Contact Thumb Tape Job

Summary

This video demonstrates how to apply no-contact thumb tape to prevent hyperextension of the MCP joint. The process involves creating anchors, hoods, and ribbon strips for support, ensuring that the thumb retains some flexibility while being securely held in place. The method focuses on positioning the tape around the wrist, hand, and thumb, with particular attention to not restricting the thumb's range of motion. After completion, the tape application allows for movement without the risk of hyperextension, making it safe for athletes to return to play.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proper thumb tape application helps prevent hyperextension of the MCP joint, crucial for athletes.
• 😀 The athlete's hand should be in a 'can-holding' position with flexed fingers and a handshake-ready stance.
• 😀 Proximal anchors are placed on the wrist in alignment with natural wrist wrinkles, overlapping by half for stability.
• 😀 The distal anchor should be placed across the back of the hand, pancaking the hand flat and connecting to the proximal anchor.
• 😀 Hoods (sections of tape) should be applied to the thumb, ensuring they go up to the DIP joint while maintaining MCP joint mobility.
• 😀 Ensure tape overlaps by half while applying the hoods, and avoid too tight a wrap that limits thumb motion.
• 😀 The tape should cover the entire thumb, including the web area, without restricting range of motion.
• 😀 Ribbon strips (half-width tape) are used to support the MCP joint, starting from the inside of the thumb's web.
• 😀 A basket weave of three ribbon strips should be created around the MCP joint to secure the thumb, overlapping by a third.
• 😀 Re-hooding is required after applying the ribbon strips, ensuring the thumb still retains functional movement.
• 😀 Always re-anchor the tape to ensure the stability of the job, checking for proper blood circulation and thumb functionality.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the thumb tape job described in the transcript?

The primary purpose of the thumb tape job is to prevent hyperextension of the MCP joint of the thumb.

What is the starting position for the athlete during the thumb taping process?

The athlete's position is like they are holding a can with flexed fingers or phalanges, and they can also go in for a handshake.

What are the proximal anchors used for in the thumb taping?

The proximal anchors are used to start the tape job at the wrist area, aligning with the wrinkles of the wrist and overlapping by half to provide a secure foundation for the tape.

How should the distal anchor be applied in the taping process?

The distal anchor is applied around the back of the thumb's peasy form, across the hand's pad, flattening the hand, and then connecting to the back of the hand to create the first hood.

What is the purpose of the hoods in the taping technique?

The hoods are applied to provide support to the thumb joint, ensuring proper stabilization while maintaining a sufficient range of motion. They should cover the thumb's phalanges up to the DIP joint.

What should be avoided when applying the hoods during the taping?

It is important to avoid pulling the tape too tightly so that it does not limit the thumb's range of motion, especially at the MCP joint.

What are the ribbon strips used for in the thumb taping process?

Ribbon strips are used to support the MCP joint by wrapping around the protruding bone at the base of the thumb, ensuring it remains in place without restricting thumb openness.

How should the ribbon strips be applied around the MCP joint?

The ribbon strips should be placed around the MCP joint starting from the inside of the thumb's web, overlapping by a third, and creating a basket weave effect for proper support.

What should be checked after the taping is complete?

After completing the taping, the thumb's functionality should be checked by ensuring that the athlete can still move the thumb, and the circulation should be checked to ensure the tape is not too tight, causing restricted blood flow.

What is the final step in the thumb taping process?

The final step involves re-anchoring the proximal and distal anchors, ensuring everything is securely in place, and checking the taping for functionality, including ensuring the thumb cannot bend back into hyperextension.