Even if you're not prone to knee injuries, knowing how to wrap a knee correctly will prove to be a handy skill if you or one of your friends or family members suffers a knee injury. You may be able to help them stabilize their knee before they can get appropriate medical care. Especially for those that are heavily involved in sports, twisting or spraining the knee is a relatively common, albeit painful and inconvenient, injury. For joint twists or sprains, including minor knee injuries, most doctors recommend the R.I.C.E method of treatment. R.I.C.E. is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Following this simple method can help the injured person until he or she can get appropriate medical care for the injury.http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/knee-problems-and-injuries-home-treatment

Knee pain may be the result of an injury. Common knee injuries include a torn ACL or anterior cruciate ligament. The ACL connects the tibia to the femur and is primarily torn while experiencing quick or abrupt changes in direction. Another common injury is damage to the meniscus. This is the cartilage that enables the knee to evenly distribute weight. A rapid twist while bearing weight is generally the cause of a torn meniscus.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/knee-pain/DS00555/DSECTION=causes

Most home first aid or sports medicine kits will contain some sort of elastic or tensor bandage. If you can't find one, ask someone to head to your local drugstore to get you one. Avoid putting pressure on your knee whenever possible until it has healed, or at the very least, until you have wrapped it. If you have a recurring knee injury or your doctor has recommended that you wrap your knee regularly, you may want to consider spending the extra money to get yourself an elastic knee sleeve. These can be purchased at most drug stores or sporting goods stores. They may be slip on or fastened with velcro. If wearing one for long periods of time, be sure that it is secure and comfortable. http://www.footsmart.com/Lower-Body-Products-Knee-Wraps.aspx

There are several ways in which you can wrap your knee. If using an Ace bandage or other loose bandage, it is important to learn how to wrap it so that it stays comfortable and secure. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/gary3.htm

1. Sit down and elevate your injured leg on a table or chairhttp://firstaid.webmd.com/knee-injury-treatment
2. Take one end of the bandage and hold it against your leg, about two inches below the knee
3. Wrap the bandage diagonally up and across the knee and then around the back of the leg above the knee
4. Wrap the bandage diagonally down and across the knee, and then around the back of the leg below the knee
5. You should now have an "X" across the front of your knee
6. Repeat steps three and four above, changing the angle of the bandage slightly so that each wrap overlaps the previous one and covers a greater portion of the knee
7. Repeat the above step as many times as necessary until you have reached the end of the wrap
8. Secure the end of the wrap with the clips provided with the wrap or a safety pin

• The bandage should not be wrapped so tight that it causes discomfort or restricts circulation. You should be able to easily slide two fingers between your knee and the bandage. You should remove the bandage and try wrapping it again if:

1. The bandage feels uncomfortably tight
2. Your knee is more painful than before you wrapped it
3. The area directly above or below the bandage becomes numb or swollen or changes color

• Wrapping a twisted or sprained knee with an elastic bandage may help reduce swelling and provide support for your injured joint. If the pain gets worse or persists without abatement for more than two or three days, visit your doctor to make sure you have not suffered a more serious knee injury.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.