Buddy wrapping

{{Short description|Bandaging a damaged finger or toe to a healthy one}}

{{More citations needed|date=July 2017}}

{{More medical citations needed|date=October 2021}}

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| image = Buddy-taping-finger.png

| caption = Buddy taping

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{{Image frame|content=

File:Buddy-taped toes.jpg|alt=second and third toes wrapped in padding and a bandage, leaving the big toe free

File:Buddy-taping-toe.png|alt=fourth and fifth toeswrapped in a loop of tape which crosses over the bases of the toes, with the ends overlapping onto the body of the foot.

|border=no|align=left|caption=Buddy-taping toes, using the most suitable adjacent toe to splint the broken toe}}

Buddy wrapping, also called neighbour strapping{{Cite book|last1=Darwood|first1=Mary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3-tFcv9kPAkC&pg=PA100|title=Accident & Emergency: Theory Into Practice|last2=Holt|first2=Lynda|date=2008|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-0-7020-2684-3|editor-last=Dolan|editor-first=Brian|pages=100|language=en|editor-last2=Holt|editor-first2=Lynda}} or buddy taping, is the act of bandaging a damaged or particularly a fractured finger or toe together with a healthy, uninjured one. The bandage or medical tape is usually stiff, not allowing the digits to move; the healthy digit acts as a splint, keeping the damaged one in a natural position for healing. Rest plays a major role in the healing process. Buddy wrapping may also be used for sprains, dislocations, and other injuries.

This treatment may be performed by a physician or other medical professional in a hospital, orthopedic clinic, or other medical facility. Buddy wrapping may also be used when medical help is not immediately available, for example in the wilderness. Buddy wrapping can be a temporary solution or it can be used as a treatment all by itself.

A layer of absorbent cotton or gauze is placed between the digits to prevent the breakdown of the skin with resultant ulcers and/or infection.{{Cite web |title=How To Buddy-Tape Fingers - Injuries; Poisoning |url=https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/how-to-splint-or-immobilize-an-upper-limb/how-to-buddy-tape-fingers |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Merck Manuals Professional Edition |language=en-US}} The bandage is applied loosely, in several non-encircling layers. This avoids cutting off the blood flow to the digit that a too-tight wrap can precipitate. If the damaged part is only partly fractured, e.g., a greenstick fracture, the buddy wrapping method may also be used.{{Cite web|url=http://boneandspine.com/what-is-buddy-wrapping/|title = What is Buddy Wrapping? | Bone and Spine|date = 6 August 2013}}

Fractures of the smaller toes are commonly treated by buddy taping.{{Cite journal |last1=Bica |first1=David |last2=Sprouse |first2=Ryan A. |last3=Armen |first3=Joseph |date=2016-02-01 |title=Diagnosis and Management of Common Foot Fractures |url=https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0201/p183.html |journal=American Family Physician |volume=93 |issue=3 |pages=183–191 |pmid=26926612 |issn=0002-838X}} Padding is used between the toes to keep the space dry{{cite web |title=Broken toe - self-care: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000520.htm |website=medlineplus.gov |publisher=US National Library of Medicine |access-date=30 October 2021 |language=en |date=2020-03-28}} and the toes aligned comfortably. If the toes are less comfortable when buddy-taped, the buddy tape should be removed.{{cite web |title=Broken Toe |url=https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/aa4924spec |website=HealthLink BC |access-date=8 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107215908/https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/aa4924spec |url-status=dead }}