Elastic Bandage and RICE Therapy

What are Elastic Bandage and RICE Therapy

What does an elastic bandage do?

Elastic bandages come in different shapes and sizes. They generally provide support to your injury and reduce swelling while you are healing, but they can perform different functions. Your health care provider will help you to decide what is best for your protection, recovery, or rehabilitation following an injury.

What are some general tips for using an elastic bandage?

• Use the bandage as directed by the maker of the bandage that you are using.
• Do not wrap the bandage too tightly. This may cut off the circulation in the arm or leg in the area below the bandage.
  • If part of your body beyond the bandage becomes blue, numb, cold, swollen, or is more painful, your bandage is most likely too tight. If this occurs, remove your bandage and reapply it more loosely.
• See your health care provider if the bandage seems to be making your problems worse rather than better.
• An elastic bandage should be removed and reapplied every 3–4 hours or as directed by your health care provider.

What is RICE Therapy?

The routine care of many injuries includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation is RICE therapy.

Rest

Rest is required to allow your body to heal. Generally, you can resume your routine activities when you are comfortable and have been given permission by your health care provider.

Ice

Icing your injury helps to keep the swelling down and it reduces pain. Do not apply ice directly to your skin.

• Put ice in a plastic bag.
• Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
• Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.

Do this for as long as you are directed by your health care provider.

Compression

Compression helps to keep swelling down, gives support, and helps with discomfort. Compression may be done with an elastic bandage.

Elevation

Elevation helps to reduce swelling and it decreases pain. If possible, your injured area should be placed at or above the level of your heart or the center of your chest.

When should I seek medical care?

You should seek medical care if:

• You have persistent pain and swelling.
• Your symptoms are getting worse rather than improving.

These symptoms may indicate that further evaluation or further X-rays are needed. Sometimes, X-rays may not show a small broken bone (fracture) until a number of days later. Make a follow-up appointment with your health care provider. Ask when your X-ray results will be ready. Make sure that you get your X-ray results.

When should I seek immediate medical care?

You should seek immediate medical care if:

• You have a sudden onset of severe pain at or below the area of your injury.
• You develop redness or increased swelling around your injury.
• You have tingling or numbness at or below the area of your injury that does not improve after you remove the elastic bandage.