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

Bandaging
Contributes to recovery of injuries
Must be firmly applied while still allowing

circulation
When applied incorrectly may cause
Discomfort
Wound contamination
Prolonged healing

Bandaging Materials
Gauze

Elastic bandages

Sterile pads for wounds

Roller bandages to hold

Extensible and very useful with

dressings in place
Padding to prevent
blisters

Cotton cloth
Ankle wraps
Triangular bandages

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

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

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

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

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

Triangle Bandages
First aid device
Application is easy and fast
Primarily used for slings

Cervical arm sling

Shoulder arm sling
Sling and swathe

Cervical Arm Sling

Provides support for forearm, wrist, and

hand injuries
Bandage placed around neck and under
bent arm to be supported

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

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

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

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

Taping: Injury Protection

Used to prevent acute injuries
Limits motion
Secures special device

Brace
Splint
Soft Cast
Padding

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

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

When purchasing non-elastic white

tape, consider the following:
Winding Tension

Critically important for even application

If applied for protection, tension must be even

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Common Foot Taping

Procedures

Arch Technique 1
Function: to support

weak arches

Arch Technique 2
Function: to support

the longitudinal arch

Arch Technique 3
X teardrop method
Function: to support

longitudinal arch and

forefoot

Arch Technique 4

Fan method
Function: to support the longitudinal arch

LowDye Taping Technique

(

Function: to support

longitudinal arch and

forefoot
Used to support:
Fallen arches
Forefoot
pronation
Arch strains
Plantar facitis

Taping for Sprained Toes

Function: to support

metatarsophalangeal
joint

Bunion Taping

Turf Toe Taping

Function: to prevent

excessive
hyperextension of
metatarsophalangeal
joint

Taping Hammer or Clawed Toes

Function: to reduce

pressure of bent toes

against shoes

Taping for Fractured Toes

Function: to splint injured

toe to non-injured toe

Common Ankle Taping

Procedures

Routine Prophylactic Taping

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

Closed Basket Weave Technique

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

Open Basket Weave Technique

Continuous Stretch-Tape
Technique

Common Leg & Knee

Taping Procedures

Achilles Tendon Taping

Function: to prevent over-stretching of achilles

Collateral Ligament
Taping
Function: to provide joint

stability following injury

to the MCL or LCL
ligaments

Rotary Taping for Knee Joint

Instability
Function: to provide joint stability

following injury to the ACL and MCL

Knee Hyperextension Taping

Functions:

To prevent knee
hyperextension
To provide
support for
hamstrings and
cruciate
ligaments
following injury

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

Common Upper
Extremity Taping
Procedures

Elbow Taping
Function: to prevent

elbow hyperextension

Wrist Technique 1
Function: to provide

support to the wrist

following mild wrist
sprains and strains

Wrist Technique 2
Function: to protect and stabilize a

badly injured wrist

Bruised Hand Taping

Function: to

protect the
hand following
injury

Thumb Taping
Function: to provides

support for the thumb

joint following a sprain
injury

Finger and Thumb Checkreins