How to Tape an Ace Bandage Inside the Thigh by the Knee

For joint injuries, such as those in the knee, wrapping the area with an elastic bandage like an Ace bandage wrap, can provide relief from swelling and pain. The bandage can also limit mobility in the joint, which can help prevent further injury. Wrapping up an injured knee often requires you to tape the bandage to your thigh, where it can hold in support of the mobile joint and alleviate the effects of your injury until it heals or you can consult a medical professional for other advice.

Things You'll Need

• Ace bandage
• Athletic tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Line up the loose end of the rolled Ace bandage so the top of the strip sits about ½- to ¾-inch below where your knee bends. Bend your knee slightly so you don't wrap it into a locked position.

• 2

  Wrap the bandage around the same area so it overlaps itself completely; this holds the first loose end in place.

• 3

  Gradually wrap up over your knee and onto your thigh. With each pass, overlap the bandage at least 1/4 the way down, to cut back on the loose edges and ensure a tight hold.

• 4

  Wrap the bandage with only light to moderate pressure on the injured area. Wrapping too tightly can result in increased swelling, numbness and pain in the area.

• 5

  Continue to wrap until the other loose end of the roll rests on your thigh just above the knee. The end is more secure if it sits on the inside of your thigh, where it is less likely to catch on anything, but this may not always be the case.

• 6

  Tape the end of the Ace bandage to your skin, or to itself, using athletic tape. Athletic tape is less likely to pull at your skin or painfully pull out hair when you remove it later.

• 7

  Stand up and test the resistance of the bandage on your knee. Remove the tape and loosen or tighten the bandage as necessary until you are comfortable and the joint is properly supported.