How to Wrap Injured Knees

When you have injured your knee, wrapping it to keep it protected can save you from extra pain and stress on the joint. If the pain or swelling is extreme, or if your knee shows no signs of getting better, check with your doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic wrap
• Safety pin (optional)

Instructions

Protecting Your Knee

1. Begin behind the knee. Holding one end of the bandage in place, start looping the bandage around the front of the knee, then the back, until you've gone around 3 times in the same spot. This initial wrap will begin to reduce the swelling. Keep the bandage tight around the joint, but not so tight that you lose circulation.

2. Wrap the top portion of the knee next. With the same motion used in Step 1, wrap 2 to 3 times around the top of the knee, applying the same pressure. Leave no gaps where skin is exposed.

3. Perform the same action around the base of the knee, remembering to constantly overlap the bandage. With any excess bandage, secure the kneecap area further. The pressure should make it challenging to bend the knee, but not unmanageable.

4. Secure the entire bandage either with the supplied metal bracket or with an ordinary safety pin. Try walking or running with the bandage on to make sure you still have range of movement without the wrap shifting.

5. Decrease your physical activity. The knee needs time to heal, and the bandage will only reduce swelling if you spend time recovering.

References

• Wrapping a Joint