The use of athletic tape or tensor wraps is common in a sport setting. The basic rationale for its use is to provide protection and support for an injured body part or joint, while permitting functional movement. Taping and wrapping can be beneficial providing that the injury is properly assessed, and an appropriate technique is utilized.

Purpose/Indications for Use

• Help provide external support to an injured structure.
• Help limit harmful and/or excessive movements.
• Allow pain-free functional movement.
• Permit early resumption of activities while protected.

Benefits:

• Help control swelling and/or limit edema.
• Help prevent secondary complications to keep an initial injury from worsening.
• Helps prevent compensatory injury to adjacent body parts.

Contraindications for Use

• Individual has a fracture. Injuries of this nature must be properly immobilized, splinted, and referred to emergency for follow-up care.
• Individuals have moderate to severe joint instabilities (dislocations or separations) or muscle ruptures. These types of injuries must be properly immobilized or splinted and referred to a hospital for follow-up care.
• Individual has an active infection (signs of SHARP – swelling, heat, altered function, redness, and pain). An infection must be referred for immediate follow-up care.
• Individual has obvious skin irritation (i.e., redness, blisters, cuts, etc.) that precludes taping or wrapping.
  • NOTE: Sometimes wounds of this nature can be bandaged and protected prior to applying a support technique.
• Individual has nerve or circulatory impairments. These conditions must be properly referred to a medical professional.
• Individual has an allergy to the available taping materials and/or supplies. Taping or wrapping may proceed if there are hypoallergenic materials available or there are appropriate barriers between the skin and supportive product.