Amputation, Below Knee: Stump Wrapping

Amputation, Below Knee: Stump Wrapping

 

Use ace wraps

  • Use a 4 or 6 inch ace wraps.
  • Re-wrap your residual limb with ace wrap every 4 to 6 hours.
  • Wash the ace wrap every 2 to 4 days. Dry flat and make sure there are no wrinkles.
  • Make sure all areas are covered.
  • Hold the wrap to keep the tension on it as you wrap it.
  • The wrap should be snug, but you should be able to easily slide a couple of your fingers under the wrap.

 

How to wrap for below the knee

  1. Start above the knee to anchor the wrap around your leg. Make a circle with the wrap around your leg.
  2. Take the wrap to the back of the leg and then across and down your residual limb. This starts the figure 8 pattern.
  3. Bring the wrap around to the front of the limb, and then across and up towards the knee.
  4. Wrap around the back of the knee and then down across the limb.
  5. Wrap around the base of the limb and then up and across towards the knee. Put more pressure at the bottom of the limb with the wrap than at the top so you do not slow blood flow to your limb.
  6. Continue to repeat steps 4 and 5 until the limb is covered. The edges of the wrap should overlap.
  7. Secure the end of the wrap to hold it in place. You can use tape or Velcro. Avoid using safety pins or clips to reduce injury to the skin.
below knee amputation stump wrapping steps

 

© 2000 – July 24, 2019, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.