How to Strap Your Wrist After Injury
Landing hard after a fall on the tennis court, colliding with another player on the soccer field or even just lifting something heavy the wrong way, there are so many different ways to injure your wrist. Whether it’s a mild sprain or a bad bruise, how quickly and effectively you take care of your wrist makes a world of difference to the recovery of the joint and reducing the chances of developing further issues. Here are a few tips on how to safely strap your wrist after injury.
Wrist injuries
When you injure your wrist, the first thing to do is determine whether you can treat it yourself or if you should seek medical assistance. If you are experiencing any of the following, seek immediate medical assistance:
- Severe pain
- A loss of sensation
- Severe numbness/tingling
- Excessive swelling, bleeding or misshapen joint.
If you suspect it’s a fracture, there are some steps to follow here: How to manage a wrist fracture.
In any case, the best thing to do immediately after injury is to follow the RICE principle (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate).
Rest, ice and elevate are all fairly simple, but when it comes to compressing the wrist, there are several different ways it can be done.
How do I strap an injured wrist?
When it comes to strapping, wrapping, taping or splinting the wrist, there is a wide range of products and techniques available. In today's blog, we are going to cover two methods of strapping the wrist.
Rigid Tape Technique: This technique is designed to stabilise the wrist, preventing excessive movement and unloading the wrist joint. This can be done with different materials, depending on what you’ve got on hand (pardon the pun). A general overview of what you should do is outlined below.
- Ensure the wrist is stable, and bring it slightly back, so the hand is raised.
- Start by strapping at the main wrist joint between the base of the thumb and about 3cm down from the wrist.
- Apply more focused strapping on the centre of the wrist, either with more length of bandage, or more rigid tape.
- Ensure the wrist is well supported and not easily moved, and that there is still regular feeling and circulation in the thumb and fingers.
For a video guide on how to do this strapping with different materials, just click on the one you’re using: Sports tape, Compression bandages or Crepe bandages.
Brace or Support: When treating a wrist injury, whether in a first aid capacity or in the days and weeks following injury, using a brace or support has several distinct advantages. These include:
- Simple donning and application
- Comfortable fit and skin-friendly
- Suitable for long term use and recovery
- Low maintenance
Wearing a wrist brace after an injury
When it comes to wrist supports, there are two main types, depending on the type of injury you are treating. These are:
Sleeve/Strap: Usually made of a simple strap or sleeve with inserts, these provide compression on the wrist joint and help to stabilise the muscles.
Great for swelling, sprains and general bruising. Try the ManuTrain or Sports Wrist Strap.
Splint: Wrist splints are more rigid supports, designed to prevent the wrist from moving and allow for recovery, unloading the joint.
These are more ideal for chronic sprains, nerve issues, carpal tunnel and other recurrent problems. The ManuLoc wrist brace is one of the most versatile and comfortable supports available.
For assistance selecting the right product for your needs, book a video consultation with a Bauerfeind expert: Book Video Call, or call us on 1300 668 466.
Do you have private health? Most private health extras will cover Bauerfeind Products, check to see if yours is included. Bauerfeind Private Health Insurance Enquiry.
Bauerfeind products are developed at our innovation and manufacturing facility in Zeulenroda, Germany. Based on years of scientific research, our award-winning braces and support garments are highly recommended by medical professionals and athletes worldwide.
