Purpose

• Provide support for the elbow and limit excessive and/or painful elbow hyperextension following ligamentous sprains and muscular or joint capsule strains.
• Reduce pain and stress on musculoskeletal structures to promote recovery and improve stability and function upon return to play.

Pre-Tape Testing

• Determine MOI (traumatic injury versus repetitive overuse strain versus pathological biomechanics/malalignments versus muscular imbalances versus poor footwear).
• Ask if they have been taped before and if there were any issues encountered.
• Rule-out allergies to sprays and/or taping products.
• Inspect the skin for any signs of soft tissue injury (i.e., cuts, abrasions, blisters).
• Check motor, sensation, and circulation (MSC) before execution of the support technique.

Components and Execution Procedures

• Individual Positioning:  Seated position with their elbow slightly flexed and the fist of their opposite limb supporting under their elbow.
  • NOTE:  Position the individual’s elbow within their pain-free ROM (not in full hyperextension).
• Preparation:  Apply a light misting of quick-drying adherent or skin toughner over the upper arm, elbow, and forearm.  Apply pro-wrap from mid-forearm to mid-upper arm.
• Anchors:  Using 2-inch or 3-inch elastic tape, apply two to three anchor strips around the upper arm, above belly of biceps brachii. While applying these anchors, have the individual flex or lightly tense their bicep muscle.  Next, apply two to three anchors around the forearm, below forearm flexor belly muscles. Again, have the individual flex or tense their forearm muscles during application.
• Support Strips:  Starting from the medial aspect of the forearm anchor, apply a strip of 1.5-inch athletic tape to the anchor on the lateral aspect of the upper arm, crossing over the cubital fossa of the elbow anteriorly. Next, apply a strip of tape from the lateral aspect of the forearm anchor, across the elbow to the medial aspect of the upper arm anchor. Repeat these steps three times. This will create an “X” over the cubital fossa. Ensure to smooth down the strips of tape to secure appropriately.
  • TIP: The fan or “X” can be assembled on the table first using 1.5-inch athletic tape. Ensure that you measure out the appropriate length from forearm anchor to arm anchor (plus extending 1 to 2 inches, 2.5 to 5 cm, longer). Once assembled, apply to the individual’s arm.
• Closing Strips:  Re-apply the elastic tape anchors around the forearm and arm to secure the end of the support “fan”.   Apply a couple of strips of 1.5-inch athletic tape over the ends of the elastic tape strips to secure them in place.

Post-Tape Testing

• Check motor control, sensation, and circulation (MSC) after application.
• Manually assess the elbow to test the integrity of the support technique. In other words, has the support technique limited the movement (s) that are painful?
• Functionally assess the elbow to test the integrity of support technique. This testing should be specific to the individual’s sport or activity and specific to their position in that same sport or activity.