PROFORE 1 PADDING BANDAGE

The first layer of a multilayer compression system for venous leg ulcer management serves two distinct purposes before any compression is applied. It must protect the vulnerable bony prominences of the ankle and lower leg from the pressure that the outer compression layers will exert, and it must absorb wound exudate from the ulcer surface to keep the outer layers dry and functional during the dressing wear period. A well-applied padding layer creates the even, cushioned limb surface that allows the compression layers above to work correctly. Profore 1 Padding Bandage is the layer 1 padding bandage of the Profore four-layer compression system from Smith & Nephew. 10cm x 3.5m. Applied by trained clinical staff. No prescription required.

Profore 1 Padding Bandage is a regulated medical device from Smith & Nephew. It is the first bandage layer in the Profore four-layer high compression system for venous leg ulcer management. Applied over the wound contact dressing as the innermost bandage layer, Profore 1 is a soft, bulky padding bandage that provides cushioning for the lower limb before the compression bandage layers are applied.

The Profore 1 bandage is an orthopaedic-style padding bandage. Its thick, soft construction conforms to the contours of the lower leg and ankle, filling the concavities around the malleoli and along the shin to create a more even cylindrical limb profile. Compression bandages applied over an uneven limb surface deliver uneven pressure, with higher pressure concentrations over bony prominences and lower pressure over concave areas. The padding layer smooths the limb surface so that the overlying compression layers can deliver consistent, graduated pressure across the full limb circumference from ankle to knee.

Profore 1 also provides the exudate absorption capacity for the complete dressing system. Wound exudate produced by the venous leg ulcer passes through the wound contact dressing and is absorbed into the thick padding layer of Profore 1. This absorption keeps exudate away from the outer compression bandage layers, protecting their structural integrity and extending the overall dressing system wear time. In highly exuding ulcers, the absorption capacity of layer 1 is one of the key factors that determines how long the dressing system can remain in place between complete changes.

The Profore 1 Padding Bandage is used within the complete Profore system alongside Profore 2 (conforming bandage), Profore 3 (light elastic bandage), and Profore 4 (cohesive compression bandage). Together, these four layers deliver the high compression that is the primary treatment for venous leg ulcers. Profore 1 itself does not apply compression.

Profore 1 Padding Bandage is a padding layer component. It does not apply compression. The compression in the Profore system is provided by layers 3 and 4. The clinical decisions about compression therapy for venous leg ulcers, including ABPI assessment, apply to the complete compression system and are made by the clinical team. Profore 1 is applied by trained district or community nurses as part of the supervised compression system.

Bony Prominence Protection

The lower limb has several anatomical prominences that are particularly vulnerable to pressure from overlying bandage layers. The medial and lateral malleoli at the ankle create protrusions on each side of the lower leg. The anterior tibial crest runs along the front of the shin. The head of the fibula at the upper outer leg presents another pressure point. At each of these sites, the same bandage tension that creates therapeutic compression over the soft tissue of the lower leg creates higher localised pressure over the smaller radius of the bony prominence. Without adequate padding, this localised pressure can cause pressure damage to the skin and tissue over these bony sites. The thick soft construction of Profore 1 fills around these prominences and reduces the pressure differential between bony and soft tissue areas under the compression layers.

Limb Profile Smoothing

Venous leg ulcer patients often have oedematous lower limbs with an irregular surface profile, including concavities around the ankle and between the malleoli and the Achilles tendon. Compression bandages applied over an irregular surface cannot deliver consistent pressure. Areas over concavities receive less compression than the surrounding tissue. The padding layer fills these concavities and creates a more consistent cylindrical limb profile. This allows the compression bandage layers to deliver more consistent graduated pressure from ankle to knee, improving the therapeutic effectiveness of the complete system.

Exudate Absorption

The thick, absorbent construction of Profore 1 absorbs wound exudate produced by the venous leg ulcer during the dressing wear period. Exudate passes through the wound contact dressing and is taken up by the padding layer above. By containing the exudate within the padding layer, Profore 1 prevents saturation of the outer compression bandage layers, which would compromise their structural integrity and potentially lead to compression leakage or premature dressing failure. In highly exuding ulcers, the absorption capacity of Profore 1 may determine the change interval for the complete system.

Foundation for Consistent Compression

The overall purpose of Profore 1 is to create the ideal foundation for the compression layers that follow. A well-applied padding layer, consistent in thickness and coverage from foot to below the knee, gives layers 2, 3, and 4 the best conditions for delivering their intended compression profile. Inconsistencies in the padding layer, such as gaps, ridges, or uneven thickness, translate directly into inconsistencies in the compression delivered to the limb.

Position in the Dressing System

• Apply the wound contact dressing to the ulcer surface first.
• Apply Profore 1 Padding Bandage over the wound contact dressing as the first bandage layer.
• Apply Profore 2, then Profore 3, then Profore 4 over the Profore 1 padding.

Application Technique

• Begin at the foot and apply in a spiral technique from foot to below the knee.
• Apply with consistent light tension. Profore 1 is a padding layer and should not be applied with compression tension.
• Ensure even coverage of the full limb from foot to below the knee without gaps or overlapping ridges.
• Pay particular attention to padding around the malleoli to ensure adequate protection of these bony prominences.

Completion

• Proceed to apply Profore 2 conforming bandage over the Profore 1 layer.
• Complete the system with Profore 3 and Profore 4 to deliver the high compression.

The Profore 1 Padding Bandage is applied by trained district or community nurses as part of the complete Profore compression dressing system. It is not for patient self-application. ABPI assessment by the clinical team precedes the first application of the complete system.

Profore 1 Padding Bandage 10cm x 3.5m

Profore 1 Padding Bandage is supplied as a 10cm wide x 3.5m long bandage. The 3.5m length provides sufficient padding material to apply one complete spiral padding layer from foot to below the knee. One bandage provides one complete layer 1 application for the Profore system.

Note on Compression Safety

Profore 1 Padding Bandage does not itself apply compression. However, it is used as part of a complete high compression dressing system. The ABPI assessment requirements and arterial disease contraindications for high compression therapy apply to the complete Profore system, not to the padding bandage layer in isolation. The clinical team manages the safety assessment for the complete system before first application.

Precautions

• Apply as part of the complete Profore four-layer system under clinical supervision.
• Apply with consistent even coverage, paying particular attention to padding around bony prominences.
• Do not apply with compression tension. Profore 1 is a padding layer.
• Not for patient self application.

Role in the Profore System

Profore 1 Padding Bandage is specifically designed for use as layer 1 of the Smith & Nephew Profore four-layer compression system. It is not a standalone dressing and is not used independently of the Profore system. The complete Profore system consists of four components applied in sequence: Profore 1 (padding, layer 1), Profore 2 Soffcrepe (conforming, layer 2), Profore 3 or Profore 3 Litepress (light elastic, layer 3), and Profore+ or Profore 4 Co-Plus (outer compression, layer 4). Each layer contributes a specific function. Profore 1 provides the protective padding foundation. The compression is built up progressively through layers 2, 3, and 4.

Profore 1 vs Other Profore System Padding

In the complete Profore system, Profore 1 is the primary padding layer. In reduced compression systems such as Profore Lite, the padding function is performed by a different layer within that system. Profore 1 is specifically the padding component of the full high compression Profore system. It is available individually for clinicians who need to replace a single component of the system or who purchase system components separately.

Profore 1 Padding Bandage does not require a prescription. The 10cm x 3.5m bandage is available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on Profore 1 and on the complete Profore system components available from the Smith & Nephew range.

Profore 1 is a clinical component used within a supervised compression dressing system. ABPI assessment and clinical oversight of compression therapy precede its use as part of the complete system.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25 degrees C.
• Keep in original packaging until use.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. Profore 1 Padding Bandage is a genuine Smith & Nephew product stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on Profore 1 and on the complete range of Profore system components for venous leg ulcer compression therapy.

References

1. Smith & Nephew. Profore 1 Padding Bandage — Product Information. Smith & Nephew. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Chronic wounds: advanced wound dressings and antimicrobial dressings. NICE Evidence Review. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.
3. NHS. Venous leg ulcer: treatment and compression therapy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leg-ulcer. Accessed June 2026.
4. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Compression hosiery. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed June 2026.