Tubular Bandages, Stockinette Dressings, & Elastic Tube Netting

A tubular bandage can provide mild compression and is ideal for injured, tired, or weak ligaments, like the fingers. To apply a tubular finger bandage, start by measuring out the length you’ll need for your finger and cut it to size. Next, slip it onto the finger that is in pain. It should be firm but not too tight. Secure it in place by either folding it over and tying a knot, or securing it with a pin, clip, or bandage tape. Once you have successfully placed and secured the bandage, you should check once more to make sure it isn’t restricting blood flow or causing discomfort. If you are putting the tubular bandage on someone else, test the rest of the finger by pushing gently on it to see if it turns pale. If so, circulation should be fine.

A tubular bandage is designed to go around fingers and toes to support the joints when injured or broken. They are not actually bandages but are meant to help hold bandages in place. It can be tricky to bandage fingers and toes so a tubular bandage helps secure the bandage in place and protect the damaged joint so it can heal. A tubular elastic bandage is made of a seamless fabric with some stretch so you can easily pull it over the affected extremity. The tubular bandage should fit snugly over the finger or toe.

A tubular stretch bandage should feel a little snug but never restricting. It needs to be tight enough to hold the dressing in place but not so tight that it restricts blood flow. After you apply a tubular bandage, ensure you can still feel the finger or toe that is wrapped. If you are applying it to someone else, be sure to check for circulation problems immediately. This can be done by gently pressing against the skin of the finger or toe that is still exposed. If the skin turns pale, circulation is fine. If the skin is already pale and there is no change, the dressing may be too tight and could cause damage. In this case, you should remove it and start over with new materials and be sure to wrap them a little less tightly.

A stockinette is essentially a mesh tube often used as a cast liner or to hold bandages, wound dressings, and medical devices such as IV tubes in place. Most commonly, a stockinette splint and cast liner is the first layer applied before when setting a broken limb. Cast padding is then added to protect the skin from the hard finish of the cast. Finally, the cast is applied. The stockinette makes it easier to add the second layer and helps to keep both the second layer and cast in place. It also acts as a barrier to protect the skin which is susceptible to chafing when a cast is in place.

An elastic wrap or gauze roll must be secured in some fashion as they are one continuous strip while a tubular bandage conveniently slips over a wound dressing and stays in place without the need for added clips, pins, or adhesives. Often confused with traditional gauze rolls, tubular gauze rolls are basically tubular bandages on a large roll offering bulk savings and can be conveniently cut to size as needed.

A cast liner is also known as a stockinette. It is the first layer applied to a broken or sprained limb before cast padding and the actual cast are placed. A cast liner does not offer compression. It simply protects the skin from the chafing caused by casts. They can also help the skin keep cool and dry, absorbs moisture, and prevent odor.