How to properly tie an elastic bandage on your knee. Applying a tight bandage to the knee

The application of a compression bandage is used for many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and blood vessels. Therefore, almost every person has an elastic bandage in their home medicine cabinet.

It is used for arthrosis, injuries, varicose veins. Especially often, an elastic bandage is applied to the knee and other joints to prevent injuries and reduce stress.

Some people use it often, for any pain. This simple technique has a high therapeutic effect, helping to prevent complications after injuries and protecting joints under increased loads.

But for such bandaging to be beneficial, you need to know its features and the rules for winding the bandage.

Features of elastic bandages

Applying bandages to speed up wound healing has been used by humans for a long time. But gauze bandages, which can be sterile or not, appeared only in the 19th century.

They are disposable, quickly stretch and lose their properties.

Now there are many different medical bandages: elastic, gauze, tubular, plaster, compression, mesh, sports and others. They have different purposes and purposes of use.

There is a reusable dressing material that is applied to intact skin. It is used to protect joints, ligaments and improve blood circulation.

At first, the elastic bandage was knitted. It stretched a little, so its impact was not strong.

Only in the 20th century, with the advent of latex-based rubber thread production technology, the familiar elastic bandages appeared. They are now sold under different names, such as compression bandage or pressure garter.

These devices are made of elastic threads coated with cotton, so they are breathable and absorb sweat.

There are three types of elastic bandages depending on their stretchability. Their varieties with low and medium elasticity, which stretch up to 140-150% of their length, are used for vascular disease.

First-class dressing material with a stretch of up to 70% is convenient to use immediately after an injury for fixation additional funds protection. Medium elastic varieties can also be used after the plaster has been removed. Highly elastic bandages are more functional.

They stretch over 150%. When bandaging the knee, they are most often used.

Bandages come in different degrees of elasticity, length and width.

When choosing such a compression bandage, you also need to pay attention to its length and width.

For knee joints, the optimal option is 10-12 cm wide, and how long it will be depends on the purpose of the bandage and the method of its application. The remaining parameters are not so significant.

For example, bandages of unusual colors and with different impregnations appeared on sale. They are more expensive than usual, although this does not affect their functionality.

Therefore, you can purchase the simplest bandage, which is available in any pharmacy. It usually costs no more than 100 rubles. But athletes can pay attention to special compression bandages, for example, Titan or Inzer. They are designed for professional sports.

When purchasing, you should also pay attention to how to secure the bandage on the knee. More expensive bandages have special hooks or Velcro.

There are also options in which one side has an adhesive coating.

But ordinary bandages do not have this, so you also need a pin to secure the end of the bandage.

An elastic bandage is applied for various pathologies of the knee joint

Indications for use

Don't just wrap your knee with an elastic bandage. It is best if such a procedure is prescribed by a doctor.

Indications for the use of bandaging may include arthrosis, sprained ligaments, joint dislocation, meniscus damage, and inflammatory processes.

A bandage is also applied after operations, for example, arthroscopy, if it is necessary to remain in bed for a long time or during pregnancy to protect the knee joints from increased stress.

Rehabilitation after injuries requires mandatory use therapeutic exercises. To reduce pain, proper distribution of the load and protection of the joint from damage before performing exercises, the knee must be bandaged.

To prevent injury, a knee bandage is used for sports. It is especially often used by athletes who run, jump or weightlift. An elastic bandage holds all parts of the joint in place. correct position.

This helps protect the knee joints from injury and helps maintain their health during physical activity.

In addition to athletes, such bandages are used by loaders, builders, installers and representatives of other professions associated with increased loads on the knees.

Contraindications

Wrapping the knee joint with an elastic bandage is not always beneficial. There are conditions in which this procedure is contraindicated. After all, it can impair blood circulation, so some vascular pathologies can worsen.

  • diabetes mellitus with trophic vascular lesions;
  • atherosclerosis, endarteritis and other pathologies leading to the closure of the lumen of the arteries;
  • lesions of the skin of an inflammatory or infectious nature.

Elastic bandage improves muscle tone, improves blood circulation and helps prevent injury

Useful action

A correctly applied elastic bandage has many beneficial properties.

First of all, due to the fact that its pressure below the knee joint is greater, the venous outflow from lower limbs, which prevents the development stagnation and swelling.

The same effect protects the walls of the veins and increases their tone. This prevents the development of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.

The bandage also has warming properties, so it is used for various pathologies of the joint, after first smearing the knee with ointment. In addition, the pressure of the bandage increases muscle tone and improves blood circulation in the joint area.

The knees have a complex structure, the elements of the joint are quite mobile. Therefore, this place is most often subject to injury. During increased physical activity, an elastic bandage helps to fix the joint, preventing its damage.

It helps reduce the load on ligaments and tendons, tones muscles, and also improves blood circulation. Professional bandages for weightlifters work especially well in this direction: “Inzer”, “Titan”, “Metal Silver” and others.

They provide support and protection to the joint when squatting with heavy weights.

When applying such a bandage, you must follow the bandaging rules

How to bandage a knee

You need to bandage your knee immediately before physical activity. When playing sports, it is recommended to periodically remove the bandage to give the leg a rest and restore blood circulation.

If such a dressing is prescribed by a doctor after an injury or for joint pathologies, it is better to wrap the bandage in the morning, when there is still no swelling, and remove it in the evening.

During the bandaging procedure, the leg should be relaxed, the knee should be slightly bent.

You can apply an elastic bandage different ways. The simplest are the usual bandaging methods - circular, spica or spiral. But most often a “turtle” bandage is used for the knee joint. It can be done in two ways.

The first option is a converging bandage. Application of the bandage begins below the knee joint.

Perform two circles, then move to the area above the knee. So alternate two circles, each of which overlaps the next by more than half.

After some time, the rounds of the bandage are connected at the knee joint.

The second version of the tortoiseshell bandage is divergent. It starts in the middle of the knee. Each subsequent round is wound either above or below the joint.

Under the knee, the tension needs to be slightly increased to improve venous outflow.

You need to cross the bandage with inside kneecap, and the bandaging ends above the joint.

The bandaging technique is simple: the bandage needs to be held in right hand, and the unwinding end should be at the bottom. This will improve the tension of the bandage.

You need to unwind it gradually, right next to the skin. At the same time, it is stretched a little, increasing the tension under the knee.

After bandaging is completed, the end of the bandage must be secured with a pin or a special fastener.

A “turtle” bandage is often used to bandage the knee.

Bandaging rules

Before using this method, you need to know how to properly wrap your knee with an elastic bandage. If you do not follow the rules, such a procedure will bring harm, not benefit.

There are certain rules for bandaging. But the fact is that usually instructions are not included with the dressing material.

Therefore, you need to find it yourself or find out how to apply a bandage correctly from a doctor.

  • Bandaging should be done by slightly stretching the bandage;
  • it must be applied evenly, avoiding the formation of folds;
  • Compression should be increased in the middle of the joint and below the knee, above it the tension is weakened;
  • if you tie a bandage too tightly before physical activity, this can lead to damage to the internal surfaces of the joint due to their friction against each other;
  • each circle of bandage should overlap the previous one by 60-70%;
  • the bandage should cover the entire damaged area and a small space around it;
  • the bandaged knee should bend and straighten normally, albeit with a little effort;
  • after the procedure there should be no discomfort, skin numbness or tingling;
  • One bandage is not used for a long time, as it loses its properties.

When the joint is bandaged correctly, it retains its full range of motion, and the bandage does not slip. After the procedure, you need to check its tension. To do this, stick a finger under it.

If this cannot be done, and also if the toes begin to go numb or a feeling of crawling appears, then the bandage is applied very tightly.

In this case, it must be re-wound.

Elastic knee bandaging is useful for many pathologies. It's simple and affordable way restoring joint function and preventing complications. But when applying a bandage, it is necessary to follow certain rules and take into account the degree of elasticity of the bandage.

Source: http://MoyaSpina.ru/tovar/elastichnye-binty-kolen

Elastic knee bandage

Not only doctors, but also ordinary people whose task is to fix the knee joint structures should know how to properly bandage a knee with an elastic bandage.

Most often, bandaging is necessary for athletes involved in athletics and weightlifting. This precaution allows you to maintain healthy joints during long and difficult workouts.

Correct application of an elastic bandage will protect the joints from overload and avoid injury.

You should not use expensive bandages to fix your knee; they can be replaced with affordable products that also have a better fixation effect.

Elastic bandages, sold at every pharmacy kiosk, are ideal for this purpose.

It is necessary to apply an elastic bandage if you are injured and need to be fixed knee-joint so that he recovers faster, or if you are an athlete and are going to perform exercises with heavy loads on your joints.

Bandaging

There are many situations in life when a person needs fixation of the knee joint. It can be serious injuries joints or protecting them under heavy load.

The bandage on the knee joint should be applied so that it does not put pressure and does not disrupt the blood flow in the limb.

For this purpose, it is necessary to use a material that is not too tightly woven, otherwise squeezing of the tissues cannot be avoided.

When wearing a bandage for a long time, you can use a material with a stronger fixation, since the skin on the limb will “get used” to the bandage and a bandage with a weak weave will not have the desired effect.

Elastic material, which is sold in pharmacies, is the most economical option for protecting joint structures from stress, as well as for their rehabilitation and recovery from injuries.

The only disadvantage of such a bandage is that when worn for a long time, it begins to stretch and no longer performs its intended functions; for this reason, the dressing material must be replaced with a new one.

To ensure that the bandage on the knee joint is applied correctly, the following points must be observed:

  1. It is necessary to use a bandage to fix an injured joint or before a heavy workout.
  2. A stretched bandage cannot be used.
  3. From time to time, the lower limb should rest from the bandage.
  4. The bandage should not press or pinch the knee.

If everything is done correctly, then bandaging will only bring benefits and will allow the joints to recover faster or avoid injury during heavy physical activity.

Kinds

A bandage with low elasticity stretches by sixty percent of its length. It is used for varicose veins, lymphedema, venous insufficiency and post-thrombic disease.

A bandage with an average degree of elasticity stretches by seventy to one hundred and thirty percent of its length. They are used after surgical treatment of blood vessels of the lower extremities. This dressing material is also used for the risk of developing venous diseases.

A bandage with a high degree of elasticity is used to fix knee joints after injuries and when high loads on them to avoid damage.

It is prescribed by traumatologists and rehabilitation specialists who treat diseases of the knee joints.

Material with a different degree of elasticity is used very rarely in these cases.

Contraindications

Many patients, even with minor knee injuries, immediately try to bandage the joint with an elastic bandage, without even thinking that this procedure has contraindications, which are represented by the following ailments:

Benefit

Bandaging the knee joints can speed up the recovery process and is also an excellent preventive measure for those involved in weightlifting.

It is often necessary to apply an elastic bandage when the meniscus is damaged or torn. With the help of bandaging, you can eliminate algia and, accordingly, speed up the healing of damaged joint tissues.

The dressing material is made of cotton, so it has excellent stretch, holds the lower limb well, and allows moisture and air to pass through.

It is thanks to its properties that it began to be actively used in medicine, or more precisely, in rehabilitation for various injuries and diseases of the upper and lower extremities.

Usage

If you have suffered an injury to the knee joint and a specialist has prescribed the use of an elastic bandage, then you need to know how to bandage your knee with an elastic bandage so that the bandage does not put pressure and has a healing effect.

Preparation

Before applying a bandage to your knee, you need to purchase a bandage with the elastic characteristics you need. The dressing may be called a compression bandage, pressure bandage, or knee bandage.

Also, before purchasing it, ask your pharmacist about its distensibility characteristics. To ensure that the elastic bandage wrapped around the knee is well secured, it comes with special fasteners or there are Velcro on the edges of the material.

If there are no fasteners, you can use a regular pin.

Position

The bandaging technique will only be correct if the patient's lower limb is placed in the correct position.

In order to bandage your leg, you need to stretch it forward without straining.

The knee joint should be in a slightly bent position, but at the same time be in a relaxed state.

Bandage

The most effective bandage technique is the so-called turtle bandage. It involves winding the bandage in a converging and diverging position. You can see a detailed diagram of winding the bandage in the figure.

Convergent bandaging involves applying the first two turns below the joint, and the next two above the knee.

This is where the bandage will be fixed.

Divergent bandaging should begin from the middle of the knee joint, winding turns above and below the joint, alternating directions.

Regardless of which bandage technique you choose, you need to apply the bandage in such a way that:

  • The bandage moved back from the injured area by at least twenty centimeters.
  • Subsequent turns should overlap the previous ones by seventy percent.
  • Along the edges of the joint, the bandage should be looser, and towards the middle of the knee, it should be tightened more tightly.

Wearing a bandage should not lead to discomfort or pain. If algia occurs, you need to loosen the elastic material.

The bandage should not interfere with the motor activity of the knee joint, but it should also not allow it to slip.

If the bandage is loosely wound, it must be tightened by increasing the tension.

The bandage should fit snugly to the joint structure, without over-tightening or causing disruption of blood flow. If you can’t get your finger under the bandage, it needs to be loosened. Also, loosening should be done if the skin begins to change color, go numb and tingle.

Effect

If the elastic bandage is applied correctly to the knee, then it will have its own effect on different parts of the leg.

The maximum pressure will be at lower section knee joint, average towards the joint and the smallest in the upper femoral region.

Thanks to this pressure distribution, it is possible to create the “correct” blood flow.

The muscles under the bandage are toned all the time, which means that blood flow in the vascular network increases.

If the bandage is applied only to the knee joint structures, then fixation occurs only in the intra-articular elements, which allows them to maintain their correct position during loads on the joint.

Elastic compression material allows you to:

  1. Prevent sports injuries.
  2. Create pressure on the surface of the lower limb.
  3. Protect the venous network from stretching.
  4. Keep all elements of the joint in the correct position.
  5. Normalize blood flow and metabolic processes in tissues.
  6. Prevent the formation of blood clots.

Rehabilitation

Fixation of the knee joint is often used after surgery or injury.

The bandage is worn to fix the joint, dose loads on it and speed up the recovery process.

It is also used to distribute loads when performing therapeutic exercises for the gradual development of joint structures.

But in order for applying an elastic bandage to the knee to give the desired result and not lead to complications, it must be correctly fixed on the joint, then no problems will arise. If you are unable to fix your knee on your own, seek help from a doctor. Be healthy.

Source: https://nogi.guru/raznoe/lechebnye-procedury/bint-elastichnyj-na-koleno.html

Techniques for applying an elastic bandage to the knee

The bandage is used as a bandage for injuries to the knee joint.

The benefit is achieved through compression pressure in one plane, in which case the joint can move within a certain range.

Apply a bandage for traumatic lesions, for running, exercise gym, after knee surgery, with arthrosis e.

In all of the above cases, an elastic bandage prevents excessive mobility of bones and soft tissues in the joint. This prevents the damage from worsening, allows the tissue to heal, and the person can still perform daily household or sports activities.

This is especially true in the presence of joint ailments, old injuries, damage, and weakness of the ligamentous apparatus.

With the help of a bandage you can prevent injury or overload of the joint.

Learning to apply a bandage

There are many different techniques based on different degrees of tape attachment and ways of wrapping the leg. Different bandages can also be used. They are distinguished by length, width and level of stretch:

  • A low degree of stretching - about thirty percent, is used for problems with the veins of the leg and during first aid for traumatic injuries. Conveniently and securely fix the leg in the area of ​​injury.
  • The average degree of stretching is about one hundred percent, the main area of ​​use is varicose veins, trophic ulcers, rehabilitation after bone fractures. In the latter case, it is applied after removing the plaster cast or surgical intervention.
  • High degree of stretching - more than one hundred and fifty percent. Recommended after surgical interventions, serious leg injuries, treatment of bedridden patients, lymphedema of the limb.

Turtle type

The turtle knee bandage is the most common bandaging method. How to bandage a leg? On the left side and in the center of the joint, a bandage is wound towards the center (called a descending bandage).

The first turn is made above the knee around the leg, then the bandage is passed in the opposite direction.

We make five turns above the kneecap and the same number below. The crossing occurs under the knee. The last revolutions are recorded at the joint itself.

It is best to secure it with special fixing devices.

The second method of wrapping begins in the opposite direction, that is, on the right side we bandage the skeins up and down in the direction from the center.

This is called a dilapidated tortoiseshell bandage.

Spica type

This type of wrapping of a bandage can be in an upward direction, or it can be in a downward direction.

In the first case, the tape is wound from below towards the top. In the second case, the opposite is true.

The following technology is observed - each winding should cover a third of the previous one. This is a spica bandage.

Fixing type

A fixing bandage is used for injuries and sports, even with a healthy knee. In order for the elastic bandage to stay firmly on the knee, you need to bend the joint in the most comfortable position. Next, wind the tape so as to minimize the formation of wrinkles.

The bandage is laid out from the top of the joint and must be secured with a double twist. Next, the tape goes under the bottom of the joint and is fixed in a similar way. The crossing occurs under the kneecap. We repeat this a couple of times.

Circular type

With your left hand, grab the edge of the tape, with your other hand we wrap the knee in one area a couple of times in a circle. Next, secure the remaining edge of the bandage.

Creeping type

The bandage is applied in two layers. For the first one, we use the spiral method, without overlapping the previous winding, but rather move slightly away from it. And the second layer is bandaged when wound in the opposite direction. Here you can already use the spiral technique.

Bandage for sprains

The first edge is applied below the area of ​​injury. The tape is wound in the form of a screw with some elements of the turtle technique.

At night, the bandage loosens a little so as not to squeeze soft fabrics and do not disrupt the blood circulation of the limb.

Source: https://prospinu.com/ortoped/jelastichnyj-bint-na-koleno.html

How to tie an elastic bandage

Elastic bandages arose relatively recently: they were preceded by long story bandages made of woven materials, thin and thick, in the form of a diaper or a long narrow strip, then knitted bandages appeared, which created a more comfortable feeling for patients and made it possible to regulate the pressure of the bandage on the sore area. All this is done by the science of desmurgy - the art of applying bandages.

Elastic bandages are a rather complex product created for repeated use. Using various technologies, an elastic thread, such as latex, is wrapped in a single or double layer of cotton or synthetic thread. And from these “threads” the bandage itself is woven.

However, before you buy or wrap an elastic bandage, carefully study its packaging: elastic bandages, in addition to length and width, have different degrees of elongation - low, medium and high. These elastic bandages are used in various situations:

Low Tensile Bandages(extensibility of at least 30%) are used to treat complicated forms of chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis; provide quick application of bandages when providing first aid; provide convenient and reliable fixation of dressings on affected areas of the body.

Medium stretch bandages(extensibility of at least 100%) are used for the treatment of varicose veins, diseases with trophic complications, and for the treatment of postphlebitis syndromes. Recommended for maintaining soft tissues after plaster removal and compression sclerotherapy.

High tensile bandages(extensibility of at least 150%) are used for treatment varicose veins veins of the I and II degrees, for the treatment of lipodermic diseases; used in the postoperative period for lymphedema, to maintain joints at rest after injuries and operations; recommended for bandaging bedridden patients.

The question: “how to wrap an elastic bandage” can be answered very simply - just like a regular bandage. Those. dressing with an elastic bandage should follow the schemes developed for dressing with a regular bandage.

Of course, there is a difference, it consists in the huge advantage of an elastic bandage - by creating additional continuous pressure (compression) perpendicular to its surface, it leaves soft tissues and joints the opportunity to move and function within certain limits.

This quality of the elastic bandage allows it to be used both for securing bandages and for treating injuries to the musculoskeletal system and diseases of the vascular and lymphatic systems.

How to properly wrap an elastic bandage

Before using an elastic bandage, let's consider the basic dressing schemes and the goals they serve.

Circular bandage.

We hold the edge of the bandage with our left hand, and with our right hand we make several rounds at the same level - as a rule, this is how they begin to apply an elastic bandage.

Spiral bandage - ascending and descending.

With an upward spiral, an elastic bandage is applied from bottom to top.

With a downward spiral, you need to apply an elastic bandage from top to bottom:

This is how they bandage the lower leg, hand or chest. Each subsequent round overlaps the previous one by about 1/3

Creeping bandage

Very often we have to solve the following problem: how to tie an elastic bandage around the entire leg, or chest. In general, around a large surface.

To do this, you need to apply the bandage in two layers.

In the first, we use a method similar to a spiral, but we do not overlap the previous round, but move away from it at a certain distance equal to the width of the bandage.

And in the opposite direction we bandage or spiral, or some other method recommended by the doctor.

The creeping bandage is perfect for the arms (shoulder and forearm) and for the conical areas of the leg - thighs and lower legs. More complex techniques are used for bandaging joints: knee and ankle.

How to apply an elastic bandage to an ankle The most common is a cruciform (eight-shaped) bandage on ankle joint.

The illustrations below show how to correctly apply an elastic bandage to the ankle joint:

Such a bandage will be appropriate for almost all injuries of the ankle joint.

How to apply it?

1) We make several turns of the bandage around the shin itself (secure it)

2) Moving along outside ankle instep

3) Wrap it around the ankle and bring it out again

4) Fasten around the shin

With such a bandage, the ankle joint retains mobility, and this is very important for maintaining the ability of an injured person to work.

This type of bandage does not slip or create painful excessive pressure on any part of the foot or lower leg.

If necessary, you can easily bandage a hard insole under the sole with such a bandage.

You can apply an elastic bandage to the ankle either over the sock or under the sock. It all depends on the nature and extent of damage to the ankle joint.

A cross-shaped bandage is also applied to the chest and neck:

Now let's discuss how to properly bandage your knee with an elastic bandage. By the way, we will also bandage the elbow!

Turtle headband.

Bandaging the knee with an elastic bandage and elbow joint- the most common procedures in everyday life.

Take a close look at the picture below, this is the so-called “Turtle” bandage for the knee joint:

Left and center - we wrap an elastic bandage towards the center, this is a “converging” tortoiseshell bandage.

But on the right we wrap an elastic bandage in “up and down” circles from the center - this is a diverging turtle bandage.

The purpose of such a bandage is to limit the mobility of the knee joint and NOT FALL OFF.

So how do you put an elastic bandage on your knee so that it doesn't fall off?

How to wrap a knee with an elastic bandage

The first thing you should do is ask the patient to bend their knee so that it is as comfortable as possible.

The knee can also be a sprain!

The bandage will need to be wound as evenly as possible to avoid wrinkles.

We place the bandage on top of the knee and fix it with a double turn. We lower it below the knee and fix it again. The intersection is under the knee. The procedure is repeated in reverse order and so on several times.

You can use an elastic bandage on the elbow joint in the same way.

How to properly bandage your foot with an elastic bandage in the heel area

Believe me, it's difficult!

The heel is rounded and the bandage tends to slip off when walking up or down.

The most successful bandage is in the form of a divergent tortoiseshell bandage, but the first securing move is made directly through the heel:

For heel bursitis, a more voluminous bandage is needed:

This bandage makes it possible to apply medications and lotions to the heel, and also protects the heel quite well from stress.

How to wrap your leg with an elastic bandage for sprains

Before bandaging a sprained leg, you need to cool it down - to do this, you will have to lie down for half an hour with a cold heating pad, an ice bag, or just a bottle of cold water.

It is strictly forbidden to overheat the sprained area or lubricate it with warming ointments.

The next task is to immobilize the stretched area as much as possible. Bed rest may be prescribed for several days.

When spraining a ligament, you need to bandage the limb from BOTTOM. This will prevent tissue swelling that is inevitable during stretching).

An elastic bandage is attached below the stretched area (let's say these are the toes).

Here, the screw bandaging technique is most suitable, which in the joint area may contain elements of a tortoiseshell bandage.

Even after applying a bandage, apply an ice pack to the sprained area.

It is good to alternate such applications every 15 minutes.

At night, you can loosen the bandage a little.

Modern desmurgy offers a technique for taping sprained ligaments:

Kinesio tape or elastic tape bandage of low extensibility, adhesive - it is glued in the directions of damaged ligaments or muscles, it is also called an elastic bandage.

This elastic bandage is literally indispensable during the rehabilitation period after an injury.

If the ligaments or muscles are injured and are unable to stretch, this method of application is used - before applying the kinesio tape to the skin, it is stretched. Due to its elasticity, the tape contracts and forms folds on the skin and at the same time supports the injured area.

Elastic bandaging is a simple therapeutic technique performed in many areas of medicine, which is aimed at preventing thrombotic complications that are severe for the body.

The compression effect provided by the bandage allows you to avoid fatal dangerous consequences vascular diseases, injuries of the knee and other joints of the lower limb.

Who needs to apply an elastic bandage? Indications for the procedure depend on the class of material from which the dressing is made:

  1. Bandages of low elasticity. Such a product can be stretched no more than 69% of its length.
  2. Medium elastic bandages. The degree of elongation is 70–140%.
  3. High elasticity bandages. The product stretches by more than 141% of the length of the bandage.

Low elasticity bandages

Compression products of this class are used in the treatment of serious diseases. Most often they are used for conditions such as:

  • Varicose veins in the last stage.
  • Severe lymphedema.
  • Chronic venous insufficiency of severe stage.
  • Postthrombotic disease.

Medium elastic bandages

They are used during surgical operations on the vessels of the lower limb, for example, during sclerotherapy.

They can be used to reduce the risk of disease progression in existing varicose veins, as well as chronic venous insufficiency in moderate cases.

High elasticity bandages

These products are applied for the purpose of prevention during pregnancy, after surgery, in the presence of hematomas, during intense sports activities. Can be applied to the knee or other joints to reduce tension on ligament and tendon formations.

An elastic bandage is applied to the knee joint after damage to the ligaments and menisci, arthroscopy, and during therapeutic rehabilitation exercises.

During prolonged bed rest after injuries, operations, general anesthesia, compression materials of this class are also recommended.

Contraindications

There are a number of conditions in which the use of any compression stockings, including elastic bandages, is contraindicated. Such diseases include:

  1. Obliteration (closing of the lumen) of arteries in diseases such as atherosclerosis, Raynaud's disease, endarteritis.
  2. Diabetes mellitus with the development of trophic and vascular disorders of 2–3 degrees of severity.
  3. Inflammatory, infectious lesions of the skin at the site of application of the bandage.

The effect of compression hosiery and bandaging of the lower limb is based on the creation of different pressure on the parts of the leg. The maximum impact is on the ankle and lower leg, the knee experiences less pressure, which reaches a minimum in the upper thigh. This effect promotes blood movement from bottom to top.

The muscles located under the applied bandage are in greater tone and the vascular branches located in their thickness work more intensely.

If the bandage is applied only to the knee area, it tightens the intra-articular formations and promotes their anatomical integrity during loading. Effects of elastic compression:

  • Pressure on the surface of the limb.
  • Protecting the vein wall from being stretched by blood.
  • Normalization of blood flow, intensification of blood exchange between tissue and vessel.
  • Prevention of thrombus formation due to muscle tension and vascular tone.
  • Compression of ligamentous and tendon structures, prevention of injury.

Knee bandaging technique

The most common and effective technique applying an elastic bandage to the knee is a tortoiseshell bandage. This bandaging method is available in two versions:

  • Converging bandage.
  • Expanding bandage.

With the convergent version, the first two rounds of the bandage are applied below the joint, and the second two above. The lower and upper tours alternate until they come closer to each other in the middle of the joint.

With a diverging bandage, the first round is applied to the center of the joint, and each subsequent one is either higher or lower than the previous one. There are several general rules carrying out the procedure:

  1. It is correct to start applying a bandage at a distance of at least 20 cm from the damaged area.
  2. Each subsequent round must overlap the previous one by 70%.
  3. Bandaging should be done with moderate tension on the product. Try to increase the compression closer to the middle of the joint.
  4. The procedure and the applied product should not cause pain. Release the tension if this happens.
  5. Flexion and extension in the joint after compression should be performed in full, but with great effort. If the bandage slips from the application site, you need to repeat the technique with greater tension on the material.

Elastic compression during the rehabilitation period

Traumatologists most often prescribe knee bandaging after an injury or surgery, such as arthroscopy. During this period, dosed doses are allowed and even recommended. physical exercise on the joint in the form of physical therapy exercises.

After applying an elastic product, exercise on an exercise bike, walking and running on a treadmill have an excellent effect, gymnastic exercises, developed by physical therapy doctors.

It is necessary to combine physical activity with additional physiotherapeutic procedures:

  • Electrophoresis of anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Magnetotherapy.
  • Acupuncture.
  • Electromyostimulation.

Physiotherapy will promote intensive blood supply to the joint tissues, and exercises with an applied elastic product will correctly distribute the load and restore the function of the joint.

Alternatives to bandaging

Some products immobilize the joint completely and are indicated in the early postoperative period or immediately after injury. The compression effect of these structures replaces the plaster cast, restores the anatomical relationship of the tissues, and causes their speedy recovery.

Movable models of fixators are designed to enhance the effect of rehabilitation measures and correctly dose the load on the joint tissue.

During exercise, orthoses reduce the pull on ligaments and tendons and increase blood flow in the affected area. A traumatologist should prescribe fixation devices, taking into account the indications and contraindications of each patient.

Knee bandages are used to protect the joint from external influences. Bandages are used to contain medications, protect affected areas from contamination, stop bleeding, and provide rest or immobility during a sprain or injury.

Types of dressings

An accident can happen to any person, which may result in damage to the skin, disruption of the integrity of bone, cartilage tissue or knee mobility. In such cases, the person requires emergency assistance. However, in case of injury, fracture or sprain, it is not always possible to immediately consult a doctor.

To provide first aid, apply a bandage that will help protect open wounds from infection and the damaged joint from unnecessary movements. Depending on the type of joint damage, methods of applying a bandage are chosen.

We can distinguish the main types of bandages used for applying to the knee:

Protective, which are applied to a damaged joint that has damage to the skin or soft tissue. This bandage helps protect the wound, especially an open one, from the penetration of pathogenic particles and dirt into it. Therefore, to exclude any contact with the environment, an aseptic bandage is applied to the injured knee. For this purpose, a bactericidal adhesive plaster, gauze or bandage with disinfectants can be used. medicines. Pressure used to apply to the knee during bleeding caused by injury. A hemostatic bandage or gauze is applied rather tightly around the damaged area. Immobilizers, which are used for dislocations or sprains. A fixing bandage helps protect the knee from unnecessary stress, which helps avoid complications and additional damage. If it is necessary to protect the leg during a fracture, a solid dressing material is used for fixation.

Methods for applying bandages

Bandage dressings are common in medical practice. A material such as a bandage is considered universal. It has all the qualities that a dressing material should have. It is distinguished by its density, elasticity and ability to pass air. Bandages can be made from various materials, such as gauze, elastic or dense fabrics.


Methods for applying a bandage are chosen depending on the type of joint damage.

To protect and stabilize the knee, apply a bandage in the form of a bandage:

circular (circular); spiral ascending or descending; eight-shaped or cruciform; creeping or serpentine; spicate; tortoiseshell, which can be divergent or convergent; complex.

Each bandage has its own requirements for application technique. Some injuries require a combination of several types and methods of dressing.

Turtle headband

In case of damage to the articular elements of the knee or areas located near the joints, it is advisable to apply a turtle bandage.

A tortoiseshell bandage can be applied to the knee joint in two ways:

Convergent dressing is used for damage to the joint itself. A divergent dressing is required if the periarticular areas are injured.

How is a converging bandage applied?

Both gauze and elastic bandages can be used for this dressing. Convergent dressing is necessary to immobilize the joint in case of intra-articular injuries or when the integrity of the skin or soft tissue directly on the surface of the joint is violated.

If there are open wounds, sterile bandages are used for dressing. In this case, you must wash your hands thoroughly and carry out all manipulations using disposable gloves. These methods will help prevent germs from entering an open wound.

The converging dressing itself is carried out according to the following scheme:

The end of the bandage is held in the left hand, holding the head itself with the right. The patient should be in front of the bandager with the knee bent to 100-120 degrees. The first rounds are applied above the joint, making several securing turns around the knee. Further rounds alternate above and below the joint, crossing at the knee area. Each new round must overlap the previous one by half. The dressing ends in the center of the knee, where it is secured.

After bandaging, it is necessary to check the tightness and correctness of the bandage.

Video

Video - Immobilizing bandage on the knee

How is a dilapidated dressing applied?

The need for this type of dressing appears when there is damage to the periarticular areas.

The technique of applying dressings is similar to the previous technique with the exception of:

Bandaging begins from the middle of the knee. The last rounds occur in the area above the knee joint, where the bandage is secured.

Regardless of the method of applying the dressings, it is necessary to check its density and quality. A correctly applied bandage does not create obstacles to the natural movements of the joint, does not put pressure on the skin and blood vessels, and does not provoke painful or unpleasant sensations.

Therapeutic bandages

Quite often, therapeutic bandages are used for therapeutic purposes in case of joint pathologies. To do this, you can use ready-made ointments, tinctures of healing injuries, applications from plant materials, minerals and ready-made medical dressings.

Saline dressing

Salt, due to its physical and chemical properties, is a sought-after raw material that is used to treat joint pathologies.

Salt helps treat joint pathologies

Salt therapy helps saturate tissues with minerals, warm the joint, improve blood flow and reduce swelling.

Typically, patients are recommended to take a salt bath or heat with salt. But more effective is a salt dressing, which has a local effect. Thanks to the evaporation of the saline solution with which the bandage is soaked, intercellular fluid is actually drawn out of the tissues of the diseased organ, which improves lymph flow and speeds up recovery.

To prepare a 10% saline solution, use ordinary water in which to dissolve sea ​​salt. Gauze folded in 8 layers is soaked in this solution. You can also use cotton fabric, which must be pre-washed and ironed.

A saline gauze bandage is first applied over the joint, and then wrapped with a regular bandage on top. It is not recommended to wrap such a medical bandage with film, so as not to impede the flow of air to the tissues.

Keep the saline healing bandage on the joint for about 15 hours until completely dry. The procedures are repeated every other day or carried out daily for about two months.

It is advisable to carry out such treatment of the knee during exacerbations of arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, polyarthritis, as well as during rehabilitation after injury.

Magnetic headbands

Magnetic therapy is effectively used to restore metabolic processes in the knee. The action of the magnetic field helps eliminate pain, reduce inflammation, which promotes recovery.

Procedures using magnetic influence can be carried out not only in physiotherapy rooms. For the convenience of patients, special dressings are produced that can easily be used at home.

The magnetic knee bandage is equipped with 24 magnets and special Velcro that allows you to attach it to your knee. The use of such a device is recommended for patients with arthritis, arthrosis, and those who have sustained a knee injury.

A specific bandage, thanks to the creation of a magnetic field, helps:

Increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the pathological area by improving blood flow. Eliminate or significantly reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. Improve the condition of the ligamentous and muscle tissues of the joint. Strengthen the process of regeneration of cartilage tissue.


This bandage can be used both during exacerbation of inflammatory processes and rehabilitation after injuries and operations, as well as for preventive purposes in case of chronic joint pathologies.

Treatment with a magnetic bandage is carried out in courses that can consist of 30 procedures. The bandage is applied directly to the knee and secured with Velcro. This device is worn until the effect is achieved.

In case of severe pain, it is allowed not to remove the bandage with magnets for up to three days. After the procedure, repeat as necessary.

Magnetic treatment is prohibited:

during pregnancy; patients with pacemakers; in the presence of open wounds or infectious lesions on the skin at the site of application of the bandage.

Magnetic treatment can be used as monotherapy or in combination with medications and auxiliary methods of therapy.

An ankle or knee sprain is a fairly common injury. One way to prevent further progression of the problem is to bandage the sprain tightly.

The ankle joint suffers especially often in winter, when the risk of injury due to slippery roads increases. However, this injury often occurs among athletes who subject their joints to heavy loads. A properly applied bandage will allow you not to disturb the damaged joint until you see a doctor and undergo appropriate treatment. In addition, a tight bandage on the leg will help to significantly reduce pain and discomfort in the injured foot.

Assistance is provided in 4 stages. First of all, the victim must be ensured peace. Next, apply an appropriate bandage, fixing the injured joint. If the pain is severe enough, painkillers can be used. After providing first aid, you should contact an orthopedist who will assess the extent of the damage and prescribe treatment.

To apply a bandage, it is better to use an elastic bandage, as it has high plasticity and is not subject to deformation. Once the bandage is done tightly, you don’t have to worry about the bandage slipping or stretching. Also, the elastic bandage can be easily removed if it is necessary to treat the sprain site with ointments.

The bandage should be tight enough, but at the same time, not squeeze the lower leg, preventing normal blood circulation. If the blood vessels are compressed too much, the person will feel numbness in the limb. There are several rules that allow you to carry out bandaging with maximum reliability, ensuring a comfortable condition for the damaged joint.

The bandage is applied in turns, from right to left. The procedure begins from the bottom of the ankle, gradually moving up. The wraps of the bandage should lie neatly and evenly. Crisscrossing of tissue and severe wrinkles should be avoided. Each turn of the bandage should overlap the previous one by approximately 2–3 cm. It is recommended to attach the bandage to the thinnest part of the ankle.

During the procedure, the patient must be in comfortable position with the leg slightly raised. The foot should be perpendicular to the shin. Typically, a bandage takes up to 1.5 meters of bandage. Upon completion of the procedure, the back of the foot should be almost completely covered with dressing material, and the heel, on the contrary, should be open.

No less often, people are faced with the problem of how to make a tight bandage on the knee joint. Knees often suffer during icy conditions. Despite the weather conditions, people prefer the beauty of shoes over their comfort, therefore, the chance of getting injured is very high. It is better to prepare for the possibility of injury in advance by studying the rules for applying a bandage to the knee in case of a possible sprain. This is only first aid, which is necessary to eliminate the risk of further damage, as well as to reduce the pain syndrome. The optimal treatment will be prescribed by an orthopedist, who should be consulted as soon as possible after the injury.

Typically, first aid includes rest, cooling the knee joint to relieve tissue swelling, and applying a bandage. As in the case of the ankle, the knee joint should be bandaged tightly, avoiding strong compression and pinching of the blood vessels. The most suitable is an elastic bandage, the width of which is 10 cm. Do not unwind a large amount of bandage at once. It is much easier to unwind the roll little by little. In this case, the bandage will be smooth, without pronounced wrinkles or kinks in the material.

The end of the bandage is applied to the damaged area and the bandage begins in a circular motion. The first turn is performed in the middle of the most voluminous part of the joint. In case of tissue damage and bleeding, the wound is pre-treated and covered with a sterile napkin. The next turn is directed upward, trying not to overlap more than a third of the previous turn. After this, make a turn of the bandage in a downward direction, also leaving about a third of the previously applied turn open. In principle, the knee joint bandaging technique resembles a figure eight. Each turn is located above or below the thickened middle of the knee. In this way, tight fixation of the damaged organ is achieved. You can secure the bandage using a safety pin or tape.

Often, a person with signs of a sprain is in no hurry to visit a medical facility, preferring to carry out treatment on their own. In this case, it is necessary to take into account several rules that will avoid the risk of further injury. You should not play sports or be excessively physical activity before full recovery damaged joint. A new injury can lead to ligament rupture, which will require specific treatment, including surgery. If you need to leave the house, it is better to wear flat-soled shoes. If the bandage puts too much pressure on the joint, leading to numbness of the tissues, it is necessary to apply it again, ensuring blood flow. It is advisable to maintain a rest regime for the first time after injury, without exposing the leg to stress.

A properly applied tight bandage will allow a short time eliminate unpleasant, painful symptoms. But, nevertheless, it is better to carry out treatment after consultation and under the supervision of an orthopedist.

Since ancient times, people have been accustomed to bandaging everything for faster healing of wounds. An elastic knee bandage is one of these remedies. Below we will look at how it differs from other bandages and what it is needed for.

What are elastic bandages and what are they for? As soon as bandages were invented, they began to be divided into antiseptic and pre-antiseptic. The predecessor of the elastic bandage was a knitted bandage, which performed the same functions as the modern “rubber” bandage. These bandages are designed for repeated use because they are not intended for open wounds.

Types of elastic bandages

Bandages come in different widths, lengths and degrees of stretch. Before purchasing, you need to carefully study the type of bandages:

Low elongation (30-100%) designed for treatment chronic problems with veins, such as: venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis. Very convenient for first aid when you need to immediately apply a long-term bandage. They provide a strong fixation of additional products on the affected area without causing any discomfort. Medium extensibility (100-150%) is used to treat varicose veins, a disease with trophic and post-phlebitis syndromes. Very effective for maintaining tissue after cast removal and compression sclerotherapy. High extensibility (150% or more) is used for less severe varicose veins and for the treatment of post-phlebitis diseases. Very convenient after surgery for swelling, for supporting joints after injuries and operations, for patients in bed rest.

Before you buy a bandage, you should familiarize yourself with some recommendations in this regard:

It is better to consult a specialist; you need to pay attention to extensibility (depending on the type of injury); it is more profitable to choose a company that has already proven itself in the market (this way you will save on the long service life of the bandage); depending on the injury received, different lengths of elastic bandage will be required; if the doctor prescribed a “tight” bandage, then he should also clarify what kind of bandage needs to be purchased.

An elastic bandage is much more profitable and convenient than a regular medical bandage. Firstly, a rubberized bandage can be wound a second time, when a regular bandage stretches and deforms after the first use, although it costs less, it will last much less than an elastic one.

The elastic bandage has very useful properties. It especially helps athletes, since they are often injured (sprains, bruises, dislocations, or just pain in the joints). When stretched, the bandage fixes the sore spot very well and does not allow unnecessary movements. Such a bandage also has the ability to warm, so before wrapping the affected area, you can rub in a warming ointment, the effect of which will be enhanced by the “bandage”.

Rules for applying a bandage to the knee

In most cases, the bandage is applied to the knee due to injury or excessive load on a joint or after surgery. Sometimes athletes, particularly athletes before training or competition, wrap their knee to prevent injury. Because during athletic activity the main “impact” falls on the knee joint. And to keep it safe, you can bandage and fix your knee in advance.

So, the instructions say that you need to apply the bandage following clear instructions. The process of applying a bandage to the knee:

First of all, you need to buy a bandage at a pharmacy or sports store. Sellers can offer bandages with different fasteners; you should choose according to your own taste. You should sit so that your leg is in a relaxed position. The roll must be held in one hand, and its free end in the other. Next, place the free end behind the knee, just below the cup. The edge of the bandage should follow the crease line under the knee. Next, you need to bandage your leg, covering the free end. Each new layer should slightly block the previous one. For greater convenience and an even bandage, you need to slightly tighten the bandage, but not too tight, so as not to disrupt blood circulation. When it's over bottom knees, you should move to the upper one. Everything is done in the same way, but you need to ensure that the bandage is evenly covered. After completing all the wrapping manipulations, you need to secure the remaining end of the bandage. This can be done with special locks or simply tuck the end under some layer. After this, you need to bandage the other leg according to the same pattern. For convenience, you should check whether the bandage is tight and does not restrict movement. To do this, you can squat or bend your legs several times. If it is tied too tightly, it is better to straighten it a little, otherwise it will be uncomfortable later.

Once you have acquired the skills of how to properly bandage joints or injury sites, you can familiarize yourself with a number of tips on how and in what cases to use an elastic knee bandage.

You need to bandage in a relaxed state. If a leg injury occurs, it is better to apply the bandage in bed in the morning. The elastic bandage must be applied evenly, because microtrauma to the skin may occur. In order to avoid untimely stretching of the bandage, it is necessary to open it only outward and close to the skin. Each level of dressing should overlap the previous one by 20-50%. As you finish bandaging, you should loosen the tightness a little. The bandaging area should be slightly larger than the injury area (10-15 cm). You should throw away unusable bandages that have lost their rubber properties. Bandages can be applied after warming up the muscles (warm-up or special ointment). When training in the gym, you should only use bands when working with heavy weights. In other cases, it is unnecessary and will not bring any benefit. Again, in the gym between sets. strength exercises It is better to unbandage your leg so that the skin can breathe.

Side effects

If the bandage is too frequent and tight, damage to the inner surface of the cup may occur.

If the bandage is tied very tightly, it will lead to excessive friction between the two bone surfaces.

For the same reasons, it can also be damaged muscle. Therefore, you need to be very careful when carrying out such procedures.

Sometimes excessively frequent use of bandages can lead to psychological dependence. This applies to athletes who engage in strength training V gyms with simulators. Sometimes a person gets so used to working with bandages that after that he can no longer perform the exercise until he ties the bandage. Although the bandage is just a precaution, some may think that without it something will break or fail.

Is there an alternative?

For greater convenience and fixation, special knee pads were invented. They imply a lightweight “dressing”, that is, just put it on - and that’s it. Stores that specialize in selling this type of product offer special bandages with inserted ribs to regulate the rigidity of the fixation.

In most cases, special knee pads perform the same functions as an elastic bandage. They support the joint, help reduce pain and reduce swelling. There are also special bandages with orthopedic properties.

Reinforced knee pads are used in the following cases:

dislocation; paralysis; arthrosis; synovitis; infection.

Knee pads, however, have a slight advantage over a simple elastic bandage: they are distinguished by their ability to prevent muscle atrophy and guarantee freedom of the limbs. They improve blood circulation and thereby have a positive effect on the injured joint or, on the contrary, act as a preventative measure.

In any case, the choice is yours. Many athletes use knee pads because they are convenient and quick to use, and some still use an elastic bandage. Your preference should be given to a product that is more convenient for individual needs and characteristics. An elastic bandage on the knee is a more beneficial means for prevention, when a bandage is already a more serious remedy with a strong orthopedic effect.

For the first time, bandages, as everyone used to call them, appeared in the 19th century in the form of gauze bandages. Later in the 20th century, these bandages began to be produced in elastic form. True, they didn’t stretch well. When latex thread was invented, such bandages began to stretch much better and became similar to today’s modern ones.

Instructions for using an elastic knee bandage will be presented in this article.

The knee joint in the entire human body experiences the most heavy load, as a result of which he is constantly exposed to various injuries. There is a need to fix the knee. In these situations, an elastic bandage on the knee joint will come to the rescue.

Elastic bandage

This type of bandage is widely used for:

  • bruise;
  • dislocation;
  • sprain
  • inflammation in the knee joint and other diseases that require fixation of the knee joint.

The bandages are coated with a cotton compound that makes them breathable and can absorb moisture (an aqueous solution of salts and organic substances that are secreted by sweat glands). If you bandage your knee with an elastic bandage, it provides rest, prevents active movement, and thereby reduces pain and swelling in the tissues and promotes rapid recovery.

Widely used by athletes involved in strength training, helping those undergoing post-operative recovery or those who need to stabilize an injured knee.

The effectiveness of using an elastic bandage will be achieved if it is correctly selected and correctly applied. Anyone can learn this simple science if they have the desire.

Indications

Unfortunately, many people turn to an elastic bandage whenever a knee joint injury occurs, leaving the study of the instructions for later. This type of dressing is sold freely in all pharmacy warehouses and kiosks.

To improve nutrition, and as a consequence, the regeneration of soft tissues of the lower extremities, fixation and the necessary compression of the knee joint are used in medicine. What does it give:

  • compression of the soft tissues of the joint;
  • strengthening and increasing the tone of venous walls;
  • normalizing blood flow;
  • prevention of thrombosis;
  • preventing the development of illness or injury.

Preventing injury is one of the reasons for using an elastic bandage

During the rehabilitation period after an injury, most physical therapy exercises are performed while fixing the joint. It is recommended to wear elastic bandages when walking so that the loads are applied with gradual increase strength as the joint itself heals.

Contraindications

To use an elastic bandage, with all the positive aspects, there is Some contraindications to its use:

  • narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels;
  • diabetes mellitus type 3;
  • inflammation or ulcers on the legs;
  • with neurological pathology.

One way or another, before you start bandaging the knee joint, it is better to consult a doctor who will tell you what type of bandage is needed in each specific case.

Types of bandages and their purpose

Before using this type of bandage, it is better to study which type is indicated for which injury. Elastic bandages are produced with different stretch levels and the purpose of their use is directly related to the stretch strength. Kinds:

  • low elasticity. Has about 69% stretch. Intended for the treatment of serious diseases, such as varicose veins in the last stage, accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space (for example, due to a bruise), severe chronic venous insufficiency and post-thrombotic disease;
  • medium elasticity. Stretch from 70 to 140%. It is used in case of recovery after surgery on the vessels of the lower extremities, to stabilize varicose veins in the legs or in case of constant disruption of blood outflow in the venous system;
  • extreme elasticity. Elongation from 141% and above. Used during pregnancy to prevent varicose veins, for hematomas, after surgery, to relieve tension in ligaments and tendons.

In case of prolonged bed rest after various operations, injuries and surgical operations using general anesthesia, it is prescribed to wrap the legs with compression bandages or stockings.

Application methods

Each bandage has its own requirements for application technique

There are several ways to bandage your knee with an elastic bandage. And after the specialist gives instructions on the use of an elastic bandage, telling you how to properly bandage the knee with an elastic bandage, it is necessary to ensure that the bandage on the knee does not put unnecessary pressure on the knee joint and maintains the desired therapeutic effect.

It is better to ask the pharmacist at the pharmacy to sell a bandage that comes with special fasteners (clasps) or Velcro around the edge. If both are missing, you will have to use a standard pin.

So, how to apply an elastic bandage to your knee: the leg should be stretched forward without tension, the knee joint should be slightly bent and completely relaxed.

There are universal rules for applying an elastic bandage:

  • the bandage should not fall off, but at the same time moderately limit the mobility of the knee;
  • the bandage should not put pressure on soft tissues, causing a feeling of numbness when there is no pulsation under the bandage;
  • It is necessary to ensure that the skin above and below the bandage does not become pale or cold, in addition, it should not turn blue. This means that the bandage is not applied correctly.

How do you know if the bandage is attached correctly? If the edge of the little finger fits under it freely, then everything is in order. IN otherwise It is better to bandage the bandage.

Universal method

The simplest method of applying a bandage is to bandage the knee with an elastic bandage obliquely and with turns. It is fixed below the knee, about 10 centimeters, stretched, then wound obliquely under the knee and to the thigh.

The length of such a bandage is about 20 cm. It is fixed with fasteners or a pin. This type of tying is extremely fragile and rolls down during movement.

Popular option

If the elastic compression is wound correctly, there will be no feeling of restriction or restriction of movement and at the same time it will fit perfectly on the knee. The most famous method of applying a bandage is the turtle bandage. Apply in two ways:

  • descending(applied in two layers at the top and bottom of the joint and each turn is replaced until the middle of the knee);
  • divergent(winding occurs in the opposite direction from the center of the knee joint, one turn above and below).

Applying a bandage to the knee joint

Elementary bandage

With this method of fixation left hand holds the end of the bandage, and the right rotational movements turns the bandage around the knee. It is necessary to ensure that the turns do not overlap each other along the entire length.

Spiral

How to wrap a knee with an elastic bandage in a spiral? When using this fastening method, it is wrapped in a circular motion around the knee joint, with each subsequent turn moving up or down a third or half of the width. In this case, there may be kinks or a weak fit of the bandage.

If an elastic bandage is applied in an ascending knitting pattern, then its end is secured under the knee, and the coils are shifted upward. If the elastic bandage is laid in a downward manner, then the bandage is fixed above the joint and layers are applied with a downward shift.

This type of fixation is considered more reliable than circular application. But the layers, however, can shift when walking or running.

Fixing bandage

A proven and time-tested method can be called the cross-shaped method. This is how he secures the elastic band to the joint. Fixing the knee joint with an elastic bandage begins with twisting the bandage on the thigh and through the knee to the ankle.

These movements are copied by shifting the layers a certain distance towards the knee. The actions continue until the coils meet at the joint. Attach a bandage to the affected area.

Alternatives to bandaging

If you don’t want to wind bandages, you can use medical knee pads, which imitate it, in the form of simply putting it on the leg. These knee pads support the joint, relieving pain and reducing swelling. Such bandages also have orthopedic properties.

Medical knee brace

For dislocation, arthrosis, paralysis, fluid accumulation in the knee joint and other diseases, reinforced knee pads are used. They do not allow the muscles to atrophy and allow them to move quite freely, improve blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the damaged joint.

Conclusion

For any injury to the knee joint, you should seek medical help. So that a specialist can determine what type of elastic bandage is needed in each specific case and what type should be used. It is best to have two units in your first aid kit so that they can be washed at the right time. Washing is carried out in plain warm soapy water, without the use of powders. Dry without curling. When wearing a bandage for a long time, you can use talcum powder to avoid skin irritation.

Some use elastic bandages for injuries, while others use knee pads exclusively (since they can be easily put on in the blink of an eye). Final decision is taken based on the individual characteristics and needs of each individual. An elastic bandage is an economical means for both prevention and treatment, and a bandage is a serious means with a powerful orthopedic effect. Any type of dressing should be used only for medical reasons and under the supervision of the attending physician.

To apply an elastic bandage to your knee, you need to have a certain technique. For this purpose, a product in the form of a bandage is used, made of cotton with an insert of elastic fibers. This bandage is used to fix any component elements of the musculoskeletal system in case of injury. It is better if a doctor or an already trained person bandages the knee.

Varieties

By composition:

  • Woven. Made from latex and cotton. It should be noted that such bandages are not very popular, they are almost never used. This is due to the high likelihood of patients developing an allergy to latex components.
  • Knitted. Manufactured using polyurethane fibers or polyamide.

Elastic bandages by type of fixation:

  • High. The bandage for the knee joint increases threefold when stretched, and with full contraction of the tissue there is no strong compression.
  • Average. Such a bandage can double in size when stretched. It is used for the treatment of various venous pathologies, for joint injuries, as well as for fixation of damaged joints and periarticular tissues, ligaments in patients suffering from gonarthrosis.
  • Short. It is characterized by not very good fixation and elasticity, but it has a high level of compression.

An elastic bandage is used not only to bandage the knee, but also as an upper limb.

How to choose a bandage?


A bandage with high elasticity will provide a more secure hold.

Choosing a high-quality and suitable product for subsequent treatment of a sore knee is extremely important. It is worth considering that only fixation with high elasticity will help the patient. Layering causes too much pressure on the joint. An elastic knee bandage made of cotton fibers is best suited for fixing the knee joint - this is the best solution. Velcro, clips or hook-type fastenings are used to bandage and secure the knee.

Before purchasing a bandage, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the basic recommendations in this regard:

  • Talk to your doctor about the most appropriate option.
  • Depending on the injury, select the required elasticity of the product.
  • You should choose well-known and long-established manufacturers in the market.

How to properly apply an elastic bandage to your knee?


A bandage that is too tight will disrupt the blood circulation process.

After bandaging, there is often a feeling of tightness, and the skin may turn blue. Sometimes the bandage needs to be rewound, but if the bandage is applied correctly, these symptoms disappear on their own. Thus, if 20 minutes have passed and slight blueness and a feeling of tightness remain, a dressing is needed. You need to re-bandage the sore knee, slightly loosening the bandage. To quickly and correctly wrap a bandage around your knee during a sprain, you should study the general instructions. She explains step by step exactly how to wind. Basic Rules:

  • Check soft tissues for the presence of specific swelling. If present, the leg is elevated and rested before wrapping the affected limb.
  • To wrap the knee correctly, you need to start wrapping from the narrow part to the wide one.
  • The compression in the hole under the knee should be less than in the area of ​​the knee pad, which has a specific radius.
  • The formation of folds when bandaging is unacceptable, as severe discomfort doubles.
  • The bandage should be wound tighter to the skin, winding from right to left.
  • Proper bandaging of the knee looks like this: the previous turn must be covered by about a third with a new layer of bandage. If the elastic properties are lost, the knee bandage is discarded.

An elastic bandage should be applied after pre-warming the muscles. The use of such a bandage during training is recommended only when working with heavy weights.

Precautions and side effects

Bandaging the knee joint too tightly or too often can cause damage. inner surface kneecap and muscles. Thus, when performing such procedures, you need to have the ability to use wrapping techniques. Constant use of elastic bandages often results in psychological addiction. Athletes suffer from this, especially fans of heavy sports, weightlifting and bodybuilding. Such a person gradually becomes so accustomed to training in elastic bandages that it turns out that he is unable to do even one exercise if he forgot to wrap his knee. This is a precautionary measure that gradually turns into psychological dependence. There is a common misconception that if the bandages are not tied and secured, they will result in injury to the limb or inability to perform the required exercise.