Sports Medicine: Just the Facts

1. One strip is placed around the wrist. A “figure of
   eight” is placed around the thumb.


2. A strip of elastikon or other stretch tape is cut in
   the middle of each end.


3. The ends are ripped apart and each remaining strip is
   wrapped around the wrist proximally and the thumb
   distal to the metacarpophalangeal(MCP) joint.


4. The tape is covered with figures of eight and
   around the wrist with stretch tape.

HIP TAPING

•Hip flexor: For hip flexor strain. The patient stands in
slight hip flexion. The end of the wrap is placed on the
iliac crest and rapped posteriorly around till it meets at
the front. This process is then continued around the hip
to the opposite iliac crest. The process is repeated with
the bandage being overlapped at least by half-hip.

• Adductors: For adductor strain the end of the wrap is
  started at the upper part of the inner thigh, and then
  wrapped posteriorly around the thigh. The wrap is
  then drawn across the lower abdominal region and
  over the crest of the ilium to the opposite side of the
  body. This process is then continued around the back.
  The same pattern is repeated and the end of the wrap
  is secured with 1^1 / 2 in. adhesive tape.

THIGH TAPING

• Hamstring and quadriceps strain: A bandage is applied
  in a circular pattern around the thigh or a thigh sleeve is
  applied over the location of the injury, providing com-
  pression and warmth for the injured muscle. A piece of

foam for focal compression such as a pad or piece of felt

can be added over the injured area for support and to

prevent further injury to the damaged muscle.

KNEE TAPING

• Hyperextension: Used for hyperextension injury, pos-
  terior capsule sprain, and hamstring tendon strain.
  (Fig. 73-5)
  
  
  1. With the athlete standing on a heel block to allow
     slight flexion, anchors are placed around the mid-
     belly of the quadriceps and the mid-belly of the
     gastrocnemius. A strip of elastikon or other stretch
     tape is cut in the middle of each end. The ends are
     ripped apart and each remaining strip is wrapped
     around the quadriceps proximally and the gastroc-
     nemius distally.
  
  
  2. Second and third strips of elastikon are placed
     either side of the first strip, overlapping by half.
  
  
  3. The underlying tape is closed using stretch tape.
  
  
  
  


• Knee collateral tape: Can be used for an injury to
  either collateral ligament.
  
  
  1. Two cross strips of coverstrip are applied intersect-
     ing the midportion of the collateral ligament.
  
  
  2. Leukotape strips are applied over the coverstrip.
  
  
  
  

LOWER LEG TAPING

• Medial tibial stress syndrome: Used to decrease the
  symptoms of medial shin pain.
  
  
  1. Tape is applied in a rotational pattern, from a
     medial to lateral direction.
  
  
  2. Strips are continued in a proximal direction until
     the base of the gastrocnemius.
  
  
  
  

444 SECTION 5 • PRINCIPLES OF REHABILITATION

FIG. 73-4 Thumb spica taping.

FIG. 73-5 Taping following knee hyperextension injury.