User guide
Use PhysioWrap SPORT for the treatment of soft tissue injuries: damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons and capsular or cartilaginous structures.
Directions
- Pull off a small amount of PhysioWrap SPORT and hold in place during first wrap (film will only stick to itself).
- Before applying ice, loosely wrap injured area, ensuring it is well covered to provide protection from ice burn.
- Place ice pack on injured area and continue wrapping, holding central core with thumb to stretch wrap to desired level of compression.
- To allow for swelling do not apply wrap at full stretch and always ensure that it overlaps the previous layer.
- Film will continue to tighten after wrapping; allow for this when tensioning for compression.
- Wrap until the ice pack is secure.
- Film breaks readily when unstretched. Angle to 45 degrees from direction of wind and pull to break; smooth down loose end to seal.
- When treatment is complete unravel film to remove.
- To replace an empty roll squeeze the split end of the dispenser together with one hand while pushing the empty core off with the thumb of the other hand. Slide on a new roll with the protruding end of the core towards the handle.
Precautions
- Do not use PhysioWrap Sport in direct contact with broken skin or an open wound. If applying cold or compression therapy to an open wound, always place a sterile protective layer (dressing or gauze) between the wound and the film.
- This treatment should only be applied after the possibility of severe injury has been ruled out. If severe injury is suspected, the patient should be referred immediately to Accident & Emergency or a suitably qualified medical practitioner.
- The use of PhysioWrap Sport in conjunction with any medicinal products must be under medical supervision and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Compression guidelines
- Do not apply compression when the patient is lying down or when the injured limb is elevated.
- Always apply the wrap distally to proximally (that is, start furthest away from the torso and wrap up towards the centre of the body) with even pressure throughout.
- For maximum compression effectiveness the wrap should be applied a minimum of 15cm below and above the injured area.
- Over-compression may restrict blood circulation leading to tissue damage; check extremities and distal areas regularly for signs of cold and pallor.
- With continuous compression, replace the wrap at least every 24 hours.
Cold therapy guidelines
- The most effective period for ice application is 20-30 minutes every two hours. Do not exceed 30 minutes continuous application.
- When applying cold therapy to areas with little sub-cutaneous fat and regions of superficial nerves (such as knees and elbows) reduce the application time to no more than 10 minutes or apply insulating material between the ice pack and the skin.
- If nerve damage as a result of injury is suspected, or if there is a history of reduced skin sensation, application of cold therapy should not exceed 20 minutes, and the skin condition should be checked every 5 minutes.
- Application of cold therapy is not recommended for people who have poor circulation, peripheral vascular disease, sickle cell anaemia or diabetes or those who have previously suffered cold-induced hypertension. Avoid use on skin that is insensitive to temperature.
- Participation in sporting activity immediately after ice application is not recommended.