Wrist taping

The wrist is under constant strain and is therefore often exposed to the risk of sudden injury. Work-related or sports injuries can quickly limit the function of the wrist. A good way to prevent an injury in case of existing instability is to apply a tape bandage.

Indications for a wrist tape

The areas of application of conventional tape bandages or the Kinesio tape strips are very diverse. Nevertheless they always have the same goal. They support and protect joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

A tape bandage can be applied, for example, to protect a joint or muscles from extreme stress during sports. It therefore serves as a prophylaxis and can thus protect against overloading and overstretching. It can also be used if the joint is already slightly injured.

This gives it the necessary stability to avoid a worse injury through further strain. Also in case of a first-time wrist injury such as a sprain, a torn ligament or a suspected fracture, a tape bandage can be applied for initial treatment to immobilize the injured joint. Furthermore, tapes can be applied to the wrist if the injury is healing and rehabilitation is supported. The tape therefore has a supporting function on the weakened structures such as joint capsule, muscles or tendons. On the one hand, this supports healing and protects the joint from a new injury, on the other hand, the injured joint receives the necessary stability to resume a load which can then be slowly increased.

Instructions

For a good tape bandage to be applied, the skin for the tape should be cleaned and dry. It may be necessary to remove the hair on the wrist to ensure that the tape strips hold well and do not come off prematurely. For taping you need Leukotape or Kinesiology Tape, as well as scissors.

If you cannot apply the tape alone, you will need a second person. First of all, anchor reins are applied, to which the supporting strips are then attached with traction. An anchor is attached to the lower third of the forearm at a distance of about 2-3 cm from the wrist.

The second anchor is applied in a circular pattern just before the fingers are attached and covers the back and palm of the hand. In the next step, the anchors are connected with longitudinal strips. This starts at the thumb side.

This rein should include the thumb saddle joint. Further strips are glued on at regular intervals up to the little finger. Next follow diagonal strips.

The first one runs from the little finger starting over the back of the hand and ends on the circularly running tape strip at the wrist on the thumb side. The other diagonal strip should cross the first one. After the back of the hand has been taped in this way, tape strips are stuck to the palm of the hand in the same way.

Then cover these tapes with further horizontal tapes until the hand and wrist are completely covered. Now the wrist is secured and receives the necessary stability to withstand a load. A Tapervand should fit comfortably, not be too tight but still fulfill its purpose. If the patient feels a tingling or numbness, the tape strips may be too tight and should be loosened. The tape bandage must then be reapplied.