3M Australia : Healthcare : Nexcare Sports

Please select a Nexcare Product Here Sports Tape - White Professional Sports Tape - Flesh Elastic Adhesive Bandage Lite Elastic Adhesive Bandage Stretchfix Soft Casting Tape Athletic Support Wrap Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing Cavilon No-Sting Barrier Film Non-Stick Pads Steri-Strip Skin Closures Sports Back Pack Reusable Cold Pack Coban Self Adherent Wrap Microfoam - Surgical Tape

Back to Nexcare Home Prevent & Manage Injuries Injury Classification Mechanism/Cause of injury Types of tissue injuries Management of Acute Injuries Treatment aims R.I.C.E.R. method Sports Strapping Manage & prevent injuires Principles of taping Taping techniques Strapping Techniques Choose ... Acute ankle sprain Ankle wrapping Ankle strapping Plantar fascia Patella tendon Knee ligaments Thumb Fingers Shoulder 'AC' joint Shoulder injuries Management of Acute Soft tissue Sports Injuries RICER Method Rest Ice Compression Elevation Referral   Rest How? There is a need to reduce movement to allow time to assess the injury. Why? Activity continued in the presence of acute injury promotes increased blood flow and therefore increases the bleeding causing further damage and pain.   Ice How? Usual methods are: Crushed ice in a wet towel, Immersion in icy water, 3M™ Reusable Cold packs. Apply for 20 minutes, every 2-4 hours for the first 48 hours. Caution: Do not apply the ice directly to the skin as it can create a burn. Place a wet towel or apply a little oil to the skin. Do not apply to people with circulatory problems. Children have a lower tolerance to ice. Why? Ice helps to reduce the inflammatory response to the injury, reduce pain and muscle spasm.   Compression How? Apply a 3M™ Coban Self Adherent wrap or crepe bandage over a large area covering the injured area. You will need to take the compression bandage off to ice regularly but this will also give you the chance to keep adjusting the compression. This is a most important step, as compression will reduce more of the swelling from injury than the ice alone. Why? Compression reduces the bleeding and swelling and provides support for the injured part.   Elevation How? Raise the injured part above the level of the heart whenever possible. This is especially important with lower limb injuries. Why? This along with compression helps to reduce bleeding and encourages the fluid to be returned to the heart for recirculation. It also helps to reduce pain.   Referral How? Refer the injured person to an suitably qualified person as soon as practicable; Doctor, Physiotherapist, A&E centre, St. Johns etc. Why? To ascertain the extent of the injury and gain expert advice on ongoing investigations (X-ray, surgery) and management.