Purpose

• Provide support to reduce stress on muscular structures (groin muscles – adductor brevis, longus. magnus & gracilis) and limit excessive abduction and external rotation movements, in order to reduce pain and promote healing during recovery and/or upon return to play.
• Provide compression to limit pain and inflammation.

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:  Standing with their weight placed on the injured leg and their knee slightly flexed (knee over toes; approximately 30°). The affected limb is relaxed, their hip is adducted and their foot is slightly internally rotated. Place a roll of athletic tape under their heel.
  • NOTE: Wrap should be applied directly onto skin but can be applied over compression shorts.

• Application:  Apply the tensor bandage starting at the lateral aspect of the thigh and wrap it posteriorly around the thigh for two revolutions and then pull it up across the abdomen and pelvis to the other side of the hip. Ensure to “hook” it over the iliac crest on this side. From the iliac crest, continue to wrap the tensor across the lower back and pelvis, towards and around the thigh again. The wrapping should produce an “X” over the antero-medial aspect of the hip.  Repeat this pattern until the tensor is used up. Maintain appropriate tension throughout the wrapping process.  This spica pattern should gently pull the thigh in abduction.
• Closing Strips:  Using 3-inch elastic tape, re-trace the spica pattern and secure the elastic tape ends with strips of 1.5-inch athletic tape.

Post-Tape Testing

• Check motor control, sensation, and circulation (MSC) after application.
• Manually assess the hip 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 hip 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.