What are Short Stretch Bandages?

A short stretch bandage is a fabric compression bandage that is used to reduce swelling in a limb. It is referred to as short stretch because it does not stretch much, which has nothing to do with its length. This kind of bandage puts pressure on the skin and muscles to improve absorption of fluids. As the person moves the injured limb, usually an arm, leg, or hand, the bandage provides a massaging action on the muscles that could speed up the healing process.

These bandages are different than the typical elastic roll bandages used for athletic injuries. Those bandages are long stretch bandages, meaning that they have the ability to stretch quite far, usually more than twice their original size. Long stretch bandages do not provide the massaging effect that the short stretch bandages do.

Medical supply stores and specialty pharmacies typically carry short stretch bandages. The package labeling should describe the length of stretch. If stretch is expressed as a percentage, it should be less than 100 percent. Sometimes, the product labeling description compares the stretched length of the bandage to the unstretched length. In that case, the stretched length should be less than twice the unstretched length.

The package labeling will also give details of the materials used in the bandage. Some of these bandages use latex, which can cause allergic reactions that can be quite unpleasant. Some brands are self-adhering and others need to be fastened with clips or Velcro®. They are made from 100-percent cotton so that they can be washed and reused, and typically come in widths from 1 to 4 inches (about 2.54 to 10.16 cm) and a variety of lengths.

Like all elastic bandages, short stretch bandages need to be applied carefully so that they are tight enough to be effective but not tight enough to cut off blood flow. A person usually should begin by wrapping the bandage at the fingers or toes and working up toward the body so that the pressure is higher at the lower end. It can be important to frequently check for signs that the bandaging is too tight. If the bandaged area turns bluish, tingles, loses feeling, or feels cold, then the bandage might need to be adjusted.

Short stretch bandages are often used as one layer in a system of three or four layers of bandaging for compression treatment of patients with chronic swelling issues. These included people suffering with chronic leg ulcers, which can be caused by a wide variety of circulation problems. They are also used in the treatment of lymphedema, which is swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system.