Elasticated Tubular Bandage

Elasticated tubular bandages are a versatile general purpose dressing and are used for support of sprains, strains, tendons, joints and soft tissue injuries. The elasticated material provides gentle compression to help reduce swelling. They can be reapplied multiple times and are a good choice for lymphedema treatment and edema management.

Elasticised bandages come in a range of different sizes, depending on your needs. For example, small elasticated tubular bandages are best for use on toes or fingers, while large tubular bandages are ideal for use on legs or arms.

Tubigrip is a specially designed elasticated tubular bandage that is very popular and widely used for its ability to support sprains and strains as well as help reduce persistent swelling. The fabric is made up of covered elastic threads that move to adapt to the contours of the body and distribute pressure evenly over the surface.

It can be positioned without pins or tape, and is washable and reusable so it can be easily used over and over again until the injury is healed. It can also be layered with other bandages for even more compression.

Tube shaped elasticated bandages are also commonly used for post-cast support, wound dressing retention and the management of sprains and strains. They are usually wrapped from just below the joint above the injury (for example, the knee for a knee sprain) to the joint underneath (for example the ankle for an ankle sprain).

If the wound or other site is sensitive and can be easily irritated or bitten, you may want to consider using a non-woven elasticated wound dressing instead of an elastic bandage. These dressings are softer and more comfortable for sensitive skin. They are also less likely to tear and allow better skin ventilation.

When wearing a stockinette tubular bandage, it is important to avoid applying too much pressure and to follow your doctor’s instructions about how frequently you should change the dressing. Too much pressure can cause constriction, numbness and reduced blood flow. It is also possible for the skin to become macerated, which feels similar to a raisin and is very uncomfortable.

To help prevent this, a tubular elastic bandage should be removed at night when there is a risk of numbness or constriction. Then the bandage can be reapplied in the morning.

Another important factor to remember is that the longer the bandage is in place, the more likely it is to cause wrinkling of the skin, known as ‘maceration’. This is an extremely unpleasant condition and can make the wound take longer to heal. It can also increase the risk of infection, so it is important to keep your wound clean and dry throughout the healing process.

This is a common problem with tubular elastic bandages and can be very annoying. In order to prevent this, it is very important to remove the bandage at night when there is a risk of constriction and to follow your doctor’s instructions about changing the dressing. This way, you can ensure that the skin is not being in contact with too much moisture and that the wound can heal quickly.