A support bandage is a cohesive bandage constructed according to specific principles of various layers. It is meant to aid optimal restoration of (lost) proprioception in a joint, limit extreme movements, guide movements and to exert dosed friction.
The materials used to manufacture a support bandage have been described in the section “bandaging material and equipment“.
Research has established that bandaging joints in certain cases offers benefits over plaster cast immobilisation or surgery. This decision should be based on a clear-cut indication. On the other hand, very precise bandaging techniques are required. A bandage which has not been applied in an entirely accurate manner, will be counter-effective and may create new problems (skin irritation, tendonitis, capsulitis, shin splint).
Written instructions alone are not sufficient to ensure that these techniques are learned well enough to responsibility applied. For this reason, and because a support bandage should be accompanied by detailed and clear exercise instructions, the best way to gain the skills in support bandaging is to follow a reputable course on the subject. Therefore, we refer the reader to the NHG publication on ankle sprains.
A special form of support bandaging is preventative ankle bandaging using a roller bandage. The main aim of this bandaging technique, originally developed by Coumans, is to prevent (repeat) injury to the ankle ligaments. The technique can be learnt easily and applied independently.