1. Chapter 8: Bandaging and Taping
Jennifer L. Doherty, MS, LAT, ATC
Academic Program Director, Entry-Level ATEP
Florida International University
Acute Care and Injury Prevention

2. Bandaging Contributes to recovery of injuries
Must be firmly applied while still allowing circulation
When applied incorrectly may cause
Discomfort
Wound contamination
Prolonged healing

3. Bandaging Materials Gauze Cotton cloth Elastic bandages
Sterile pads for wounds
Roller bandages to hold dressings in place
Padding to prevent blisters
Cotton cloth
Ankle wraps
Triangular bandages
Elastic bandages
Extensible and very useful with sports
Active bandages allowing for movement
Provide support and compression for wound healing
Cohesive elastic bandage
Two-layer, self adhering bandage
Exerts constant and even pressure

4. Elastic Bandages Gauze, cotton cloth, or elastic wrapping
Length and width vary and are used according to body part and size
Length: 6 or 10 yards
Widths: 2, 3, 4, or 6 inches
Should be stored rolled
Should be free from wrinkles, seams, and imperfections that could cause irritation

5. Elastic Bandage Application
Hold bandage in preferred hand
Loose end should extend from bottom of roll
Back surface of loose end should lay directly on skin surface
Pressure and tension should be standardized
Anchors are created by overlapping wrap
Start anchor at smallest circumference of limb

6. Elastic Bandage Application
Body part should be wrapped in position of maximum contraction
Each turn should overlap by half to prevent separation
More turns with moderate tension
Fewer turns with maximum tension
Circulation should be monitored

7. Elastic bandages may be used to provide support for a variety scenarios:
Ankle and foot spica
Spiral bandage (spica)
Groin support
Shoulder spica
Elbow figure-eight
Gauze hand and wrist figure-eight
Cloth ankle wrap

8. Triangle Bandages First aid device Application is easy and fast
Primarily used for slings
Cervical arm sling
Shoulder arm sling
Sling and swathe

9. Cervical Arm Sling
Provides support for forearm, wrist, and hand injuries
Bandage placed around neck and under bent arm to be supported

10. Shoulder Arm Sling Utilized following injury to the shoulder girdle
Provides support for the forearm
May be used if the cervical arm sling is causing irritation

11. Sling and Swathe Combination of cervical and shoulder arm slings
Provides support for the upper extremity
Used in instances of
Shoulder dislocations
Upper extremity fractures

12. Taping Historically an important part of athletic training profession
Becoming less important due to questions regarding its effectiveness
Utilized in areas of…
Injury care
Injury protection

13. Taping: Injury Care Retention of wound dressing
Stabilization of compression bandages utilized to control internal and external bleeding
Support for recent injuries in an effort to prevent additional trauma
Provide stabilization during rehabilitation

14. Taping: Injury Protection
Used to prevent acute injuries
Limits motion
Secures special device
Brace
Splint
Soft Cast
Padding

15. Non-Elastic White Tape
Great adaptability due to:
Adhesive mass
Adhering qualities
Lightness
Relative strength
Available in varied sizes: 1”, 1.5”, 2”
Utilized to…
Hold dressings in place
Provide support to a joint
Protect injured areas

16. When purchasing non-elastic white tape, consider the following:
Tape Grade
Longitudinal and vertical fibers per inch
 cost =  fibers
Adhesive Mass
Should adhere evenly
Should maintain adhesion with perspiration
Should contain few skin irritants
Should be easily removed without leaving residue and without removing superficial skin

17. When purchasing non-elastic white tape, consider the following:
Winding Tension
Critically important for even application
If applied for protection, tension must be even

18. Elastic Tape Used in combination with non-elastic tape
Good for small, angular body parts
Available in varied sizes: 1”, 2”, 3”, 4”

19. Preparation for Taping
Skin surface should be clean
No oil, perspiration, or dirt
Hair should be removed
Prevents skin irritation upon tape removal
Tape adherent is optional
Foam and skin lubricant should be used to minimize blisters and skin irritation
Heel and lace pads

20. Proper Taping Technique
Tape directly to skin
Prewrap may be used
Helps protect skin in cases where tape is used daily
Only one layer of prewrap should be applied
Too much prewrap causes irritation and loosens the tape job
Prewrap must be anchored proximally and distally

21. Proper Taping Technique
Select tape width based on area to be taped
Acute angles require narrower tape
Tearing tape
Should always hold on to roll of tape
Do not bend, twist, or wrinkle tape
Tear a straight edge with no loose strands
Some tapes may require cutting agents

23. Proper Taping Technique
Tape joint in proper position
Position for stabilization
Overlap the tape by half
Avoid continuous taping
Keep tape roll in hand whenever possible
Allow tape to follow contours of the skin
Smooth and mold tape as it is laid down on skin

24. Proper Taping Technique
Always start taping with anchors
Always finish taping with locking strips
Where maximum support is desired, tape directly to the skin
Do not apply tape if skin is hot or cold from treatments
Altered sensation
Altered circulation

25. Tape Removal Tape may be removed by hand
Always pull tape in direct line with body
One hand pulls tape while other hand presses skin in opposite direction
Tape scissors/cutters may be required
Be sure not to aggravate injured area with cutting device
Tape may also be removed with chemical solvents

26. Common Foot Taping Procedures

27. Arch Technique 1
Function: to support weak arches

28. Arch Technique 2
Function: to support the longitudinal arch

29. Arch Technique 3 X teardrop method
Function: to support longitudinal arch and forefoot

30. Arch Technique 4
Fan method
Function: to support the longitudinal arch

31. LowDye Taping Technique (
Function: to support longitudinal arch and forefoot
Used to support:
Fallen arches
Forefoot pronation
Arch strains
Plantar facitis

32. Taping for Sprained Toes
Function: to support metatarsophalangeal joint

33. Bunion Taping

34. Turf Toe Taping
Function: to prevent excessive hyperextension of metatarsophalangeal joint

35. Taping Hammer or Clawed Toes
Function: to reduce pressure of bent toes against shoes

36. Taping for Fractured Toes
Function: to splint injured toe to non-injured toe

37. Common Ankle Taping Procedures

38. Routine Prophylactic Taping

39. Closed Basket Weave Function: to minimize ankle motion
Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion
Inversion and Eversion
Used to support newly sprained or chronically weak ankles
U-shaped felt pad can be used to provide focal compression
Aids in controlling swelling

40. Closed Basket Weave Technique

41. Open Basket Weave Function: to minimize ankle motion
Allows more dorsiflexion and plantarflexion
Minimizes inversion and eversion
Used to support newly sprained ankles allowing room for swelling
Used with elastic bandage and cold application
U-shaped felt pad can be used to provide focal compression
Aids in controlling swelling

42. Open Basket Weave Technique

43. Continuous Stretch-Tape Technique

44. Common Leg & Knee Taping Procedures

45. Achilles Tendon Taping
Function: to prevent over-stretching of achilles

46. Collateral Ligament Taping
Function: to provide joint stability following injury to the MCL or LCL ligaments

47. Rotary Taping for Knee Joint Instability
Function: to provide joint stability following injury to the ACL and MCL

48. Knee Hyperextension Taping
Functions:
To prevent knee hyperextension
To provide support for hamstrings and cruciate ligaments following injury

49. Patellofemoral Taping
McConnell Technique
Function: to manage glide, tilt, rotation, and anteroposterior orientation of patella
Accomplished by passively taping patella into biomechanically correct position
Also provides prolonged stretch to soft-tissue structures associated with dysfunction

51. Common Upper Extremity Taping Procedures

52. Elbow Taping
Function: to prevent elbow hyperextension

53. Wrist Technique 1
Function: to provide support to the wrist following mild wrist sprains and strains

54. Wrist Technique 2
Function: to protect and stabilize a badly injured wrist

55. Bruised Hand Taping
Function: to protect the hand following injury

56. Thumb Taping
Function: to provides support for the thumb joint following a sprain injury

57. Finger and Thumb Checkreins