If you’ve sprained one or more of your major knuckles, you’ll need to limit the movement of the fingers while the ligaments in the joint heal. Here’s a straightforward taping technique that will help.
The major knuckles are the joints where the fingers join the hand and are medically known as the metacarpophalangeal joints (or MCP Joints.) The joint has several attached ligaments that are involved in moving the fingers, and these ligaments can be damaged when there is trauma to the hand. (For instance, a heavy impact or falling onto the hand.) Typical symptoms of a knuckle sprain are pain, swelling and discolouration in the area of the knuckle.
This taping technique aims to limit the movement of the affected finger and to support it while the knuckle heals.
Equipment Required
- 1.25cm Zinc Oxide Tape
- Scissors (optional, you can usually tear this tape by hand)
Taping Instructions
Step 1: Circle the hand once with the zinc oxide tape. The tape should run all the way around the hand, just above knuckles, as pictured. It does not need to be tight – just lay it onto the skin. This is the anchor for the rest of the tape job
Step 2: Start a strip of tape on the anchor at the thumb side of the affected knuckle. Bring the tape up to diagonally cross the knuckle onto the first joint of the finger. From there, loop the tape around the base of the finger, to come up on the other side of the finger. Finally, bring the tape back down across the knuckle. The tape should cross itself on the knuckle. Finish the strip of tape on the anchor.
Step 3: Lay another strip of tape on top of the strip from step 2. Follow the same path up and across the knuckle, around the base of the finger and back down across the knuckle. Basically, you’re looping the finger with tape to hold it so it can’t bend at the main knuckle. If more than one knuckle is injured, then add these tape loops to all of the affected fingers.
Step 4: Finish by laying another circle of tape all the way around the hand directly on top of the anchor from step 1
Ready to Try It?
Head over to our online shop and buy yourself a roll of 🔗 1.25cm zinc oxide finger tape. It’s literally the only thing you need!
Physical Sports Limited sells first aid and medical supplies for the treatment of sports injuries. | www.Physical-Sports.co.uk | 01943 662 155
[…] and the hand to help the soft tissues heal after a thumb sprain. The principle is the same as the sprained knuckle taping technique we have already described in this blog. You use loops of tape around the thumb that attach to the […]
This decreased my pain a lot. Thanks
This helped more than anything else I’ve tried! Thanks so much!!
Knuckles swollen but no pain ,bruising or limited hand function just some stiffness!?
Knuckles swollen but no pain ,bruising or limited hand function just some stiffness!?
mine is swollen with a lot of pain, heard pop when I injured it. Doctor did nothing. said come back if not better in 2 weeks. should have come here a week ago though. wait and see if this helps.
Thank you for the information – very helpful
Put up with discomfort for nearly a month “,just take Panadol ” I was told. This technique gave me considerable relief, will keep it up until healing is done. Thank you for the info.
So far it’s is helping with limiting time but I still can’t recover for my championship game tonight. Thanks for the helpful tips
Great info. Thanks!!!
How long for a sprain knuckle to heal?
That really depends on how severe the sprain is.
would this help if the swelling is right below the knuckle where the tape is shown on step 1?
would this help if the swelling is right below the knuckle where the tape is shown on step 1?
Please reply to this comment (not the above one) as I have clicked to receive emails to me on this one. Thank you.
It is certainly worth a try.
May God bless you for taking the time to post this, it is exactly what I needed.
Thank you!
How long should you leave the strapping on the hand at any one time?
To be honest, this technique doesn’t cover that much skin so you’re probably OK to leave it on all day. Just keep an eye on the condition of your skin and give it a rest from the tape if you notice any irritation.
How do do this taping technique on my pinky knuckle?
Just like in the pictures – anchor strip around the hand, then loops coming off the anchor to pick up the finger.
Amazing!!! Thank you!
my left index knuckle and finger is swollen about 6 months dr said deal with it nothing he can do. know i have a small lump palm my hand by my thumb will this help?
Just wanted to say by far the best little tutorial on taping i found for sprained knuckles. Tried a brace and buddy taping for a month before finding this, and after a few days already feeling much better.
what if i’m trying to tape my pinky knuckle?
Do the same thing, more or less. You just have the tape loops starting on the other edge of the hand. Might be a bit more fiddly, but try it and see if it works.
How much tension should we have on the tape that circles around the fingers? Should the knuckle be fully immobilized or just less easy to move? Thanks!
What if the trauma and swelling is to both the pointer and middle knuckle areas?
If I have two adjacent knuckles affected, should I tape around both together, or wrap them individually?
Will this stabilize the index finger knuckle for a radial collateral ligament sprain/tear?
I have ultrasound confirmed ligament damage in index knuckle and index finger first joint and completed 7 weeks of buddy taping, then splinting. A couple of days after removing the splinting/tape the instability and pain is even worse. I’m not sure what to do next.