Tubular Bandages / Tubular Stockinettes

Tubular bandages can be found in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other medical facilities.  

What is a Tubular Bandage?

A tubular dressing can also be used as a primary bandage over a wound. It is sometimes used for support, to reduce swelling from joint sprains and strains, and can also be used to protect the skin underneath a cast. Tubular dressings are sometimes used as primary bandages over the fingers and toes, since those limbs are complicated to bandage with typical gauze. 

Types of Tubular Bandages & Dressings

There are several types of tubular bandages and dressings, and different ones are optimal for various different wounds. Standard tubular support bandages and dressings are made of either cotton, gauze, or a blend that includes elastic and cotton. 

Tubular Cotton Bandages

Tubular cotton bandages provide pressure to hold the dressings in place. They usually offer mild compression, and are a comfortable tubular bandage choice. Tubular compression bandages are ideal for individuals with arthritis or other issues that cause high compression bandages to be very uncomfortable for them. 

Tubular Elastic Bandages

Elastic tubular net support bandages or stretch net bandages also provide compression. These bandages are known to minimize or prevent lymphedema, and they can also be used over some burns to prevent scarring. (Ask your MD before applying a compression bandage tube over a burn.) These are also sometimes referred to as tubular elastic dressing retainers, when used to hold dressings in place. 

Tubular Gauze Bandages

Tubular gauze bandages or tube gauze dressings do not provide much pressure to help the blood clot. These are used as a primary dressing for fingers and toes. Tubular gauze is a very commonly applied wound covering. A tube gauze stockinette can be used for cuts, blisters, stitches, and burns. 

Safety Tips When Using a Tubular Bandage or Dressing

Here are several tips for anyone who needs to use a tube bandage or dressing. These tips will help you to use your tubular bandage to get tubular support or help your wound heal in the best way possible. For more advice as well as for personal recommendations, speak to a qualified medical professional. 

• When applying the tubular stockinette bandage, put it on from the joint above to the joint underneath the injured area. For instance, for an ankle sprain, the bandage should go from the knee to the toes.
Speak to your doctor about removing the bandage at night in order to prevent constriction or reduced blood flow. If you feel ‘pins and needles’ because of the bandage, have it removed, and contact a medical professional if you still feel the tingles after it is removed. Before reapplying the bandage, be in touch with a qualified medical practitioner and let him know what happened. Be sure to discuss with a doctor how frequently you should change the tubular padding or dressing. Do not tie the stockinette wound dressing too tight, because doing so can prevent circulation. Follow your doctor’s directions about how frequently to change the dressing in order to avoid macerated skin.

What is Skin Maceration?

Skin maceration is the result of the skin being in contact with moisture for an extended period of time. It is wrinkly and appears somewhat similar in texture to a raisin. It can feel soft, damp or soggy. Macerated skin is very uncomfortable, causes the wound to heal at a slower rate, and increases the risk of skin infection. 

The longer you need to use bandages, the more likely maceration is to occur. If your wound doesn’t seem to be healing as fast as it should, be in touch with your medical provider about additional treatment to prevent maceration. Stockinette tube dressings, like all dressings, should be changed as often as possible (while following your doctor’s guidance) to prevent maceration. 

Tubular Netting Bandage Sizes

Regular and elastic stretch net dressings or bandages come in several sizes. The three most common sizes of tubular net dressings are small tubular bandages, large tubular bandages, and extra large tubular bandages. 

Tubular Bandage Uses

There are multiple uses for tubular bandages. Tubular bandages for toes or fingers need to be a small size. Tubular bandages or tubular gauze for legs are two alternative uses. Another would be to use a tubular bandage for the wrist. Tubular gauze for arms, such as Tubigrip compression sleeves, and tube bandages for the ankle are popular too. 

Whether you need a tubular bandage for the ankle, tubular bandages for toes, tubular arm bandages, or even tubular gauze for your big toe, you can choose from the selection of various sized tubular elastic retention netting bandages. 

Tubular Compression Stockings

Tubular compression stockings, such as the popular Tubigrip compression stockings, are worn on the legs when someone is having lower leg swelling or simply needs the extra support.

If you need an elastic compression tube bandage, check out AvaCare Medical’s selection now. With a huge selection of tubular bandages and dressings, AvaCare Medical is the ultimate source for your tubular grip bandage needs. Whether it's a DermaFit or SpandaGrip tubular compression bandage, or anything else, we have what you need. If it's a quality tubular form compression bandage, you’ll find it on AvaCare Medical. Shop now!