Amanda Knapp
Taping a sprained wrist is a common practice in sports, especially in basketball, where the wrist is prone to injury due to the nature of the game. Taping can provide support and prevent further injury, allowing players to continue participating in the sport they love. It is important to know the correct way to tape a sprained wrist to ensure that blood circulation and sensation are not affected, providing both support and flexibility. This guide will take you through the steps of taping a sprained wrist for basketball, ensuring comfort and stability for players.
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What You'll Learn
Use rigid tape that's 38mm wide
When taping a sprained wrist for basketball, it's important to use the right kind of tape. Rigid tape that is 38mm wide is ideal for this purpose. This wider tape provides more stability and support for the injured wrist.
To begin, start at the side of the wrist and pull the tape tightly across. Make sure you wrap it securely, but not too tight, as this can restrict blood flow and affect circulation. You should be able to fit a finger between the tape and the skin to ensure it's not too tight.
Continue wrapping the tape lightly under the wrist, maintaining minimal tension. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the veins and nerves in this area. Once you've finished wrapping, pull the tape tightly again, similar to the first step.
Finally, check the skin above the edge of the tape. If it's puckered, that means the tape is too tight and you should adjust it. The tape should allow for some wrist flexion, so make sure the range of motion isn't too restricted.
By following these steps and using rigid tape that's 38mm wide, you can effectively tape a sprained wrist for basketball, providing support and protection while allowing for comfortable circulation and movement.
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Pull tightly across and wrap under the wrist
When taping a sprained wrist for basketball, or any other sport, it is important to get it right to avoid further injury and ensure the wrist can still flex. Once you have started at the side of the wrist with a wider rigid tape (38mm), you will need to pull the tape across tightly. This is to ensure that the wrist is supported and won't bend backwards too far. However, it is crucial that you do not pull it so tight that it affects blood circulation and sensation—there should be little tension on the tape.
To do this correctly, wrap the tape lightly under the wrist, being careful not to put too much pressure on the veins and nerves in this area. Once you have done this, you can start to pull the tape tight again, just as you did in the first step. Check that the skin above the edge of the tape is not puckered as this is a sign that the tape is too tight and may be restricting blood flow.
If the tape is too tight, you will need to start again, being careful to apply less tension to the tape when wrapping it under the wrist. The tape should feel secure without being restrictive. Once you have checked that the tape is not puckering the skin, and that the wrist can still flex, you can finish off the wrapping.
This technique will provide support to a sprained wrist and help to prevent further injury when playing basketball or other sports. It is important to seek medical advice if you are unsure about how to tape a sprained wrist, and to remember that taping is not a substitute for proper medical treatment and rehabilitation.
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Avoid wrapping too tight to prevent circulation issues
Wrapping your wrist can provide compression, which helps to minimise swelling, reduce pain, and stabilise the joint to restrict movement and facilitate recovery. However, it is important to avoid wrapping your wrist too tightly, as this can obstruct blood flow and oxygen to the injury, hindering the healing process and potentially leading to serious complications.
To ensure that your wrist wrap is not too tight, check for warmth in your fingers and make sure that you can wiggle them. There should be no areas of numbness, and the wrap should feel snug but not tight enough to cut off blood flow. Additionally, be mindful of the placement of the wrap. Avoid placing it over the wrist joint, as this can cause dysfunctional movement during certain activities such as handstands. Instead, position the edge of the wrap at the wrist crease.
It is also important to consider the timing of when you use a wrist wrap. While wrapping your wrist can be beneficial during the healing process, you should gradually resume normal activities and sports only at your doctor's discretion. Overusing a wrist wrap can lead to a reliance on the support, so it is recommended to wait until there is a large load coming through the joint, such as during a max lift, before utilising the wrap.
In summary, while wrapping your wrist can provide stability and aid in recovery, it is crucial to avoid wrapping it too tightly to prevent circulation issues. Check for warmth and mobility in your fingers, ensure the wrap is not placed over the wrist joint, and gradually resume activities without becoming dependent on the support.
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Finish with a tight pull
When taping a sprained wrist, it is important to finish with a tight pull to ensure the wrist is secure and stable. This final step will help compress the wrist, reducing swelling and providing support to aid in the healing process.
To finish with a tight pull, first check the skin above the edge of the tape. If the skin is puckered, the tape is too tight and should be loosened slightly. A slight puckering of the skin is normal, but deep wrinkles indicate that the tape is too tight and may be restricting blood flow.
The tape should be pulled tight enough to provide compression and support, but not so tight that it affects blood circulation or causes numbness. A good indicator of this is to check the warmth of the fingers and ensure they can be wiggled easily. If the fingers feel warm or numb, the tape may be too tight and should be loosened.
Additionally, it is important to ensure the wrist can still flex and move after taping. The tape should provide stability while still allowing for a healthy range of motion. This is crucial for athletes, as it enables them to continue their sport while managing their injury.
Finally, it is important to note that the duration of wrist wrapping depends on the severity of the injury. While taping can protect the wrist and improve recovery, overusing tape can hinder muscle recovery and strength. Therefore, it is recommended to seek professional advice for more serious sprains and to consider alternative options such as a wrist splint.
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Check the wrist can flex and the skin isn't puckered
To check that the wrist can flex, the person should attempt to bend their hand down at the wrist, so their palm faces towards their arm. This is called wrist flexion. If the wrist is functioning normally, the person should be able to move their hand until their palm faces upwards—this is called extension. If the wrist is unable to flex, or the person is experiencing pain when attempting to flex, this may indicate a sprain or another wrist injury.
To test wrist flexion, the person can try a wrist flexor stretch. This involves putting the forearm on a table with the hand hanging off the edge and a towel or other soft object under the wrist. The person should then move their palm towards the underside of the table until they feel a gentle stretch. They can use their other hand to gently push if necessary. The person should hold this position for a few seconds, then return to the starting position, and repeat.
To check that the skin isn't puckered, the person should visually inspect the skin just above the edge of the tape. If the skin is puckered, this means the tape is too tight and is affecting blood circulation. The tape should be loosened or removed to prevent further complications.
It is important to note that taping a sprained wrist is only appropriate for mild sprains. For moderate to severe sprains, it is important to seek medical attention and get an accurate diagnosis to avoid future complications.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a wider rigid tape (38mm) to support a sprained wrist.
The tape should be pulled tightly across the wrist, but be careful not to wrap it too tight under the wrist, as this can affect blood circulation and sensation.
Check the skin above the edge of the tape; if it's puckered, the tape is too tight.
Check that your wrist can still flex after taping.
Start at the side of your wrist and pull the tape tightly across.
