For bruises and sprains, it is recommended to use an elastic bandage. It helps to reliably fix the problem area and reduce the risk of unwanted effects on the injured area.
Instructions
Step 1
Elastic bandages are convenient in that they do not stretch or deform, unlike gauze. Therefore, the bandage does not slip and, due to its structure, provides the desired fixation. Another advantage is the reusability of such a bandage.
Step 2
When purchasing an elastic bandage, you should determine the required degree of elongation. For post-traumatic dressing, a high or medium stretch dressing is required. For preventive purposes, it is better to use a bandage of low elongation. Different body parts may need different bandage lengths:
- wrist joint - 1-1.5 m;
- ankle joint - 2 m;
- knee joint - 3 m;
- elbow joint - 2-2.5 m.
Step 3
When fixing an elastic bandage, certain rules should be taken into account. Overlay should be done from bottom to top. Apply the bandage evenly to avoid wrinkling. It will be more convenient to bandage by unwinding the tape outward. Moreover, each subsequent turn should overlap the previous one by a third so as to prevent gaps between the turns. Finally, secure the edge of the bandage with a safety pin.
Step 4
You also need to know that when ligating the wrist joint, an elastic bandage must be applied, starting from the point from the fingers of the hand and ending with the middle of the forearm. The elbow joint is bandaged from the middle of the forearm to the middle of the shoulder. The ankle joint must be bandaged from the toes to the middle of the lower leg. In the case of a knee problem, start at the middle of the lower leg and end at the middle of the thigh.
Step 5
Applying a bandage, you should not pinch the vessels - this can disrupt blood circulation and cause unwanted edema. If numbness appears in the fingers after dressing and pulsation is felt under the dressing, it must be removed and a light massage of this limb is done. In case of injuries, it is recommended to use a bandage only during moments of activity. After that, the elastic bandage should be removed.
