ELASTIC WRAPS Ch. 8 Pages 187-190

ANKLE: (to control edema/effusion) 3 or 4 inch wrap

  • start at toes
  • start at distal part of foot and wrap proximally up the leg when trying to control edema/effusion .
  • proper tension - graduate tension; a little tighter distally than proximally.
  • horseshoe application - should cover peri-malleolar region.
  • spiral wrap with complete closure - cover all areas of skin.
  • appearance.(no wrinkles, area covered, etc.)

THIGH: (to control edema) 6 inch single or 4-6 inch double length wrap

  • start distal
  • place pressure pad directly over injury site.
  • use a spiral pattern X-ing up the leg overlapping each turn by 1/2 width of wrap.
  • proper tension
  • complete closure
  • appearance

SHOULDER SPICA: (to hold pad/ice pack in place; mild support to A.C. or G.H. jts.) double length 4 or 6 inch wrap

  • interlock wrap with about 2 revolutions around upper arm with the athlete contracting biceps to prevent blood flow constriction. Do not wrap up into the axilla.
  • A.C. Spica: bring wrap up over the AC joint and around the back first if supporting the AC joint. Cross under the opposite arm keeping wrap beneath axilla.
  • cross around the front of injured shoulder and criss-cross on top of the AC joint aiming towards the back of the arm. Continue wrap around upper arm.
  • repeat sequence until near the end of the wrap.
  • end wrap around upper arm.
  • G.H. Spica: Anchor around arm and wrap across chest first and keeping wrap off of AC joint (keep wrap around upper arm) for GH joint support. Cross under the opposite arm keeping wrap beneath axilla.
  • cross around the back of injured shoulder and criss-cross on the lateral aspect of upper arm. Continue revolution around upper arm.
  • repeat sequence until near the end of the wrap.
  • end wrap around the upper arm.
  • proper tension; be careful not to get too tight around biceps area.
  • appearance
  • wrap placement

HIP SPICA: ( mild support for hip flexor/add. or proximal hamstring/hip extensor strain) double length 4 or 6 inch wrap

  • NOTE: *cross the front (abdomen) first for a HIP FLEXOR or ADDUCTOR strain with involved hip slightly flexed.
  • NOTE: *cross the back first for proximal HAMSTRING or HIP EXTENSOR strain with hip in neutral or slight extension.
  • wrap around proximal thigh first.
  • cross around front of waist(or back).
  • proper cross on opposite hip (top edge wrap at top edge iliac crest)
  • cross the back (or front)
  • proper criss-cross. wrap over injury site.
  • back down around thigh.
  • proper tension (too tight and blood flow restricted & too loose wrap slides down)

appearance