Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preparing the thumb for taping
• Part 2 of 2: Taping your thumb
• Tips
• Warning

The most common cause for thumb taping is due to a sprain, usually caused by the thumb being bent too far back while skiing or in certain sports such as basketball, volleyball or football. When the thumb is moved beyond its normal range of motion, the ligaments can tear to some extent - severe sprains can result from completely torn ligaments, for example. Taping a sprained thumb limits the range of motion, protects against further damage, and allows the thumb to heal in a reasonable amount of time. Thumb taping can also be used preventively to prevent sports injuries.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preparing the thumb for taping

1. Determine the severity of the injury. Taping an injured thumb is helpful when it comes to a sprain, strain, or minor dislocation, but is no good idea for a broken or badly cut thumb. Sprained thumbs cause mild to moderate stabbing pain and often lead to inflammation, redness and bruising. In contrast, a broken or severely dislocated thumb is usually very painful, looks crooked and seems to move unnaturally, is accompanied by significant inflammation and internal bleeding (bruising). Such more serious injuries are not candidates for thumb taping and require immediate medical attention, often requiring a splint, cast, or surgery.
   • You should not tape a severely cut thumb. Instead, clean the wound, put pressure on it to stop or slow the bleeding, and wrap it with a bandage (if possible) before going to the hospital for an examination.
   • Buddy taping of fingers for support and protection is common for sprains, but the thumb cannot be tied to the index finger. This would put the thumb in an unnatural position with the risk of further damage. It would also prevent you from using the index finger.
2. Use an underlay for sensitive skin. Although hypoallergenic (low irritant) tape is widely available, people with particularly sensitive skin should pre-wrap their thumb and hand with a hypoallergenic backing. Underlying hypoallergenic bandages are thin and soft and intended to be applied under sports tape.
   • Do not pull the underlying material too tight, especially if you have diabetes or a circulation problem, or if the injured thumb is swollen or discolored, as this will gradually over-tighten the dressing and backing. This can lead to tissue damage.
   • Hypoallergenic underlying bandages are usually available from the same stores as sports tape, adhesive spray, and other medical and physical therapy devices.

Part 2 of 2: Taping your thumb

1. Tape over the distal joint if it is sprained. There are two joints in the thumb: the proximal closer to the palm and the distal closer to the thumbnail. The side and front loops are more for securing and supporting the proximal joint, which sprains more frequently on average. However, if the distal thumb joint is sprained or dislocated slightly, wrap a few strips of tape directly over it and connect them to the thumb anchor.
   • When this joint is injured, the tape should pull the thumb closer to the rest of the hand to prevent strain on the taped distal joint and prevent another injury.
   • There is no need to tape the distal joint if the proximal thumb joint is sprained, as you will have almost no mobility in your thumb.
   • Applying tape over the distal thumb joint is a common preventative strategy in sports such as football, rugby and basketball.

Tips

• Make sure you are not allergic to the tape, as irritation can heat the area. An allergic reaction is accompanied by redness, itching and swelling of the skin.
• Once you've taped your thumb, you can still apply ice to counteract the swelling and pain from the sprain. However, don't let the ice sit for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
• If you are careful while bathing and do not soak your taped thumb in water, it can be left in place for 3-5 days before changing.
• When removing the tape, use blunt nose scissors to reduce the risk of cutting your skin.

Warning

• Use caution when taping your thumb if you have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, as any significant reduction in circulation (from taping too tight) increases the risk of tissue damage and death (necrosis).