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
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Discomfort
Wound contamination
Prolonged healing
Bandaging Materials
Gauze
Elastic bandages
 Sterile pads for wounds
 Extensible and very useful with
 Roller bandages to hold
sports
 Active bandages allowing for
movement
 Provide support and compression
for wound healing
dressings in place
 Padding to prevent
blisters
Cotton cloth
 Ankle wraps
Cohesive elastic bandage
 Triangular bandages
 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Longitudinal and vertical fibers per inch
 cost =  fibers
 Adhesive Mass
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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
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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
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No oil, perspiration, or dirt
 Hair should be removed
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Prevents skin irritation upon tape removal
 Tape adherent is optional
 Foam and skin lubricant should be used to
minimize blisters and skin irritation
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Heel and lace pads
Proper Taping Technique
 Tape directly to skin
 Prewrap may be used
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Helps protect skin in cases where tape is used
daily
 Only one layer of prewrap should be applied
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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
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Acute angles require narrower tape
 Tearing tape
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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
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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
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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
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Altered sensation
Altered circulation
Tape Removal
 Tape may be removed by hand
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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
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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
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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
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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