Hi Dr Meena. I apologize as I’m sure I am understanding your question correctly. The bandage itself will help reduce swelling. Once the swelling has gone down, the bandage may need to be changed as it may no longer be of appropriate tension. This of course would depend on the function you expect the bandage to fulfill. Does this answer your question at all?
Hello, we have not chatted for a while! Great to hear from you again. No stirrups necessary or indicated for several reasons in my opinion: 1) Because we are assuming there is an injury to the paw - that's why we are applying a paw bandage:) then the sticky tape could be more problematic. 2) Because the entire paw is covered (no 2 middle toes visible) the stirrups are not needed to keep the bandage material from covering those middle toes. 3) If the stirrups are holding the bandage on (i.e. it would slip off without stirrups) then the bandage is providing support, it is not fulfilling its function (assuming that support is why the bandage was applied). I prefer to use appropriate bandaging technique (padding/tension and good bandage form) to keep a bandage on. Of course, if one is bandaging simply to cover a partially healing wound and support is not necessary, then a simpler bandage held in place with tape/stirrups would be sufficient. I hope my long winded answer makes sense!
@@focusandflourish5168 Nice to hear form you too. Personally, maybe I have never applied a distal leg bandage without stirrups. Just a few comments: 1) usually there is plenty a intact skin to apply at least on stirrup. If no space is available on the paw for stirrup application, then I would extend the bandage more proximally & apply the stirrup from distal to proximal and not the vice versa. Or maybe I would apply some circumferential adhesive tape around the proximal margin of the bandage and hair. 2) I do not think that the stirrups are applied to keep the 2 axial fingers exposed, but as an anti-slip device. Keeping the axial fingers exposed is easily achieved by properly applying the bandage. 3) I do not understand point 3. Finally, have any literature on the subject?
Hi, you make some good points 1) if you are bandaging a wound and there is still good healthy skin then those distal to proximal stirrups would work well. I do like the circumferential tape. I find it can be very helpful. 2)I agree, with a typical soft padded bandage, it is not difficult to keep the two central digits exposed. However, if the bandage is created to offer more support and restriction of motion then the extra padding required produces a bulkier bandage which is where I find the stirrups are useful (think of a Robert Jone type of bandage) 3) I reread I wrote and I can see why it was not understood! Let's see if I can do better this time. If you are applying a bandage for an orthopedic condition and you want the bandage to support the limb and offer some restriction to motion or maybe immobilization (as for a splinted bandage). If the bandage is applied in a way that it would slip or fall if the supports were not there to hold it up, then it is not fulfilling its function very well. I have seen more delayed unions and mild malunions from splinted bandages that were held in place by stirrups. 4) Literature: No just 35 years of bandaging experience. I have found that many of the texts are still using the antiquated nomenclature of primary, secondary and tertiary layers. Although I am pleased to say that I have seen a trend towards more appropriate nomenclature on other veterinary teaching (UA-cam) sites! I could go on about this topic and I have to be careful that I don't get up on my soap box!. You might have guessed that this is a subject that I am very passionate about. I have seen so many horrible problems caused by well intended bandages that were badly applied and poorly followed.
Thank you for the video, this was exactly how my vet bandaged my dogs paw, but how can I take off the bandage?
Thank you for your comment. You can simply unravel it off the leg or you can careful cut it off with scissors, but you have to be careful.
Is there any changes of swelling due to bandaging?
Hi Dr Meena. I apologize as I’m sure I am understanding your question correctly. The bandage itself will help reduce swelling. Once the swelling has gone down, the bandage may need to be changed as it may no longer be of appropriate tension. This of course would depend on the function you expect the bandage to fulfill. Does this answer your question at all?
any stirrups?
Hello, we have not chatted for a while! Great to hear from you again. No stirrups necessary or indicated for several reasons in my opinion:
1) Because we are assuming there is an injury to the paw - that's why we are applying a paw bandage:) then the sticky tape could be more problematic.
2) Because the entire paw is covered (no 2 middle toes visible) the stirrups are not needed to keep the bandage material from covering those middle toes.
3) If the stirrups are holding the bandage on (i.e. it would slip off without stirrups) then the bandage is providing support, it is not fulfilling its function (assuming that support is why the bandage was applied).
I prefer to use appropriate bandaging technique (padding/tension and good bandage form) to keep a bandage on.
Of course, if one is bandaging simply to cover a partially healing wound and support is not necessary, then a simpler bandage held in place with tape/stirrups would be sufficient.
I hope my long winded answer makes sense!
@@focusandflourish5168 Nice to hear form you too. Personally, maybe I have never applied a distal leg bandage without stirrups. Just a few comments:
1) usually there is plenty a intact skin to apply at least on stirrup. If no space is available on the paw for stirrup application, then I would extend the bandage more proximally & apply the stirrup from distal to proximal and not the vice versa. Or maybe I would apply some circumferential adhesive tape around the proximal margin of the bandage and hair.
2) I do not think that the stirrups are applied to keep the 2 axial fingers exposed, but as an anti-slip device. Keeping the axial fingers exposed is easily achieved by properly applying the bandage.
3) I do not understand point 3.
Finally, have any literature on the subject?
Hi, you make some good points
1) if you are bandaging a wound and there is still good healthy skin then those distal to proximal stirrups would work well. I do like the circumferential tape. I find it can be very helpful.
2)I agree, with a typical soft padded bandage, it is not difficult to keep the two central digits exposed. However, if the bandage is created to offer more support and restriction of motion then the extra padding required produces a bulkier bandage which is where I find the stirrups are useful (think of a Robert Jone type of bandage)
3) I reread I wrote and I can see why it was not understood! Let's see if I can do better this time. If you are applying a bandage for an orthopedic condition and you want the bandage to support the limb and offer some restriction to motion or maybe immobilization (as for a splinted bandage). If the bandage is applied in a way that it would slip or fall if the supports were not there to hold it up, then it is not fulfilling its function very well. I have seen more delayed unions and mild malunions from splinted bandages that were held in place by stirrups.
4) Literature: No just 35 years of bandaging experience. I have found that many of the texts are still using the antiquated nomenclature of primary, secondary and tertiary layers. Although I am pleased to say that I have seen a trend towards more appropriate nomenclature on other veterinary teaching (UA-cam) sites! I could go on about this topic and I have to be careful that I don't get up on my soap box!. You might have guessed that this is a subject that I am very passionate about. I have seen so many horrible problems caused by well intended bandages that were badly applied and poorly followed.