How to Wrap a Shoulder in Gauze

Shoulder injuries can put a damper on everyday activities. But if you take care to wrap it properly, an injured rotator cuff or muscle will mend with ease. Wrapping a shoulder requires wrapping part of your chest as well. Use a heavy gauze or ace bandage when preparing to wrap an injured shoulder. And don't expect to do it alone; this kind of technique requires a partner. Gauze that is four or six inches wide is recommended.

Things You'll Need

• Gauze
• Partner

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Instructions

• 1

  Use an ace bandage for more stability.

  Start by wrapping around the bicep, the area just above the elbow. Wrap at least twice around the bicep, stopping behind the arm. The gauze should be long enough to roll around the patients arm and torso at least four times.

• 2

  Move the gauze directly to the injured shoulder joint, coming from the back of the wrapped bicep and over the top of the injured shoulder.

• 3

  Roll the gauze downward and across the chest to the opposite side of the torso. It should look like the patient is wearing a pageant banner across his chest.

• 4

  Continue to wrap around the torso to the back, bringing the roll of gauze back up to the top of the injured shoulder. It should look like the patient is wearing the pageant banner across his back, too.

• 5

  Shoulder injuries are common among athletes.

  Wrap the gauze around the shoulder completely now, moving the roll from the top of the shoulder to below the underarm.

• 6

  Repeat the gauze application. Cross the front of the chest again, moving to the opposite side of the torso and around the back to the top of the injured shoulder. This is called a figure eight wrap, or spica wrap.

• 7

  Wrap the gauze around the shoulder again, rolling the gauze from the top of the shoulder to below the underarm.

• 8

  Repeat this method around the patient's sholder and chest at least four times.

• 9

  Secure the wrap with tape by following the line of the gauze application. Be sure the tape holds the gauze firmly.

• 10

  Use small metal clips if no tape is available.

  Check the compression of the wrap by sticking your first finger between the gauze and the skin at the forearm. The bicep should be able to bend. If it doesn't, the wrap is too tight.