Taping for Tennis Injuries

Teri LaSalle, MS, PT, SCAT, ATC, CSCS

South Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association

Annual Symposium

12 July 2019

I have no disclosures to report.

Dr. Jack Hughston had a favorite saying he lived by. “As long as you’re green you’re still growing. Once you’re ripe you’re next to rotten. “

Objectives

1. After attending this session attendees will have learned the rationale behind leukotape unloading for muscle strains and TFCC injuries and bumper taping for blisters in tennis.

2. After attending this session attendees will be able to demonstrate leukotape unloading for muscles strains and TFCC injuries.

3. After attending this session attendees will be able to demonstrate blister bumper taping.

Leukotape Unloading Rationale:

Muscles strains- Shortening the fibers of a muscle that has been strained helps decrease stress while healing.

TFCC injuries- Shortening soft tissues on the ulnar side of the wrist and blocking and redirecting forces away from extreme end ranges of supination, ulnar deviation and extension protects and supports the ulnar side of the wrist without inhibiting other motions.

Leukotape Unloading Materials:

• Alcohol wipe(s) to remove lotion, sunscreen, oil, dirt or sweat as needed

• Tape adherent as needed (recommended for athletes who are heavy sweaters or anyone playing in hot, humid conditions)

• 2 pieces of Cover-Roll

• Leukotape strips (1/2 the width of the tape for muscle strains and 1/3 the width of the tape for TFCC injuries)

Leukotape Unloading

Materials (continued):

• Baby powder as needed if tape adherent is used

• Scissors if cover-roll and leukotape have not been pre-cut

• +/- 1/8 inch closed cell firm adhesive foam TFCC gutters (2, 1 cm wide)

Leukotape Unloading

Leukotape Unloading VERY SPECIFIC FOAM:

School Health- Item Number 29040

Foam Adhesive Firm 1/8” Closed – Cell

6” x 24“ sheets

$13.90 per sheet

Leukotape Unloading Method:

• Prepare skin.

• Place one piece of cover-roll over the painful muscle. The center of the cover-roll should be placed over the spot that is most tender. Okay to mark this center point as needed.

• Apply two longitudinal strips of leukotape without tension. These are the anchor strips.

Leukotape Unloading Methods (continued):

• Apply diagonal strips of leukotape from anchor to anchor holding one end of the strip with one thumb and using the other hand to lift the skin. Pull towards the painful area creating a wrinkling of the skin. This is the unloading.

• Apply two additional longitudinal strips with no tension as finishing anchors.

• Cover with the second piece of cover-roll.

• Use baby powder to take away “stickiness” if tape adherent was used.

• The tape should be removed immediately after activity.

• If the skin is red/irritated apply zinc oxide or milk of magnesia.

Leukotape Unloading

Leukotape Unloading

Leukotape Unloading

Modifications for TFCC injuries:

• Wrap a piece of cover-roll around the wrist.

• Apply two longitudinal anchor strips (1/3 the width of the tape) ulnar side of the wrist- one dorsal and one palmar. No tension.

• Place two pieces of foam adjacent to the two longitudinal leukotapestrips (one on each side of the ulna). The purpose of the foam is to disperse force and avoid direct pressure from the tape.

• Apply diagonal strips (1/3 the width of the tape) with tension and two additional longitudinal strips with no tension.

Leukotape Unloading Modifications for TFCC injuries (continued):

• To block extension, palm down with the wrist in neutral, place one strip 1/2 the width of the tape distally on the dorsal side applying equal pressure on both ends of the tape.

• To block ulnar deviation, wrist in neutral, place one strip (1/2 the width of the tape) distally on the ulnar side applying equal pressure on both ends of the tape.

• To block supination, palm down with wrist in neutral, place one strip (1/2 the width of the tape) distally starting on the palmar surface of the ulna, then going over the dorsal surface pulling into pronation.

Leukotape Unloading

Modifications for TFCC injuries (continued):

• +/- Cover lightly with lightplast pro, other flexible tape or the athlete may just choose to wear a wrist band over the tape.

• Okay to initially start with no foam gutters and no blocking strips and see how the athlete responds (pain and function).

Blister Bumper Taping

Rationale:

Provide pressure relief and reduce friction to decrease pain and allow the athlete to participate in activity.

Blister Bumper Taping

Materials:

• Alcohol wipe(s) to remove lotion, sunscreen, oil, dirt or sweat as needed

• Tape adherent as needed (recommended for athletes who are heavy sweaters or anyone playing in hot, humid conditions)

• Skin lube, Vaseline, second skin or non-adherent pad to cover the blister(s)

• 1/8 inch closed cell firm adhesive foam – one strip 1 cm wide with diagonal slits

Blister Bumper Taping

Materials (continued):

• Cover-Roll - number of pieces, length and width dependent on size and location of blister

• Baby powder as needed if tape adherent is used

• Scissors if cover-roll and foam have not been pre-cut

Blister Bumper Taping

Blister Bumper Taping VERY SPECIFIC FOAM:

School Health- Item Number 29040

Foam Adhesive Firm 1/8” Closed – Cell

6” x 24“ sheets

$13.90 per sheet

Blister Bumper Taping

Method:

• Prepare skin.

• Place layer of protection over the blister.

• Surround the blister with strip of foam.

• Apply pieces of cover-roll as needed to cover the foam and prevent reinforcement/reapplication during activity. More is better!

Blister Bumper Taping Method (continued):

• Advice: If taping the plantar surface of the foot cover-roll needs to extend to the dorsum of the foot. If taping the back of the heel cover-roll needs to extend to the metatarsals and even plantar surface of the foot.

• Use baby powder to take away “stickiness” if tape adherent was used.

• Consider coating foot with baby powder and/or put baby powder in the sock to absorb moisture during activity.

• Consider having the athlete wear socks inside out to have the smooth side of the sock against the skin -not the “nubby side”.

Blister Bumper Taping

Blister Bumper Taping

References 1. Stroia K, Baudo M, Martin K. An unloading tape technique for rectus

abdominus strains. Medicine and Science in Tennis. September 2007; 2.

2. Stroia K, Baudo M, Martin K. Taping Techniques for TFCC and ECU Injuries on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Medicine and Science in Tennis. 2009; 14 (1).

Stay Green and Growing!