Sports Medicine: Just the Facts

CHAPTER 73 • TAPING AND BRACING 443

1. Two strips of coverstrip are placed over the AC
   joint in an anterior to posterior direction. A third
   strip is placed from the base of the neck to the
   distal edge of the deltoid.


2. One strip of Leukotape is used to depress the clav-
   icle. The tape is pulled from the anterior to poste-
   rior direction.


3. A second strip of Leukotape is used to depress the
   clavicle from a posterior to anterior direction.


4. A final strip of leukotape is used to depress the
   clavicle from a proximal to distal direction.

ELBOW TAPING

• Hyperextension: Used for hyperextension injury to
  the elbow. The Xs should be placed over the injured
  structure. (Fig. 73-2)
  
  
  1. The elbow is covered with prewrap from mid bicep
     to mid forearm.
     2.Anchor strips are placed at each end of the prewrap.
  
  
  2. Two strips are applied creating an X over the joint
     line (over the cubital fossa).
  
  
  3. The finished tape is covered with power flex.
  
  
  
  

WRIST TAPING

•Wrist hyperextension: Used for hyperextension injury
to the wrist. Placing the Xs on the dorsal surface of the
hand will also protect the wrist injured from hyper-
flexion. (Figure 73-3)

1. A strip is begun around the wrist and is continued
   around the metacarpals distal to the thumb.


2. A strip of elastikon or other stretch tape is used to
   limit extension. A cut is made in the middle of each
   end of the strip. The ends are ripped apart and each
   remaining strip is wrapped around the wrist proxi-
   mally and the metacarpals distal to the thumb.


3. A strip identical to the first anchor is applied over
   the elastikon to stabilize the tape.

FINGER TAPING

• Buddy taping:Used to immobilize the fingers for
  sprains or fractures. Strips are placed around adjacent
  proximal and distal phalanges.


• Stax splint:Used to immobilize the distal interpha-
  langeal(DIP) joint of the finger in full extension, such
  as for a mallet finger. The finger is placed in a stax
  splint with the DIP in full extension. The stax splint is
  then taped to the finger with a strip of power flex tape
  (Wang and Johnson, 2001).


• Checkreins:To limit abduction. A strip of 1 in. tape
  is wrapped around the middle phalanx of the injured
  finger over and around to the adjacent finger. The
  tape between two fingers (checkrein) is strengthened
  with a lock strip around the center of the checkrein.
  Tape is applied around the middle phalanges while
  allowing enough slack for the strips to touch in the
  middle.


• Collateral taping: Used for ligamentous injury
  around the proximal interphalangeal joints in order to
  limit varus, valgus, hyperextension, or hyperflexion.
  An anchor strip is placed on either side of the proxi-
  mal interphalangeal(PIP). Cross strips (Xs) are then
  applied across the injured collateral ligament.


• Thumb spica:Radial collateral support that protects
  FIG. 73-2 Taping following elbow hyperextension injury. against an ulnar force. (Fig. 73-4)

FIG. 73-3 Taping to prevent wrist hyperextension.