Ready-to-use bandage self-adhesively coated on one side for relieving and functionally restricting the elbow joint, having a substantially rectangular central part A which is at least partially inelastic in the transverse direction of the bandage and on which there are respectively arranged, directed upwards and downwards seen in the longitudinal direction, two elongate strips B, C, D and E.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a ready-to-use bandage which has a self-adhesive 
coating on one side and which is used for supporting and functionally 
restricting the elbow joint. The relief of the joint brought about as a 
result is used in particular for the treatment of extension trauma, 
irritations, for example of the capsular ligament apparatus, complaints 
concerning overstraining of the M. biceps brachii, M. brachialis, M. 
brachioradialis or Epicondylitis radialis. 
The functional bandaging technique, so-called taping, is a common treatment 
method for the prevention and therapy of injuries, disorders and changes 
of the locomotor system. The aim of taping is to simulate specifically the 
individual soft parts and capsular ligament structures and selectively 
support their functions. 
The tape bandage is applied in the form of several bands, so-called straps, 
in strip formation, using preferably inelastic material, sometimes 
combined with elastic material, and then performs the functions of 
supporting and relieving. 
However, bandages of this type require specialist ability and a great deal 
of experience and therefore cannot generally be applied by someone 
inexperienced in taping. 
DE-C 195 12 013 discloses a self-adhesive ready-to-use bandage which makes 
application easier and is intended for supporting and partially fixing the 
elbow joint, comprising an elongate strip which has an incision on one 
side in the longitudinal direction approximately up to the centre of the 
strip. Such a bandage is not suitable, however, for all indications 
encountered in medicine, in particular it is not designed for restricting 
the extension of the joint. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the invention was therefore to develop a ready-to-use bandage 
which, by virtue of its configuration, supports and relieves the elbow 
joint and makes it possible to restrict the extension of the joint. 
This object is achieved by a bandage which is coated on one side with a 
self-adhesive and has contiguous elongate strips, which are elastic in the 
longitudinal direction, for relieving and functionally restricting the 
elbow joint, comprising a substantially rectangular central part A having 
two opposite transverse sides and two opposite longitudinal sides; said 
elongate strips being arranged on each of said transverse sides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The central part A is preferably of an inelastic design, seen in the 
transverse direction of the bandage, but may also be only partially 
inelastic, for example in such a way that the material is elastic or 
extensible in this direction, but has inelastic reinforcing strips. In the 
applied state, the part A is intended to run substantially in the 
longitudinal direction of the arm, as will be shown later. The transverse 
direction is thus the effective direction of this part of the bandage. 
The central part A has as a whole, or at least partially, a maximum 
elongation under tensile force of less than 30% in the transverse 
direction of the bandage. 
The strips B, C, D and E may be arranged on the part A at an angle .alpha. 
of from 30 to 150.degree., with respect to the transverse direction of the 
bandage, all variations in the alignment of the respective strips being 
possible. They are, however, preferably perpendicularly disposed on the 
central part A, i.e. the angle .alpha. is 90.degree. and the four long 
strips run parallel to one another. 
The length of the strips is predetermined by their application technique, 
which is described more precisely further below. By way of example, the 
length of the bandage is altogether about 80 cm and it is about 12 cm 
wide. At the same time, the central part A is about 8 cm long and about 12 
cm wide and the strips B, C, D and E are about 35 cm long and about 6 cm 
wide. Depending on the relative size of the arm to be bandaged, they may 
also be longer and wider or, if appropriate, be shortened. Furthermore, 
the strips (straps) may be differently designed, for example they may vary 
in thickness, width, length or the characteristic textile-related 
technical data. 
The bandage is designed altogether in one piece, it either being cut out or 
punched out as a whole from a larger piece of bandage material or being 
joined together from individual parts. 
It is particularly preferred for it to consist of a textile material which 
is extensible or elastic in one direction, i.e. the direction which is 
later the longitudinal direction of the bandage, preferably of a woven or 
nonwoven fabric which is extensible or elastic in this direction, in 
particular on a cotton base, having a maximum tensile strength of 
preferably at least 60 N/cm and an extensibility under loading of 10 N/cm 
of up to about 90%, preferably 10% to 80%, in the longitudinal direction. 
In the other direction, i.e. transversely thereto, the maximum elongation 
under tensile force should be at most 30%. 
The material is at the same time aligned in the bandage such that the 
central part A is at least partially inelastic in the transverse direction 
and the strips B, C, D and E are extensible or elastic in the longitudinal 
direction. In the transverse direction, these strips are preferably 
inelastic. They may, however, also have elasticity or extensibility in 
this direction. 
It has proven very favourable if a clearance in the form of a triangle is 
located at the inner end of the incision between the strips D and E, i.e. 
at the point of intersection of A, D and E. In this way, the fit of the 
bandage is improved and application made easier. The triangle is applied 
in such a way that its base runs along A transversely with respect to the 
longitudinal direction of the bandage and its vertex, pointing downwards, 
represents the end of the incision between D and E. It is preferably 
isosceles and also approximately equilateral. Its surface area is about 12 
cm.sup.2 and its corners may be rounded off. Other forms of clearance are 
also possible however. It is also possible to dispense entirely with the 
clearance or to provide only a small clearance. 
There is advantageously likewise a small clearance at the inner end of the 
incision between the strips B and C, in order to prevent tearing. 
On its side facing the skin, the bandage is coated with one of the known 
readily adhering self-adhesive compositions based on rubber or synthetic 
polymers. These should preferably be air-permeable and 
water-vapour-permeable and should have good skin compatibility. 
Until the bandage is used, the adhesive layer may be covered with a sheet 
material treated so as to be adhesive-repellent, for example siliconized 
paper or plastic film. 
It has proven favourable in this case to design this covering in several 
parts, preferably in 5 parts, by means of, for example, perforated 
separating lines. In this case, one part coverings the central part A and 
4 further strip-shaped parts covering the narrower strips B, C, D and E. 
As an aid to application, the covering parts may be colour-marked or 
numbered. 
When applying the bandage to the angled arm, the central part A is firstly 
fixed on the lateral side of the joint. This takes place in such a way 
that the central part A bisects widthwise--that is to say in the 
transverse direction--the limbs formed by the lower arm and upper arm and 
extends over the entire elbow joint. The triangular clearance is in this 
case to be aligned such that the epicondylus remains free. This makes it 
easier to adapt the bandage when applying it. Then, the strip B is led in 
a circular motion from medial to lateral around the upper arm and 
adhesively fixed, so that it encloses at least part of, preferably the 
entire upper arm at least once. The strips B, C, D, E are referred to as 
straps. As the next strap, the strip C is applied. This runs from medial 
to lateral on the lower arm, so that it encloses at least part of, 
preferably the entire lower arm and, if appropriate, also the back of the 
hand at least once. In the case of both straps B and C, it must be ensured 
that the inner bending region of the elbow is not adhesively coveringed. 
Then the strap D is applied. It runs underneath the elbow distally to the 
lower arm and is led from there in a circular motion from medial to 
lateral. It is to enclose at least part of, preferably the entire lower 
arm at least once. 
Finally the strap E is applied by being led proximally from the lower arm 
to the upper arm and there in a circular motion coming from medial to 
lateral. 
The adhesive-repellent covering materials on the strips are successively 
removed in a way corresponding to the procedure when they are adhesively 
fixed. The bandage may additionally be strengthened by anchoring strips of 
customary tape material. 
Once applied, the bandage supports, fixes and relieves the elbow joint, the 
restriction of the joint function being ensured by the strip A, which is 
at least partially inelastic in the transverse direction, while the strips 
B and C act in a fixing and supporting way, the strip D restricts the 
stretching of the lower arm and the strip E relieves the epicondylus. In 
addition, the bandage has a proprioceptive action and consequently 
supports the mechanical restriction of the joint function. 
Simplified application of the ready-to-use bandage is also possible, 
however. In this case, the straps D and E are applied only in a circular 
motion around the lower or upper arm. By overlapping the straps B/D and 
C/E, fixing of the central part A is ensured even under severe loading. 
This overlapping can be achieved in a particularly simple way by a 
triangular shape of the covering on the self-adhesive side of the central 
part A. In this case, the straps B and C can additionally be led under the 
central part A. This strengthens the fixing. 
The bandage according to the invention is represented by way of example in 
FIG. 1, the elongate strips (straps) B, C, D and E being arranged 
perpendicularly with respect to the central part A, i.e. the angle .alpha. 
is 90.degree.. S denotes the point of intersection of A, D and E. The 
dashed lines indicate the perforation in the covering on the adhesive side 
of the bandage. 
FIG. 2 shows by way of example a longitudinally and transversely elastic 
bandage having three inelastic reinforcing strips (V), which are joined to 
the bandage in the transverse direction in the central part A. As a 
result, the central part A is partially inelastic in the transverse 
direction and consequently effective in the way according to the 
invention. 
FIG. 3 shows under a, b and c three variations of the arrangement of the 
straps B, C, D and E with an angle .alpha. of the straps D and E with 
respect to the transverse direction of the bandage of in each case about 
115.degree. at a and in each case about 65.degree. at b as well as about 
65.degree. for D and about 115.degree. for E at c. 
FIG. 4 shows the bandage in the applied state, wrapped around in the way 
described further above.