The most common thing that causes the thumb to be bandaged is a sprained injury, usually from bending the thumb too far back when surfing or playing sports such as basketball, volleyball or soccer. If the thumb is moved beyond its normal range of motion, some or all of the ligaments will be severed, for example a severe sprain is caused by a completely severed ligament. Wrapping the sprained thumb will limit its movement thereby protecting it from further injury while allowing for a speedy recovery. Wrapping the thumb can also be used by athletes to prevent injury.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparation Before Wrapping the Thumb
Step 1. Observe the severity of the injury
Bandaging an injured thumb is useful in cases of minor sprains, sprains, or dislocations, but it's "not" the right way to treat a broken bone or a severely injured thumb. Mild to moderate sharp pain will be felt in the sprained thumb, and is often accompanied by inflammation, redness, and bruising. In contrast, a broken or severely dislocated thumb will be accompanied by severe pain, curvature, unnatural movement, and severe inflammation, as well as internal bleeding (bruising). These injuries are more serious and cannot be treated with bandages, and require emergency medical attention, including splints, casts, and/or surgery.
- Do not bandage a badly injured thumb. It's a good idea to clean the wound, apply pressure to stop or slow the bleeding, then use a bandage to cover it (if possible) before visiting the hospital for a check-up.
- Bandaging the finger with the finger next to it or buddy taping is common for sprains. This action aims to maintain the position of the finger while protecting it. However, the thumb should not be bandaged along with the index finger as this will create an unnatural position and risk exacerbating the injury. This action will also inhibit the function of the index finger.
Step 2. Shave the hair around the thumb
After making sure the injury can be treated with a bandage, prepare a razor and shave the hair around the thumb and back of the hand (up to the wrist). The goal is to make the bandage tape stick more firmly and prevent irritation and pain when the plaster needs to be removed. In general, it is recommended that you shave about 12 hours before wrapping your thumb so that the skin irritation caused by shaving subsides when the tape is applied.
- Be sure to use shaving cream or other lubricants when shaving as these will reduce the risk of cuts or scrapes on the skin's surface.
- After shaving, your skin should be thoroughly cleaned to remove oil and sweat, then dried with a clean cloth. Do not apply any moisturizer as this will prevent the bandage from sticking well.
- Wet wipes that contain alcohol are good for cleaning the skin. Isopropyl alcohol is not only a great antiseptic, but it can also remove any excess oil or grease that makes it difficult for the tape to stick to your skin.
Step 3. Consider spraying adhesive around the thumb
Cleaning the skin with soap and water and/or alcoholic wet wipes is usually enough for the tape to adhere tightly, but consider using an adhesive spray to make sure the tape adheres tightly. Spray adhesive onto wrists, palms, and backs of hands, then allow to dry or slightly sticky. The adhesive spray will make the athletic tape easier to stick to your hands, prevent discomfort on sensitive skin, and make it easier to remove.
- Adhesive sprays can be purchased at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Your physiotherapist or athletic therapist may also provide it.
- Hold your breath while spraying the adhesive as this liquid can irritate your lungs and cause coughing convulsions or sneezing.
Step 4. Use a protective layer for sensitive skin
Even if hypoallergenic plasters are widely available, those with very sensitive skin should consider applying a hypoallergenic basecoat to their thumbs and hands. A hypoallergenic basecoat is a thin, soft bandage used under athletic tape.
- Be careful not to wrap this basecoat too tightly, especially if you have diabetes or blood circulation problems, or if your injured thumb swells or becomes discolored because this layer can attach too tightly and cause tissue damage.
- Hypoallergenic basecoats are usually sold in the same locations as athletic tapes, adhesive sprays, and other physical therapy and wellness kits.
Part 2 of 2: Wrapping the Thumb
Step 1. Wrap a layer of ballast
Place the bandage around the base of the wrist (not too tight) just below the bony prominence. This layer acts as a weight that supports and holds the bandage you put on your thumb. Before bandaging the forearm, make sure your wrist/hand is in a neutral position. Your wrists should be slightly extended back.
- Apply the ballast layer gently and carefully to prevent blood circulation problems. If it's too tight, your fingers/hand will tingle, be cooler to the touch, and turn bluish.
- You may also need to apply a layer of weight near the tip of your thumb, near its distal joint. However, this coating often causes the dressing to become loose and dirty. A weight layer around the wrist is usually appropriate for a figure 8 wrap around the thumb.
- The most suitable option for use on the thumb is adhesive tape, waterproof, inelastic (rigid), with a width of between 25 – 50 mm.
Step 2. Wrap the bandage around the sides
After applying the ballast layer, wrap the smaller tape (usually 10mm wide or up to 20mm) on the side, in the hollow where you measured the pulse just below the protrusion of your thumb. Wrap the tape by wrapping it between your thumb and forefinger. Bring the tape back down, criss-cross it with the first layer of tape and apply it with a layer of weight directly under the index finger. The tape loop should look like a band around the index finger. Make at least 2 side dressings. Your thumb should be in a neutral position, observe the resting hand for reference.
- To support and strengthen the bandage, cover the base of the thumb with 3 or 4 more layers of athletic tape.
- The bandage should not pull the thumb back until it bends. Keep in mind that the range of motion of the thumb may increase as a result of the stretched ligament. So, put the plaster bandage in a neutral position.
Step 3. Wrap the front
Once the tape is attached to the side, apply it in the opposite direction, which is called the front bandage. As the name suggests, this dressing starts at the front of the wrist/forearm, goes around the back of the thumb, and returns to the front of the wrist. Wrap the tape at least 2 times for good support, or apply more if the thumb needs more movement.
- Another way to further stabilize the thumb is to use a 50 mm tape and wrap it twice in the same direction with a layer of weight. Apply the bandage from the beginning of the tape loop on the back of your hand to the base of your palm under your thumb. Bring this weighted plaster sheet to the first joint of the thumb to support the muscle that connects the thumb to the hand.
- Thumb wraps should only be used as long as they are comfortable and do not exacerbate the injury.
- Plasters should not be placed too tightly as they can block blood flow to the thumb and make the injury worse.
Step 4. Bandage the distal joint if it is dislocated
There are two joints in the thumb: the proximal joint which is near the wrist, and the distal joint which is near the nail. Side and front dressings provide more support for proximal joints that are more likely to be sprained or injured. However, if the distal joint of your thumb is dislocated or slightly dislocated, you can wrap a bandage around it and then attach it to the weight layer on your thumb.
- If the distal joint is injured, be sure to wrap the thumb so it's closer to the other finger so it doesn't stiffen and re-injure.
- You do not need to bandage the distal joint if only the proximal joint of the thumb is dislocated because the entire thumb will be barely movable.
- Bandaging the distal joint of the thumb is a common preventative technique used by athletes in rugby, soccer, and basketball.
Tips
- Make sure you're not allergic to the plaster, as irritating your skin will only make the inflammation worse. Allergic reactions include redness, itching, and swelling of the skin.
- After wrapping your thumb, you can still apply ice to reduce swelling and pain from the sprain. Just don't apply ice for more than 10-15 minutes at a time.
- If you're careful when showering and don't wet it with water, the tape can last for 3-5 days before being removed and put back on.
- When removing the tape, use blunt-tipped scissors to reduce the risk of skin injury.
