This technique can be used to fix dressing and compression bandaging to the middle of the hand, the mid-foot, the ankle or the wrist. If used as a support bandage the range of movement in the ankle and wrist joints may be limited.
Material
Roller bandage:
- For a child: 4-6 cm wide.
- For an adult: 6-8 cm wide.
Procedure
- Support the lower leg on a stool or chair.
- Flex the ankle joint to a 90° angle.
- Make at least two circular turns around the forefoot.
- Apply a number of spiral turns around the mid-foot.
- Apply a number of figure-of-eight turns around the mid-foot and the ankle.
- Ensure that the strips of bandage cross each other at the instep [Figures 68, 69].
Figure 68
Figure 69
- Finish the bandage with two circular turns around the lower leg.
- Fix the bandage on the last circular turn.
The mid-foot/ankle bandage has been correctly applied if:
- The bandaged ankle joint is at an angle of 90˚.
- The heel is uncovered.
- The turns between the mid-foot and the ankle cross each other at the instep and the end of the roller bandage is fastened around the ankle [Figure 70].
Figure 70
If the ankle has been injured, the circular turns around the foot can be omitted and the figure-of-eight bandaging can be kept to a minimum.
A number of additional spiral turns can be applied around the ankle and part of the lower leg instead.