A good bandage should tightly surround the leg on all sides, decrease in pressure from the distal to the proximal side and does not constrict the leg anywhere. Depending on the size and circumference of the leg, 8 cm or 10 cm wide bandages for dressings are best suited on the lower leg. The bandage is picked up so that the rolled up part of the bandage is on top and points outward. Only in this manner is it possible to unroll the bandage on the leg (see illustration on the left).
Further procedure:
• Unroll the bandage directly on the skin during application; pull both edges evenly in the direction of application. • Never pull the bandage away from the leg because then the guidance is lost and strangling furrows are created. • The ankle joint must be kept right-angled to apply the dressing. • The compression bandage begins above the metatarso-phalangeal joint. The heel must also be carefully bandaged. • The cavities such as the perimalleolar region are padded with hard wadding for pressure equalization.
The lower leg should be bent at a right angle during bandaging
At the knee the bandage should include the head of the fibula. Congestion in the hollow of the knee space and thus chafing of the bandage can be avoided if the lower leg is bent at a right angle during bandaging.
Generally bandage dressings have a better grip when a second bandage is applied “crosswise“ over the first bandage in the opposite direction of application, similar to the well-known Pütter cross bandaging technique.
The more the patient can move in the bandage, the greater the success of the treatment will be
A correctly applied bandage gives the patient the feeling of firm support and is found to be comfortable. Pains should subside. If pains increase or new ones occur which do not disappear while walking around, the bandage must be removed immediately.
A compression bandage achieves its full effectiveness only in conjunction with active movement. The more the patient can walk around in the bandage, the greater the success of the treatment will be.
