1

Gradient Edema Bandaging for the Arm and HandWith Short-stretch Bandages

Correct bandaging is vital to drain fluid from the arm. Follow the steps listed here. If you have questions, please talk to your therapist.

Materials:

• Lotion (neutral pH, unscented)

• Arm stocking (stockinette)

• Scissors

• Two finger bandages (4 cm gauze), such as Transelast

• Two rolls of synthetic (human-made) cotton padding (10 cm), such as Artiflex

• One (4 cm) short-stretch bandage

• One (8 cm) short-stretch bandage

• Two (10 cm x 5 m) short-stretch bandages

• Masking tape (or extra-adhesive tape), cut into several 3- to 4-inch pieces

Note: When you bandage your hand or finger, keep each bandage in a “snail” position (the bandage rolls out from the bottom).

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please let us know. We provide many free services including sign language interpreters, oral interpreters, TTYs, telephone amplifiers, note takers and written materials.

Page 1 of 8

1. Place the stocking on your arm. To do this:

a. Put lotion on the skin of your arm.

b. Pull the stocking over your arm. It should cover your wrist and fingers.

c. Cut a small hole for your thumb.

d. Pull the entire stocking back toward your elbow. Your wrist should be bare.

2. Use a finger bandage to wrap each finger. To do this:

a. Wrap the bandage once around your wrist. Spread your fingers apart.

b. Cross the back of your hand to the base of your little finger.

c. Work up to the cuticle, then back down to the base again. (As you wrap each finger, you will start and end at the base of the finger, on the back of the hand.)

d. Wrap down around your wrist, then up again to the next finger. Repeat for all fingers.

e. Your palm should be free of bandages. Make a fist to check that your fingers and knuckles are covered. Use a second finger bandage to cover any open areas.

f. If you have any bandage leftover, wrap it loosely around the wrist.

1-c

2-b

2-c

2-d

2-e

Page 2 of 8

3. Pull the stocking back over your hand. Slip your thumb through the hole.

4. Wrap the first roll of cotton padding around your hand and up your arm. To do this:

a. Cut an X in the padding for a thumb hole. Slip your thumb through the hole. Lay the end of the padding over your thumb and palm.

b. Wrap the padding across your palm. When you reach the area between your thumb and index finger, twist the padding and wrap around the back of the hand. Repeat.

c. Wrap the padding around the wrist. Move up the arm to reach the elbow. Overlap slightly as you go.

4-a

4-b

4-c

3

Page 3 of 8

5. Roll the stocking back from the fingers and over the padding to form a cuff.

6. Wrap the second roll of cotton padding around your arm. To do this:

a. Take the end of the padding and fold it like an accordion. Make three layers.

b. Place the three layers over the crease of the elbow.

c. Wrap the rest of the padding up to the top of the arm.

7. Roll the stocking from your upper arm down over the padding.

8. Wrap the 4 cm (narrow) short-stretch bandage around the hand. Be sure to gently stretch the bandage only on the back of the hand. Do not stretch it on the sides or palm.

a. Wrap the bandage once around the wrist. Spread your fingers apart.

b. Cross the back of the hand to the base of pinkie or index finger (either is okay).

c. Wrap around the knuckles. Do this four times.

5

6

8-a 8-b 8-c

Page 4 of 8

d. On the fourth round, cross the back of the hand and angle toward the wrist. Wrap around the wrist to the outer base of the thumb (below the thumb).

e. Angle toward your little finger. Come around the palm of the hand between the thumb and index finger. Roll the bandage above the thumb.

f. Switch off crossing the hand from above and below the thumb until there’s enough pressure and the hand is fully covered. Gently wrap any left-over bandage around the wrist.

g. Tape the ends of the bandage together. (Always tape bandage to bandage, never to padding.)

8-d

8-e

8-f

8-g

Page 5 of 8

9. Wrap the 8 cm (medium) short-stretch bandage around your arm.

a. Rest your arm on a table. Wrap the bandage once around the wrist.

b. As you move up the arm, overlap by ¾ of the bandage width. Gently stretch the bandage at the sides of the arms.

c. At the point just below your elbow, change the overlap to ½ the width of the bandage. Keep the elbow straight.

d. When you reach the top of the arm, tape the bandage in place.

9-a

9-b

9-c

9-d

Page 6 of 8

10. Wrap one 10 cm (wide) short-stretch bandage around your arm.

a. Make a fist with your bandaged arm. Use the palm of your other hand to feel where the bandage loosens. (Press into the bandage starting at the wrist, then move up the arm.)

b. Follow the same steps as on page 6, but go in the other direction. Tape this bandage to the one beneath it.

c. When you are done wrapping, tape the bandage in place.

11. At the point where the bandage begins to loosen, wrap the second 10 cm (wide) short-stretch bandage around your arm.

a. Tape the end of the second bandage onto the first.

b. As you wrap arm, overlap by ¾ of the bandage width.

c. Tape the final bandage in place.

d. Check the pressure again: Make a fist with the bandaged arm. Press your other palm into the bandages. (Start at the wrist and end at the top of the arm.) If the pressure isn’t right, remove the top bandage and wrap it again.

10-b

11-c

After bandaging

Page 7 of 8

For informational purposes only. Not to replace the advice of your health care provider. Copyright © 2008 Fairview Health Services. All rights reserved. SMARTworks 520825 – REV 03/16.

Page 8 of 8