Investment techniques | Tap the metatarsal fracture

Investment techniques

There are various investment techniques. One can treat specific pain points by varying the application. As a rule, tape algae are very well described on the Internet (YouTube).

It is important to make sure that you always work in the given direction, e.g. from the foot to the lower leg and not the other way around. It is also important to note whether a tape bandage is applied with or without tension. In most cases, the tear-off techniques of the backing paper are well described.

It is important to tear the backing paper in the right places to be able to remove it easily when applying the tape and not to influence the tension on the tape. The correct preparation of the anal frames is also important. If necessary, the skin can be cleaned of excess grease with a skin-friendly disinfectant before application.

With classical tape for fixation, the application technique is usually somewhat different. Instructions can also be found on the Internet. Should a classic stabilizing system be necessary. It is important to note that the classic tape installations restrict the movement of the foot and weaken rather than promote the activation of the stabilizing muscles. Permanent application should be avoided!

Tape load

Once a foot has been treated with an elastic kinesiotape, the foot can be loaded freely without restrictions, provided the fracture is already so stable and no other information has been given by the doctor. A kinesiotape bandage can support the healing process, but is not used to fix a fracture.It should therefore only be used in the stable stage of fracture healing. If pain occurs, it is important to pay attention to it and not to move or strain it further!

Advantages and disadvantages of the tape

  • The advantages of taping are that the foot is still supported in its stability even after removal of the plaster. The tape bandage provides the foot with a slight passive support. In addition, the tape’s ability to support the active structures can improve the foot’s own stability.

    Joint positions can thus be discreetly corrected. The patient has a feeling of security when walking, especially when he was not allowed to put weight on the foot for a long time.

  • Exactly here one can also list the disadvantages of the tapesystem. Permanent taping can create a kind of dependence.

    After the plaster treatment, one is initially afraid to put weight on the foot freely again. So one tapes for support – the foot is stabilized again. However, the fear of the free load can be increased. It is important to load the foot without tape every now and then to train it and to give the patient the feeling to be able to load and use the foot without tape.