1. Bandaging and Taping Techniques

2. Reasons to Bandage and Tape
Injury prevention
Provide compression to minimize swelling
Provide additional support to an injured structure
Decreases range of motion (ROM)

3. Should never be used as a substitute for rehabilitation
Bandaging and Taping
Should never be used as a substitute for rehabilitation
Rehab must be done to correct the problem and strengthen the area

4. Today and tomorrow… BANDAGING!  Later this week… TAPING! 

5. Elastic Bandages Reasons to use elastic bandage (Ace wrap)
Compression of acute injuries – limit swelling
Secure dressing/pad or ice pack
Provide support to injured soft tissue structure

6. Length and width of bandages vary
Lengths
Single (5 or 6 yds)
Double (10 yds)
Widths – 2”, 4”, 6”

7. Elastic Bandage Application
Pressure and tension should be even
Body part should be flexed when wrapped
Keeps wrap from being too tight
Check circulation
signs that it is too tight: cold extremities, blue fingers/toes, and tingling

8. Elastic Bandage Application
Create an anchor: “dog ear” the first corner - corner should stick out 2-3 inches and fold it down over the bandage and cover it with next wrap

9. Elastic Bandage Application
When wrapping to prevent swelling:
Wrap distal to proximal “Push” the swelling towards the heart
Overlap the bandage about ½ way each time
Leave no gaps!
Swelling will find its way to the gaps!

10. Types of Wraps: Ankle and foot spica Spiral Compression
Compression with X
Hip spica
Groin
Hip flexor
Shoulder spica
Elbow figure-eight
Hand and wrist figure-eight

11. How can we prevent this swelling following an ankle injury?!

12. Spiral Compression Wrap
Uses: Prevent Swelling
Steps:
Start distalproximal: “Pushing” swelling towards the heart
If wrap is long, wrap back down toward starting point
Hold end of wrap in place with tape
Can use a foam or felt horseshoe pad underneath compression wrap to increase compression on area of swelling

13. How can we support this muscle strain?!

14. Compression Wrap with X’s
Uses: Support muscle strain (calf, quad, hamstring)
Steps:
Anchor distally at smallest part
Create X’s over the muscle strain by making the wrap go up and then down
Use tape to hold end of wrap in place
Can put a piece of rolled tape between skin and bandage to hold in place

15. How can we stabilize an injured joint?!

16. Elbow Figure 8 Uses: Stabilize elbow joint
Position: elbow flexed degrees and biceps flexed
Steps:
Anchor: wrap around the forearm 1-2 times
Wrap diagonally upward across the front of the elbow; wrap 1 ½ times around the upper arm
Wrap diagonally downward across the front of the elbow and 1 ½ times around the forearm
Repeat; overlap the bandage each time moving more proximal each time

17. Hand/Fingers Figure 8 Uses: Stabilize wrist/hand Steps:
Anchor: wrap around the palm 1-2 times
Wrap diagonally across the hand and around the wrist
Wrap diagonally across the hand and back around the palm
Repeat as many times as needed

18. Spica:
a bandage wrapped in a figure-eight pattern with one of the loops being larger than the other:
Ankle/foot spica
Hip spica
Shoulder spica

19. Ankle/Foot Spica
Uses: compression, hold pad or dressing, stabilization
Size: 2- or 3-inch wrap (single)
Position: sitting with foot extended over table edge
Steps:
Anchor at metatarsal arch
Across instep (top of foot), around heel, back to start
Repeat several times & overlap bandage about ½ way moving up the foot and toward the calf

20. Hip Spica – Hip Flexor Strain
Uses: Supports hip flexor strain – helps lift the leg
Size: 6-inch wrap (double length)
Position: stand with weight on other leg, injured leg relaxed, slightly externally rotated and flexed
Steps:
Anchor: start at top of thigh and wrap laterally around thigh and back to start
Pull the wrap “up and out,” go behind the back and around the abdomen staying below the belly button
Go across the anterior (front) of the thigh and repeat the same pattern
Secure the elastic wrap with tape
Watch Video
Remember
pull “up and out” because
it helps pull the leg up.

21. Hip Spica – Groin Strain
Uses: Supports groin and adductor muscles – helps move the leg medially
Size: 6-inch wrap (double length)
Position: stand with weight on other leg, injured leg relaxed and internally rotated
Steps:
Anchor: start at top of thigh and wrap medially (toward middle) and around thigh and back to start
Pull wrap across the abdomen and over iliac crest on opposite side
Go around the back and then down and “in” across the front of the thigh toward the groin. Repeat the pattern
Secure the elastic wrap with tape
Watch video
Remember
pull “in” because
the groin moves the leg in
to the middle

22. Shoulder Spica – to prevent external rotation
Uses: Supports muscles and joint
Size: 6-inch wrap (double length)
Position: standing in “tea pot” position
Steps:
Anchor: wrap 1 time around the upper arm – roll is going in toward the chest
Pull wrap across the chest, under the unaffected arm, & across the back to the shoulder
After crossing the top shoulder, go around the front or anterior side of the arm to the starting point and repeat
Secure the elastic wrap with tape
Flex Bicep muscle and take deep breath so it won’t be too tight
Watch Video