Medical textiles is a growing area due to the ageing population. With the increased number of ageing individuals, disorders like bedsores and incontinence are becoming more frequent. Individuals having limited mobility or being completely bedbound are supported by interfaces such as mattresses and cushions, so-called patient support surfaces. In these conditions pressure and shear forces can cause damage to the skin and soft tissues resulting chronic wound named pressure ulcers. 

As the world's population ages, the number of people with reduced mobility is increasing. Individuals with reduced mobility or who are completely bedridden are supported by mattresses and cushions, known as patient support surfaces. The purpose of these support surfaces is to reduce pressure and shear stress on the skin and underlying tissues to prevent pressure ulcers. Although mechanical forces are the primary cause of pressure ulcers, moisture is a critical but often overlooked factor that contributes to skin breakdown. Therefore, controlling humidity between the skin and the support surface is crucial to prevent pressure ulcers. This study investigates how knitted textiles can act as effective barriers for moisture management at the skin-support interface. The study focuses on knitted fabrics with varying yarn densities. These fabrics are evaluated using WickView, a promising machine-based testing method that does not yet have widespread documented use. Its advanced imaging system enables real-time visualization and measurement of moisture distribution across different textile surfaces. The study highlights the differences in transverse and in-plane wetting between the knitted fabrics as well as the advantages and limitations of WickView as a moisture management evaluation method. Findings from this work contribute to the development of medical textiles and support ongoing efforts in pressure ulcer prevention, with implications for both academic research and clinical practice.