Emergency advice

Elbow and knee bandages: 

  1. Support the injury. 
  2. Pass the bandage around the limb in figure of eight turns working from the inside to the outside of the joint
  3. Applying even pressure each time you wrap. 
  4. Check circulation beyond the bandage every 10 minutes.

Elbow and knee injuries such as sprains and strains can be supported by a roller bandage. To make sure there is effective support, bend the joint slightly and then apply the bandage in figure of eight turns. Work from the inside to the outside of the upper surface of the joint and extend the bandage far enough each side so that there is an even pressure around the injury.

What to do

  1. Support the injury and make sure it’s in a comfortable position and partly bent.

    • Place the tail end of the bandage on the inside of the joint, and start passing the bandage over and around the injury.
    • Make one and a half turns so the tail end of the bandage is fixed and the joint is covered.
  2. Pass the bandage to the inner side of the limb just above the joint. Make a turn around the limb so the upper half of the bandage is covered.

  3. Pass the bandage from the inner side of the upper part of the limb to just below the joint. Then make one diagonal turn below the joint to cover the lower half of the bandage.

  4. Continue to bandage diagonally, above and below the joint injury in a figure of eight pattern. Extend the area of the bandage each time you wrap the bandage around the joint.

  5. To finish the bandage, make two straight turns around the limb and secure the end of the bandage with a safety pin or adhesive tape.

  6. Check the circulation beyond the bandage as soon as you’ve finished and recheck every 10 minutes.

    • To do this press the skin beyond the edge of the bandage and check that colour returns to the skin within 2 seconds.
    • If necessary, loosen the bandage and reapply.

Browse our first aid products:

First aid dressings, bandages and tape

First aid dressings, bandages and tape

Shop now


 

Our training courses:

First aid courses

First aid courses

View


Related first aid advice

Strains and sprains

Injuries to the soft structure around the bones and joints are commonly called strains and sprains. They are often associated with sports activities.

How to bandage a hand

When you have hurt your hand, you can use a roller bandage to hold a dressing in place, or to support a sprained wrist. Find out what to do.

How to put on a bandage

Bandages can be used to support injured joints, secure dressings and control bleeding.

St John Ambulance volunteers providing support