Elastic bandage is very convenient and practical. Many women and men often use this device. A drug is sold in every pharmacy network or in a large market. It should be noted that the length of the product and the width can be different. This article will tell you how to properly apply an elastic bandage on the leg. Also, you will find out in which cases this tool is used and what can become an alternative.
Elastic bandage
It is easy to apply this flexible material to the leg or arm. Most often it is used for damage to ligaments, bruises, sprains and varicose veins. Always applied elastic bandage after surgery on the vessels of the lower extremities. It makes it easier to work the veins and relieve them of a lot of stress.
The size of the product may be completely different. Always need to consider the purpose of your acquisition. The elastic bandage on the leg is longer than the arm. Also, similar products are equipped with fasteners. They can be in the form of Velcro, ties, or metal staples.
How to apply an elastic bandage on the leg area?
Depending on what pathology you have, the way to fix the product may be different. Let's consider some variants how correctly to use a bandage elastic( medical).
Damage to ligaments: how to fix the bandage
If you stretched the ligaments, then this elastic product will help you. Most often, such a trauma is obtained as a result of turning the foot. A person begins to feel severe pain in the ankle when attacking, and also there may be swelling. It is worth noting that in this case the elastic bandage on the leg is imposed only for daytime. Before going to bed, the bandage should be removed, and in the morning it should be re-worn. If the joint is damaged, preference should be given to short-length bandages with fasteners in the form of Velcro.
Begin to wrap your foot from the base of your fingers. In this case the elastic band( medical) should not completely cover the limb. Phalanges of the fingers should be clearly visible. This is necessary to determine the state of the leg during fixation. If the fingers begin to turn blue, then it is worth loosening the tension. The bandage is wound layer by layer. In this case, each next layer should cover the previous one by a couple of centimeters. In the area of the heel, it is particularly difficult to fix the product. To do this, you can tighten it slightly more.
Bandage the leg when stretching the ligaments before the beginning of the calf. It is here that the product is fixed. After the bandage is applied, the person feels pain relief and has the opportunity to move independently. At the same time, various anesthetic ointments can be used, but it is better to see a specialist after the injury is received to assess the complexity of the situation.
Varicose veins and elastic bandage
How to reel elastic bandage with varicose veins? In this case, the method of using such a device is somewhat different. To begin with it is worth considering, in what place is the dilated vein. If this area is on the ankle and at the beginning of the calves, then the product must be applied to the knee. When a varicose disease affects the area under the knee, the bandage is applied to the middle of the thigh. In case the dilated veins are visible above the knee, the product should be used along the entire length of the leg( up to the very top of the thigh).
Elastic bandage for varicose is selected in accordance with the form of the disease. The preferred length of the product is from two to five meters. Give preference to bandages on metal fasteners. They can be fixed in absolutely any place and position.
It is necessary to wind a bandage from the very toes. At the same time, the fingers remain open. A mandatory condition for laying the product is the horizontal position. Better use the bandage right after waking up. Without getting up from the bed, raise the limbs upward for two minutes. If you had to take a vertical position, then after that you need to lie down again and raise your legs for five minutes. Then you can begin to bandage. Even if the varicose veins are located at the level of the knee, the elastic material should be applied from the toes. Otherwise you can get the opposite effect.
After applying the first coil, tighten the bandage a little and wind the leg so that the new layer covers the previous one more than half. In this way, continue to tightly fix your foot. After reaching the heel, gently and tightly wrap this area. Remember that with varicose veins, the heel and knee should also be covered with the product. When you reach the required level, fix the bandage with the help of fasteners. The higher you climb the leg, the less the pressure of the bandage should be.
After operation: how to use elastic material?
If you have had an operation to treat varicose veins, then the bandage is applied immediately( on the operating table).In this case, you can remove the product only after a few days. Necessarily, after giving up bandages, you need to wear a compression jersey. Such products become an alternative to tight bandaging. They are easy to use and easier to put on. Compression stockings or stockings practically do not differ from usual ones. This can not be said for an elastic bandage.
Knee joint injury: fixation with medical bandage
In this case, all the familiar elastic bandage will also come to the rescue. To properly fix the knee, you must take a sitting or vertical position. Begin to impose the product you need from calves. Tightly wind your knee. Each new layer must overlap the previous one by two to three centimeters. Fix the product over the knee and try to take a few steps. With the correct use of the remedy, you can easily bend and unbend the leg, and the pain sensations will decrease somewhat.
Recommendations for those who use an elastic bandage
Before you apply a medical elastic bandage on your leg yourself, it is worth to visit a doctor - a surgeon or traumatologist. Only a specialist can reasonably assess the complexity of the situation and give appropriate recommendations. Also, the doctor will show you the correct way to use the bandage in your case.
An alternative to elastic bandage was compression knitwear. However, this statement is true only in the case of varicose veins. If the ligaments or joints are damaged, gypsum may become an alternative to tight bandaging.
Conclusion
Elastic bandages require some care. Wash them every day in cool water using non-aggressive detergents. After incorrect washing, the product may lose its quality. Some people prefer to buy new products instead of washing. It is worth noting that such a pleasure is quite expensive.
Dry the bandage better in straightened condition at room temperature. Do not use clothespins or battery to dry. Keep the product in a neatly folded form in a dry place. The shelf life of the product is from two to five years, depending on the frequency of its use.