A compression bandage may be the most effective way to reduce swelling in the first few days after the injury. Anyone can wear it for longer if it doesn’t worsen their discomfort. Compression bandaging is applied and can be done at home. Whether worn on the wrist, ankle, or anywhere else, the steps are the same.

 

Compression therapy, whether in compression bandaging or graduated compression hosiery, is an important aspect of treating venous, eczema, or static ulcers, both as an active treatment for ulcer healing and a preventative measure against ulcer recurrence. It works by providing regulated pressure to the surface veins, keeping the diameter small, and driving blood back into the deep vein system, pushing it uphill towards the heart.

 

Applying compression bandage

 

As soon as the sprain occurs, apply a compression bandage. Wrap an elastic bandage around the ankle, like an ACE bandage, and leave it on for 48 to 72 hours. The bandage should be tight enough to compress the area but not so tight that blood flow is restricted. While sleeping, please remove the compression bandages to achieve the finest outcomes. Adjust the compression bandage as the swelling goes down.

 

It is not advisable to leave a compression bandage on overnight. Elevation, which involves lifting the damaged area above the level of the heart, also helps to reduce swelling. After an injury, anyone should wear a compression bandage for only 24 to 48 hours.

 

For people who have a newly inked tattoo on their body, wrapping the tattoo beyond the first night (putting breathable garments over it is fine as long as they don’t cause friction) will prevent air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and may cause gross stuff to develop in there. They are also advised to use adhesive medical bandages to protect and wrap their tattoo.

 

For people thinking that they can sleep with a compression wrapped on their ankle, most doctors advocate merely wrapping their ankle for support and protection during the day while continuing to ice, elevate, and rest the injury. While some people find a compression wrap soothing at night, they shouldn’t sleep with their ankle wrapped unless it provides pain relief.

 

Taking care of pain and swelling

 

Severe sprains can cause discomfort and swelling for several days. The pain may become more severe in the first 24 hours following the injury. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help us manage pain and swelling. The term “rest” refers to not putting any weight on the affected joint. If necessary, we can use crutches.

 

Cover the area with a first-aid ice bag covered in a thin, dry towel. Do this for two days, or until the swelling goes down, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Compress the damaged joint with an elastic bandage. If we do this quickly after an accident, it may help to reduce swelling. 

 

Is it necessary to wrap sprains overnight?

 

Some experts advise that we alternate between heat and cold. Keep an elastic bandage on for the following 24 to 36 hours if we have one. The bandage should be snug but not so tight that numbness or tingling occurs. Wrap the bandage around the area where we want to put them. Begin at the tip, whether in the ankle, wrist, or elbow, to rewrap them. Here are some of the things we need to remember if we have sprains:

 

For arm, elbow, wrist, or hand, we should: 

 

  • Lifting anything with our wounded arm is not a good idea.
  • Raise the hand as high as we can over the arm as many times as we can, and
  • Frequently wiggle our fingers.

 

For leg, knee, foot, or ankle, follow these steps:

 

  • Follow the directions for using crutches, a walker, or a cane.
  • When we’re resting, raise the foot higher than our knee.
  • Frequently wiggle our toes, and 
  • Do not weigh the wounded leg until our doctor says it’s safe.

 

Compression wraps: how to use them.

 

Before we start using a compression wrap, consider a few things. We know that they apply pressure to our sprains and other types of wounds, but how does a compression bandage greatly help them? We need to consider the following:

 

Compression settings: Some wrappers have a fixed compression level. A light, moderate, high, or extra-high performance wrap is available. Doctors can assist us in determining the appropriate level of compression for our injury.

 

It will wrap our injuries: Check if the bandage is clean before applying the wrap. Depending on the severity of our injury, we may need to rewrap it every few weeks. We may wish to adjust the compression level when our injury decreases.

 

Technique with four layers: Wrapping the injured body part in four layers of compression wrap is a frequent procedure. The loosest layer is the first. Each layer grows tighter until we reach the desired compression level. It can improve blood flow with the four-layer bandage approach.

 

Please don’t make the wrap too tight: It may take some time for us to adjust to the sensation of an elastic bandage for our ankle, knee, or any other part of our foot. We might think it’s too tight at first. If our wrap is around our leg, most of our discomfort will be around our ankle or foot. The elastic bandage for feet or legs may lead to new pressure on our legs. Our compression bandage may be too tight or too little if our leg hurts.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The compression bandage should not be so tight that it prevents blood flow. If the compression bandage is wrapped around the foot or ankle, check the toes; check the fingers if it’s wrapped around the wrist. The wrap is excessively tight and should be adjusted if it turns purplish or blue, is cool to the touch, or feels numb or tingly. Before going to bed, loosen the wrap.

Here at AvaCare Medical, we offer various options for compression bandages. We prioritize every customer’s needs, from silicone and liquid to conforming bandages. For more information, please email us here at info@avacaremedical.com or contact us here at 1-877-813-7799.