The shoulder joint is the most mobile and multifunctional joint, so it is often subject to injury. If the bruise is not the cause of a ligament rupture or a fracture of the bones of the joint, then it can be fixed with a flexible bandage. You need to know how to wrap your shoulder with an elastic bandage to ensure fixation of the joint, because the main condition for effective treatment is temporary immobilization of the damaged joint. Shoulder injuries come second after knee injuries and are the result of bruises received during play, sports training, household and work injuries.
Shoulder contusion
Indications for applying a bandage
A bandage restricts shoulder movement after an injury.
Wrapping the shoulder with an elastic bandage helps reduce pain. It holds well without interfering with excessive movement.
You need to secure your shoulder with an elastic bandage in the following cases:
- soft tissue bruises;
- sprain of the shoulder girdle - often occurs when playing volleyball, basketball, tennis;
- exacerbation of arthritis, arthrosis of the shoulder joint;
- bursitis, tendonitis.
You should not bandage your shoulder if you have thrombophlebitis or open wounds in the damaged area.
How to properly bandage a shoulder
Shoulder bandaging scheme
Correctly applied bandage during first aid affects the effectiveness of further treatment. Bandaging is done in an upward spiral; it is important not to squeeze the vessels, but at the same time securely fix the tape so that it does not slip.
Correct dressing of the shoulder with an elastic bandage:
- Leave the edges of the elastic band at the bottom of the shoulder.
- Bandage the injured shoulder upward. Each subsequent layer should overlap the previous one by 50% of the width.
- Secure the edges with the fasteners included in the kit.
- To prevent the bandage from slipping, you need to turn the bandage over from the outside of the arm.
- With a descending bandage, the edge of the tape remains outside, bandaging begins with 2-3 circular turns. Then the bandage is pulled in a diagonal direction with moderate tension.
If the shoulder joint is damaged, wrapping begins from the armpit on the opposite side of the injured area. The tape needs to be passed over the sore shoulder joint, made a loop around it, and again returned to the starting point. Make rotations until the shoulder joint is completely closed. Secure the edges of the tape with clips.
When I sprained my arm
Once the arm is straightened after a dislocation, it is necessary to apply a bandage.
In this case, the arm should be moved away from the body. A cotton or gauze roll should be placed in the armpit.
Instead of a bandage, you can use a Turner splint.
The average wearing time is approximately 4 weeks in adults. For older people and children, the time is reduced to 3 weeks.
Once the bandage is removed, you need to do exercises. With their help you can strengthen your muscles and joints. They perform a preventive function to prevent this injury in the future.
Rules and recommendations
Elastic bandages with a width of 8.10 cm and an average length of 2 m are suitable for fixing the shoulder.
- The bandage should be strong, but not pressing.
- Bandaging is always done from left to right.
- The victim must sit. The injured limb can be supported under the elbow.
- When applying a bandage, stand facing the victim, hold the bandage in your right hand.
- Wrap the bandage and pull it evenly so that there are no folds.
An elastic bandage has many advantages. The tape can be used repeatedly; it reliably fixes the injured limb. The elastic bandage is easy to wrap and remove and is versatile.
If the bandage is applied incorrectly, blood circulation can be disrupted. The material needs to be looked after and washed promptly. Proper immobilization requires special skills and experience.
Spica bandage on the thigh. How to bandage an injured leg
There are several bandages applied to the legs: hard (splint and plaster) and soft. The leg bandage varies according to the location of application: on the foot, on the ankle, on the lower leg, on the knee; and as intended.
Leg bandage, types by purpose
There are several types of soft dressings.
Pressure used to stop existing.
Protective, used to prevent pathogenic microbes from entering the wound and the development of secondary infection. And also - bandages that protect from the influence of the external environment - from injuries from clothing and shoes.
Immobilizing for damage to bones and joints to immobilize a limb.
Corrective – to correct existing joint deformation.
How to apply a bandage to a leg in case of injury
There are general rules for bandaging the lower extremities.
Before the manipulation, the victim should be given the most comfortable and functional position to minimize pain in the future.
Ensure limb immobility by extending it at the hip and knee joints 180 degrees or bending the ankle 90 degrees (if possible).
Using existing furniture (table or chair), place the injured part of the leg as high as possible, preferably at the chest level of the person providing assistance.
While applying the bandage, constantly monitor the condition of the victim: if there is a clear deterioration, the tension of the bandage should be loosened and the direction of the turns should be changed.
The width of the bandage used depends on the location of the lesion and can range from 10 to 14 cm.
The free end of the bandage should be held in the left hand, the bandage itself in the right.
First, make a couple or three fixing turns.
The bandage should be applied from left to right so that the next layer covers the previous one approximately halfway. For ease of movement, the bandage is folded at the folds.
At the end of bandaging, the ends are secured.
Types of leg bandages
The type of bandages depends solely on the location of the injury.
Spiral shin bandage
It is done with bends and applied to the lower leg. Since the shin has a conical shape, this bandage is the most comfortable when it is damaged.
Bandaging begins with two or three securing turns in the lower third of the shin, directly above the ankles, bandaging in a spiral manner, making bends and turning the bandage. Having reached the top of the shin below the knee, the bandage is strengthened.
Turtle knee bandage
There are two types of such a bandage:
- Converging – injuries directly to the knee,
- Divergent – injuries to adjacent muscles and ligaments.
The bandaging technique itself is the same, the difference is only in the place where the bandaging begins:
- when converging - above or below the knee,
- with diverging - in the center of the knee joint (along the protruding patella).
The bandage is made in the form of a figure 8 with a cross under the knee at the back. Each turn of the bandage covers the previous one by half the width. The knee should be bent at an angle of 120 degrees before manipulation.
Shoulder immobilization before transport to the emergency room
In case of a shoulder injury, it is important to provide first aid to the victim correctly and in a timely manner. To do this, you need to use available materials to bandage, apply a temporary bandage, and securely fix the injured limb.
Immobilization rules:
- In case of soft tissue bruise, provide rest to the victim.
- Bend the injured limb at the elbow and place it in the middle of a wide scarf. Place the ends of the fabric behind the neck and tie with a strong knot. In this form, the victim is transported to the emergency room.
- If there are wounds, if the bleeding is not severe, rinse the damaged area with water and peroxide.
- Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
- Apply a spiral bandage. Bandage the injured arm to the body so that it is completely motionless.
Transport immobilization will help the victim get to the hospital with minimal health consequences. After all, only in a hospital is it possible to make the correct dressing or apply a permanent plaster cast after an X-ray examination.
Shoulder girdle taping
Methods for taping the shoulder joint
Tape is an adhesive tape made of fabric that is used to fix or support the joint. Advantages: convenient to use, not visible under clothes, does not lose its properties when swimming. Taping improves blood circulation and increases lymph flow. Elastic kinesio tape provides soft immobilization, which speeds up the regeneration process.
Taping rules and scheme:
- Cleanse the skin of sweat and dirt, remove hair if necessary.
- Wipe the skin with an alcohol-containing solution.
- Measure the required length of tape and round off the ends.
- If the deltoid muscle is damaged, the tape is applied in the shape of the letter Y. The tape is applied without tension at the site of attachment of the muscle to the humerus. The rays of the tape extend to the anterior and posterior bundles.
- In case of injuries to the periosteal brachialis muscle, the tape is glued to the area of the junction of the shoulder bone and clavicle. The first 2-3 cm of the tape should be without tension, then it should be stretched to the middle part and above the spine of the scapula by 25-30%. The tape should be positioned perpendicular to the spine.
- To secure all muscle and tendon fibers, you need to use a wide tape. Cut 30-40 cm, stick over the shoulder joint.
Taping is carried out in case of dislocation of the shoulder joint without displacement, bursitis, to prevent exacerbation of chronic injuries. For acute injuries, tape can be applied after swelling has resolved.
Abduction splints
Abduction splints are orthopedic devices that are widely used by surgeons, traumatologists and neurosurgeons.
A similar device is used:
- In case of a fracture of the humerus and shoulder blades without surgery, in the process of restoring the shoulder joint after a fracture;
- In case of injury to the humerus;
- During the recovery period after surgery on the shoulder bones or joints;
- In the case of treatment of contractures of the shoulder joints.
Shoulder scarf
Kerchief bandage
Kerchief bandage is a method of emergency fixation, used immediately after an injury. The bandage reduces the risk of subsequent damage to the shoulder, prevents rupture of blood vessels, the formation of hematomas and edema. This is a triangular piece of tissue that immobilizes the injured limb.
How to wrap your shoulder with a scarf:
- Place the tip of the fabric cut in the armpit.
- Cross the ends over the shoulder and draw on both sides of the chest.
- Tie a knot in the area of the opposite armpit.
- If everything is done correctly, the upper limb will be completely immobilized, since it is tightly pressed to the body.
A scarf bandage is applied in case of dislocation and injury of the shoulder, or suspected damage to the collarbone. This is one of the easiest ways to quickly re-wrap a shoulder after a dislocation or sprain.
Common method
One of the most mobile parts in the body is the shoulder joint.
That is why it is so often injured by people who regularly play sports. Careless movements lead to dislocations and fractures.
In case of dislocation, a fixing bandage ensures the correct location of the injured area.
I do it immediately after the patient’s plaster is removed.
The fixing bandage performs a number of functions:
- Reduces the load on the injured shoulder joint;
- Eliminates unnecessary activity of the injured limb;
- Keeps the shoulder in a natural position;
- Acts on the injured area as compression;
- Helps restore lymph flow;
- Provides nutrients to the tissues of the shoulder joint.
If a doctor has recommended it to the patient, then additional physical therapy can be performed. It has a positive effect during the rehabilitation period.
It is recommended to simultaneously work out the damaged shoulder joint without denying yourself active movements.
Rigid immobilization
Rigid fixation orthoses are used for complete immobilization. The design consists of a metal frame, equipped with volume and angle of movement regulators. Use only as prescribed by a doctor. Indications: humeral neck fracture, ligament damage, collarbone injury.
Every person needs to know the rules of first aid and bandaging. Injuries can happen at any time. Athletes, sports doctors and coaches need to master various bandaging techniques.