Bandaging and TapingBritni Racus MS, ATC, LAT, CSCS, PES

History of Taping and Bandaging

• Routinely used by ATC• Used to minimize swelling, provide support to injured areas and

prevent injury• While techniques are not difficult to master, trained professional

should apply• Requires solid background in anatomy and biomechanics

Bandaging

• Will contribute to recovery of injuries• When applied incorrectly may cause discomfort, wound

contamination and hamper healing• Must be firmly applied while still allowing circulation• Used to cover open wounds, secure compressive/protective pads and

provide support

Materials

• Gauze• Sterile pads for wounds, hold dressings in place (roller bandage) or padding

for prevention of blisters

• Cotton cloth• Ankle wraps or triangular bandages

• Elastic bandages• Extensible and very useful with sports; active bandages allowing movement;

can provide support and compression for wound healing

• Cohesive elastic bandages• Exerts constant even pressure; 2 layer bandage that is self adhering

Elastic Bandages

• Gauze, cotton cloth or elastic wrapping• Length and width vary and are used according to body part and size• Sizes range from 2”, 3”, 4” and 6” width and 5 (single) or 10 (double)

yard lengths• Should be rolled when stored• Bandage selected should be free from wrinkles, seams and

imperfections that could cause irritation

Elastic Bandage Application

• Hold bandage in preferred hand with loose end extending from bottom of roll• Back surface of loose end should

lap on skin surface• Pressure and tension should be

same throughout the wrap• Usual application involves

overlapping wrap• Start application at smallest part

of limb

• Body part should be wrapped in position of maximum contraction• More turns with moderate

tension vs. fewer turns with maximum tension• Each turn should overlap by half

to prevent separation• Circulation should be monitored

when limbs are wrapped.

Elastic Bandage Wraps We Will Learn:• Acute Ankle Compression• Quadriceps and Hamstring Wraps• Groin and Hip Flexor Wrap• Shoulder Spica

Triangular Bandages

• Cotton cloth that can be substituted if roller bandages not available• First aid device, due to ease and speed of application• Primarily used for arm slings• Shoulder arm sling• Sling and swathe

Taping Basics and Techniques

Non-elastic and Elastic Adhesive Taping• Historically an important part of athletic training• Becoming decreasingly important due to questions surfacing

concerning effectiveness• Utilized in areas of injury care and protection

Non-Elastic White Tape

• Great adaptability due to:• Uniform adhesive mass• Adhering qualities• Lightness• Relative strength

• Help to hold dressings and provide support and protection to injured areas• Come in variety of sizes ( ½”, 1”, 1 ½”, 2”)

Elastic Adhesive Tape

• Used in combination with non-elastic tape• Good for small, angular parts due to elasticity as well as soft tissues

that expand.• Comes in a variety of widths (1”, 2”, 3”, 4”)

Adhesive Tape: Preparation for Taping• Skin surface should be cleaned of lotion, sweat and dirt• Hair should be removed to prevent skin irritation with tape removal• Tape adherent is optional• Foam and skin lubricant should be used to minimize blisters and skin

irritation.• Tape directly to skin• Pre-wrap can be used to protect skin in cases where tape is used daily

Rules for Tape Application

• Tape in the position in which joint must be stabilized• Overlap the tape by half• Avoid continuous taping• Keep tape roll in hand whenever possible• Smooth and mold tape as it is laid down on skin (Don’t force it)• Allow tape to follow contours of the skin• Start taping with an anchor piece and finish by applying a locking

strip

Tape Ins and Outs

• Selecting proper tape width• Tape width used dependent on area• Acute angles = narrower tape

• Tearing tape• Various techniques can be used but should always allow the ATC to hold on to

the roll of tape• Do not bend, twist and wrinkle tape• Tearing should result in straight edge with no loose strands• Some tapes may require cutting agents

Taping Techniques We Will Learn

• Low Dye Arch Taping• Turf Toe Taping• Closed Basket Weave Taping• MCL Taping• Elbow Hyperextension Taping• Wrist Hyperextension Taping• Thumb Spica Taping

Low Dye Arch Taping

• QDA spray bottom of foot• Anchor strip over heads of metatarsals• 1 to 5, 2 to 4, 3 to 3.• Locking strips, always lateral to medial• Cover with cohesive elastic wrap

Turf Toe Taping

• QDA spray on bottom and top of foot• Anchor around the big toe and anchor around bottom of foot• At least four strips from one anchor to another• Go back over anchor strips so they become locking strips

Closed Basket Weave Taping

• QDA the foot, ankle and up to the calf• Apply heel and lace pads• Apply the pre-wrap only 1 or 2

layers thick

• Apply 3 anchors on the calf• Apply 1 anchor on the foot• Apply 3 stirrups• Apply 3 horseshoes• Two heel locks (one in each

directions)• One figure 8• Closure/Locking Strips

MCL Taping

• Spray both front and back of knee with QDA• Apply pre-wrap from calf up to 4 inches above knee• Apply 2 anchor on both calf and thigh• Apply 3 X’s and apply 3 vertical strips• Apply two de-rotation strips (one in each direction)• Cover with cohesive elastic wrap• Closure strips

Elbow Hyperextension Taping

• Spray both front and back with QDA• Apply pre-wrap 3” below and 3” above the elbow• Apply 2 anchor strips both below and above the elbow• Make the fan check-rein with three strips of tape• Apply the check-rein and lock it with 1 strip of tape both above and

below.• Cover with cohesive elastic wrap

Wrist Hyperextension Taping

• Spray both sides of hand and wrist with QDA• Apply pre-wrap to hand• Apply 2 anchor strips to wrist, and 1 to the hand• Apply fan check-rein to palm side of hand• Lock the strips• Apply 2 figure 8’s• Apply 2 locking strips to wrist and 1 to the hand

Thumb Taping

• Spray wrist and thumb with QDA• Apply pre-wrap to hand and thumb• Apply 2 anchors to wrist• Apply 3 spicas around the thumb (starting on the back of hand and

ending on the palm)• Apply 2 check-reins on top of thumb• Apply 2 locking strips to close