Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures
Prosthesis Care
Above Knee Bandaging
Position
The patient may sit or lie supine with the stump extended at the hip.
Procedure
- Begin the bandage at a point high on the outside of the hip (at the greater trochanter). Run it down and across the front on a diagonal, then bring it toward the back to cover half the end of the stump. (Fig. 1)
- Bring the bandage up, around and down over the remaining exposed stump end. (Fig. 2)
- Continue making diagonal turns. Reduce the tension on the bandages as you move up the stump. Overlap half the bandage width on each turn. (Fig. 3)
- Begin a turn around the hips by running the bandage across the front of the stump to the non-amputated side and wrap it around the waist. Be sure to keep your stump in extension (ie. a straight line with your body). (Fig. 4)
- To prevent the formation of an adductor roll, bring the bandage around the stump again high on the groin.
- Repeat the turn around the hips to reinforce the suspension and fasten the bandage with tape or safety pin.
