Chapter 21

Taping and Wrapping

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Uses of Tape for Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries• Closing lacerations• Preventing blisters on areas of skin

exposed to repeated friction• Holding bandages, pads, dressings and

splinting devices into place• Securing splints for small fractures

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Uses of Tape for Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries

• Supporting bony anatomy and relieving stress on supportive soft tissue

• Restricting motion to support and eliminate stress on ligaments

• Restriction of motion and compression– Support muscle, tendon or stress injuries

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The Safe and Proper Use of Athletic Adhesive Tapes

• Prophylactic strapping of ankle– Greatest single use of adhesive tape

• Tape must be applied with ease, speed, and consistency

• Tape must afford protection and stability to the part being strapped

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Warning!• If pain or soreness doesn’t decrease or

go away– Further evaluation and diagnosis will be

needed– Adequate circulation is crucial

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Warning!• If extremity changes color or starts to

get cold– Taping or wrapping is probably too tight

and must be redone to the athlete’s recommendations

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Taping Guidelines• Taping is best directly on shaved skin• Prevent irritated skin

– Use underwrap and skin adherent prior to taping

• Make sure the athlete is not allergic to the tape or skin adherent

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Taping Guidelines• Area to be taped should be clean and

dry• Any oil on the skin should be removed• Cover all cuts and blisters with an

adhesive bandage containing some type of skin lubricant

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Taping Guidelines• Skin lubricant and foam padding

– Should be applied on any friction or pressure areas before applying underwrap

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Problems for the Inexperienced Taper

• When tape folds over– Difficult to tear at the fold– Use scissors or tear the tape at a fresh

edge– Turning corners over irregular anatomy can

be a challenge

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Problems for the Inexperienced Taper

• Keeping tape smooth and wrinkle-free can be difficult

• Inexperience can lead to the tape being too loose or too tight

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Removal of Adhesive Tape• Use bandage scissors or a special tape

cutter • Lubricant on the blunt edge of the

scissors or cutter – Allows it to slide under the edge of the tape

• Move scissors along natural channels– Avoid bony prominences

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Removal of Adhesive Tape• Careful observation while removing tape

– Allows trainer to stop if there appears to be evidence of blistering or skin being pulled off with the tape

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Most Common Areas for Taping

• Trainer will stabilize these areas most often by strapping or taping

• Require much practice– Basic ankle strapping– Combination elastic and non-elastic tape

ankle strapping– Lower tibia taping

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Most Common Areas for Taping

• Turf toe strapping• Arch taping• Basic knee strapping• Achilles tendon taping• Elbow taping• Wrist strapping

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Most Common Areas for Taping

• Simple thumb taping• Basic ankle wrapping• Calf and knee wrapping• Calf wrap• Knee wrap• Wrapping the thigh, groin and back• Hamstring/quadriceps wrap

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Most Common Areas for Taping

• Wrapping of elbow, hand, and thumb• Finger taping• Restriction of thumb flexion, extension,

and abduction• Applying moleskin