Injuries are not uncommon among us humans; we can easily get injured by walking to the office, crossing the road, or riding a bike. However, for sportsmen and women, the chances are significantly higher because of the nature of the activities they are involved in. Many of the activities they engage in can lead to overuse of muscles, tearing of ligaments, or just external injuries.
It only makes sense that athletes have several treatment options that they can use for the injuries; among these options are compression bandages.
Elastic Compression Bandage are usually sticky fabrics that can be used to apply compression to injuries. The level of compression applied varies with the kind of bandage. These compression bandages are also called elastic bandages or tensor bandages. Read on to find out more about these bandages, their characteristics, their functions, and how they can be used to treat sports injuries.
Before that, why don’t we look at some of the most common sports injuries?
Common Sports Injuries
Sprains
Sprains and strains are some of the most common injuries in sports. A sprain occurs when a ligament—a tissue that connects bone to bone(s)—tears or ruptures, usually due to excessive pull or a turn in the wrong direction. Ankle sprains may be considered the most common type of sprain in athletes, after which wrist, elbow, and knee sprains may come.
Sprains are commonly accompanied by pain, throbbing, and redness. Because sprains usually leave the ligament very weak, immobilization is often required to prevent further injury. They are often caused by slips, trips, overuse, hyperextension, and falls. People who have weak ligaments are also more susceptible to sprains.
Tapes and braces are used for stability, support, and pain relief in the case of sprains.
Strains
Strains do to muscles what sprains do to ligaments which is why they are often confused for each other. It can also be caused by overuse of muscles and tendons, high or low-impact falls, hyperextension, and excessive playing. This type of injury is common because many sports require repetitive use of a particular set of muscles. So, it is not far-fetched that these muscles weaken with time and eventually rupture.
Strains may take less time to heal than sprains, but they still require adequate rest. Some strains may heal naturally, but you can not go wrong with a little tape.
Fractures
Fractures can be very painful and take a while to heal; in extreme cases, they may even warrant surgery. A fracture is a break in a bone that is usually caused by high impact or excessive stress.
There are different types of fractures, including avulsion fractures, comminuted fractures, greenstick fractures, hairline fractures, transverse fractures, etc. Symptoms of fractures vary from person to person, but these are some of the common ones: bruising, swelling, discoloration, pain, bleeding, protrusion, and inability to move or move without difficulty.
A physical scan is often needed to properly diagnose a fracture because it can easily be mistaken for something else. Casts, braces, and tapes are often used to immobilize the affected area.
Dislocations
Dislocations, as you may have guessed, involve the bones of a joint falling out of place. They can be partial, also called subluxation, or complete. Dislocations are one of the most painful types of injuries and can cause complete immobilization. They can occur in the fingers, hips, jaw, knees, shoulder, or elbows.
Dislocations can be caused by the weakening of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding a joint. Car accidents can also cause them. In sports, dislocations mostly occur in contact sports like football. Older people with weaker muscles are more susceptible to this. Depending on the location of the injury and how severe it is, the symptoms of a dislocation may vary. However, some of the most common symptoms are instability, pain, bruising, swelling, inability to move the joint, and deformity.
They can be treated using rest, manipulation, medication, rehabilitation, or surgery. Rehabilitation involves different forms of physical therapy that may include taping. Surgery is usually only recommended in severe cases where the other options don’t work or the dislocation affected nerves or vessels.
How to Use Compression Bandages to Treat Sports Injuries
Compression bandages can be used on different body parts, and different rules apply to each part.
Using Elastic Compression Wrap on an Arm or a Leg
- Place the arm or leg in a neutral position.
- Hold the bandage roll (roll it up first if it doesn’t come in a roll) over the wound.
- Make sure you start wrapping from the farthest end of the limb but make it as close to the wound as possible. It is not advisable to wrap up the entire limb.
- As you apply the bandage, ensure each wrap lays on the edge of the one preceding it to improve firmness.
- When you are done wrapping, secure the ends of the bandage with clips or tape.
Using Compression Bandages on a Wrist
- Start wrapping from the base of your fingers.
- Wrap between your thumb and index finger to firmly hold the bandage.
- From that position, wrap upwards towards your wrist and keep wrapping above it.
- You can stop wrapping about five inches above your wrist.
- Secure the end with clips or tape.
Using Compression Bandages on An Ankle
- Hold your ankle in a neutral position at about ninety degrees.
- Start from the farthest end of your foot that is closest to your injury. This should be somewhere near the ball of your foot which is the base of your big toe and the one beside it.
- Move upward from there, wrap firmly and overlap each layer until you reach the heel. Before reaching the heel, take extra care to ensure the bandage is secure.
- Do not wrap the heel itself to allow for little mobility and aeration.
- Continue wrapping towards the ankle. Alternate between moving up towards the calf and downwards towards the heel to make the bandage secure. It should form a figure eight pattern.
- In the end, the wrap should span the entirety of your foot and end slightly above your ankles.
- Secure the end with clips or tape.
Wrap the compression bandage firmly but not tightly, as this can lead your circulation to be cut off or cause you to lose feeling in that part of your body. This can slow down the healing process.
This is why it is advisable to leave your fingers or toes out in their respective cases. They will serve as tell-tale signs for when your body is going blue or pale beneath the bandage. If the tape is too tight, loosen it and re-apply. If the same thing occurs, remove the bandage completely and consult a professional. Even in the absence of these reactions, a bandage should still be loosened and re-applied at least twice daily.
How to Use Elastic Wrap Bandages
The Dos
- If you have to wear your compression bandages to bed, you should wear stockings or socks over them. This helps ensure that the bandages do not stick to the sheets or rip off while you are asleep, which can be painful.
- While showering or taking a swim, use a plastic cover, plastic cling wrap, or garbage bag to protect the bandage from getting wet.
- Wear comfortable shoes if the bandage is on an ankle or a foot.
- Remove and re-apply the bandage once in a while. If it becomes dirty or limp, wash it before applying; if not, it may be ineffective.
The Don’ts
- Do not use compression bandages on open bloody wounds. This can cause contamination, infection, and a lot of discomfort. Always clean the wound properly before applying a compression bandage. If, after cleaning it and trying to stop the flow, the wound is still bleeding excessively, you should see a doctor.
- Do not reapply a limp or dirty bandage without washing it well in warm soapy water.
Hampton Adams Compression Bandages
Our Hampton Adams 30 Pack of Gauze Rolls speak comfort and convenience. Our rolls are made with cotton and other latex-free materials that make the bandage thick yet soft, flexible, breathable, and comfortable.
The use of latex-free materials ensures that people with latex allergies do not have to worry about any reactions or infections. Latex, even in the absence of an allergy, can be uncomfortable and irritating.
Our elastic bandage has high absorbency. This means the bandage can keep any fluid or stain coming from your injury from your clothes. With Hampton Adams compression bandage, you do not have to worry about contamination, irritation, discomfort, or discolored clothes.
Hampton Adams 30-Pack of Elastic Bandage is sticky and stays in place for as long as is necessary. Any worry you may have had about elastic bandage scrunching up or falling off behind you can be eradicated. Our bandage will stay put, and this speeds up recovery.
Our compression bandage is very easy to remove. It does not damage your skin or leave sticky bits of it in your wound. Residues can make wounds worse, especially if you have not fully recovered.
Every 30-pack of our elastic tape comes with free medical tape, which may be used to secure the bandage better.
Our compression bandages also work on pets. This is possible because the bandage does not remove hair or leave behind sticky residues.
Visit our store to purchase your quality, firm, and comfortable compression bandages with the promise of no sticky residue.