Thumb injury prevention is a topic which is close to my heart, having suffered a major thumb injury during the my own playing days, with a fractured scaphoid. So in this weeks article of SportStraps “How to Strap” series, I’d like to take a closer look at how to strap a thumb.
How is the Thumb Injured
One of the most common thumb injuries is the ulnar collateral ligament injury, or sprained thumb injury, where the ligaments of the thumb that support the pinch or grasp activites is strained, or torn.
During a fall while playing sports, there is a natural tendancy to use the palm to cushion the impact, and sometimes the thumb can get caught in the wrong way, and cause a thumb sprain.
The thumb can also be subjected to being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, like being caught in a jumper or hit awkwardly with the ball. While the ligament can usually heal relatively quickly, if the surrounding thumb ligaments are injured repeatedly they can become weakened or stretched.
So a good thumb taping technique is important for both thumb injury prevention and to assist the player to continue playing with injury.
Below is a video showing a great technique for strapping the thumb using Sports Tape, by highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray. If you have read the previous “How to Strap” articles, who will know that Cam needs no introduction, having been a trainer for many first class clubs around the world and Australia. Enjoy!
How to Strap a Thumb
Its clear in the video, that Cam’s method is different to the old method, and gives great support to the Collateral Ligament and Thumb Joint.
In this technique the hand is in a relaxed open position, with the tape applied as follows:
- Elastic Adhesive Bandage applied in 4-5 times alternating passes, starting on the back of the hand and passing between the thumb and index finger, around the thumb and back of hand to the base of the palm.
- Finish off with Rigid Strapping Tape with the same technique with 1-2 passes, not to tight, just to hold it all together and give extra support.
As well as using the correct thumb taping technique, its also important to use quality supplies, so lets have a look at what is needed to complete the job.
What items do you need to Strap a Thumb?
To strap a thumb properly, you are going to need the following items:
Optional items you may wish to use:
$28.50
Preparation to Tape a Thumb
For the best results when thumb strapping, it is recommended to prepare the thumb by doing the following:
- Shave off any hair around the area on the back of the hand being taped (Hairy guys only).
- Ensure the hand is clean from dirt or oil.
What is the Right Tape Tension.
When taping a thumb its important comfort and to maintain usability of the thumb and hand, that the thumb is not taped too tight, or taped with the wrong technique, as it will prevent the blood flow or even worse cause the thumb to stick out and increase the risk of injury.
To strap a thumb to the correct tension, you simply need to take care to lay the Elastic Adhesive Bandage on the skin with little tape tension.
More “How to Strap” Articles?
Though this is the fourth article, there are three other articles in the SportStrap “How to Strap” series. So far we have looked how to prevent ankle, shoulder and knee injuries with some great strapping techniques.
In case you missed the articles, you can find them here:
- How to strap an ankle
- How to strap a knee
- How to strap a shoulder
- How to tape an ankle for extreme support
If you found this article helpful please complete the following:
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- Subscribe to our Newsletter below to receive more “How To” articles as released.
- Leave a comment below, to let me know:
- Your experience with strapping a thumb,
- Or any questions you have about how to tape a thumb!
- Add your “Like” to the SportStrap fan page
Have a most outstanding day,
Cade Arnel
SportStrap.com.au ©2011
Great information about what happens to a thumb when playing sports, and I love the video on how to strap it! Sure looks like it will come to good use for those that play hard – our older son is back into footy training…hope he doesnt need to know how to strap his thumb but if he does then I sure know where to send him for strapping tape!
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Glad you liked the info and video technique on how to strap a thumb.
Cheers,
Cade
Love the matter of fact down to earth tone that Cam has. It really makes you feel that you are getting thumb strapping advice from a pro. Good resource.
Hi David,
Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, Cam certainly knows his stuff, and he makes the techniques so easy to learn.
Cheers,
Cade
G’day Cade,
When I was about 16 and really starting to play piano quite well for my age, I was still playing football [ Aussie Rules ] ………….. You guessed it – my right thumb which is very important for the piano got a huge whack from the ball and I couldn’t use the hand for weeks. There was no such treatment such as Cam does to ease the pain and help the thumb back to good health, so I suffered ! When it was healed I went back to footie and 3 months later ended up with a 17 stone farmers knees BANG into my kidneys ! That was it ! Quit the game and concentrated on the piano.
HOORAY FOR CAM – wish he’d been around then.
Cheers
Harry
Hi Harry.
Aussie Rules certainly can be a game of hard knocks, and I can relate to your experiences for sure.
Good taping techniques can be great for getting though the game, specially when playing with injuries.
Cheers,
Cade
Let’s hope I never need this – but excellent, easy to understand advice on how to strap a thumb!
Hi Cade,
I hope that I don’t have to know how to strap a thumb 🙂 but with one very sporty child; it is handy info. It is also important to then use food to heal the injury so the recovery is quicker and more effective.
Regards. Eileen
Hi Eileen.
Unfortunately with sport if you play long enough, chances are you will suffer some sort of injury at some point.
So knowing ways how to help prevent or recover from injury is really important for athletes.
Your right, awareness of eating the right foods for athletes, is certainly increasing for not injury recovery, but peak performance while fully fit.
Thanks for making a good point,
Cade