How does a tensor bandage work

Wrap the bandage around the hand a few times, beginning at the base of the fingers. Then wrap it around the hand between the thumb and index finger. Circle the wrist several times, ending about 10 centimetres above the wrist. The bandage should be snug, but it should not cut off circulation. Check your toes if the bandage is wrapped around your foot or ankle or fingers if it's around your wrist. If they become purplish or blue, cool to the touch, or numb or tingly, the wrap is too tight and should be loosened.

Loosen the wrap at night before bedtime. Compression bandages do not offer protection. For example, if your ankle is wrapped, you also need a brace to protect your ankle if you try to put weight on it.

Keep the bandage clean between uses. Wash it by hand in warm soapy water. Then rinse it, and let it air dry. Author: Healthwise Staff.

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It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. A compression bandage is a type of stretchy bandage that is wrapped around a body part to place pressure on it. It is commonly used in first aid as part of a therapy known as RICE rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

Compression helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow and can also help reduce pain. It is important to know how to use compression bandages correctly so that they are not too tight and end up cutting off circulation. Compression bandages are typically used to treat sprains and strains. But, they can also help keep a body part stabilized, such as when there has been a rib fracture. The bandages may also be used to prevent or treat the build-up of fluid in the lower legs, known as edema.

This article will discuss how to use compression bandages correctly, mistakes to avoid, and other treatment alternatives. Compression bandages can be anywhere from 2 inches to 6 inches in width. As a general rule, the wider the bandage is, the less likely it will be to cut off circulation. It is important, therefore, to select the right size for the body part. By way of example:. Always choose the right-sized bandage for the body part. A bandage that is too narrow can cut off circulation.

A bandage that is too wide may not provide ample compression. When using a compression bandage, you need to apply the right amount of pressure to prevent swelling and help stabilize the injury. This can be tricky since body parts and the blood vessels that supply them differ in size and shape. Wrapping a thigh is one thing; wrapping a complex joint like an ankle or wrist is another. To use a compression bandage on a leg or arm:.

To use a compression bandage on an ankle:. To use a compression bandage on a wrist:. The bandage should be tight enough to feel snug but not so tight as to cause pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling, or cold or blue fingers or toes.

These are signs that the bandage is too tight and needs loosening. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you don't know how to use a compression bandage. If in doubt, call your doctor or ask your pharmacist to show you how to use one. Compression bandages do a good job of keeping the swelling down. However, there's a limit to how long you should compress an injury. At some point, blood flow needs to increase to encourage healing.

To improve healing and prevent injury, there are some do's and don'ts you should follow:. Ask your doctor if you need to wear the bandage at night.

If so, loosen it slightly before bedtime. Don't use a compression bandage to prevent reinjury. The bandages can help stabilize joints, but they neither support nor protect them. Never use limp bandages. Washing the bandage can help restore some of the elasticity. This bandage design consists of an elasticized knit.

The bandage can be wrapped around an ankle, wrist, or knee and it will conform, holding tension and providing support. Tensor bandages are held in place with small, toothed metal clips. The materials used in the bandage can include synthetics, as well as cotton and other natural fibers, depending on the manufacturer.

Typically, these bandages are cream or flesh colored and they may be striped or decorated. One advantage to the tensor bandage is that the knit allows the fabric to breathe naturally. The skin underneath the bandage benefits from the air circulation. These bandages are also fully washable and reusable. The design usually withstands hard washing and bleach, allowing people to fully clean a bandage between uses.

Since these bandages are not designed to be applied directly to wounds , they shouldn't absorb infectious material like liquids that seep from injuries.