Study of three-dimensional weft-knitted spacer fabrics for clinical applications

The use of spacer fabrics has gained a great deal of attention in recent years. Spacer fabrics are high breathable, thus creating a moisture free environment, which in turn, reduces the chances of skin maceration and increases the level of comfort when compared to other materials such as foam, neoprene and composites that are consistently and traditionally used in clinical treatment. This study demonstrates the use of weft-knitted spacer fabrics in the fabrication of orthotic footwear insoles to redistribute foot-orthosis interface pressure over a wider surface area and pressure therapy gloves to improve the control of glove-skin interface pressure and comfort, and eventually, the efficacy of treatment and patient compliance. Apart from laboratory wear trials, a randomised clinical study with 3 burn patients was carried out. The results reveal that 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics provide a satisfactory performance when used in the fabrication of orthotic insoles and pressure pads. The choice of spacer yarn, thickness and knitting structure have significant effects on the compression stress, compression recovery and shearing force. They affect the control of the interfacial pressure over the course of treatment, and should further be investigated.