venous leg ulcers: 10 years of assessing cost-effective solutions

Abstract

The adoption of 4-layer bandaging as a standard treatment for venous leg ulceration is a story of professional and governmental reluctance to accept a new innovation, while old procedures were followed which had no evidence base. Ten years of trials were needed before the therapy had proved itself, during which time thousands of patients were denied effective treatment. Repeated studies have shown 4-layer bandaging to be a clinically effective and cost efficient treatment for this distressing and disabling condition.