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General information only, not medical advice. It does not diagnose an elbow problem or replace a clinician’s instructions for your injury.
To wrap an elbow with an elastic bandage, start on the forearm below the elbow, wrap toward the body with overlapping turns that are snug but not tight, secure the end with a clip or tape, and check the hand and fingers for swelling, numbness, tingling, coldness or discoloration. If any of those appear, loosen the wrap. This is the general elastic-bandage method; ask a clinician or pharmacist to show you the wrap for your injury.
What you need
- An elastic bandage. ECU Health describes elastic bandages as a common treatment for minor muscle or joint injuries, giving support and compression.
- Clips or tape to secure the end. ECU Health names both.
- A clean, dry bandage. For care of a reusable roll, see how to wash an ACE bandage.
Wrapping other joints? See the guides for a sprained wrist and a sprained ankle. A tubular alternative is covered in the Tubigrip size chart, and a sling is covered in how to use a triangular bandage.
Steps
These steps follow the general elastic-bandage method from ECU Health’s patient guide (last reviewed 1 January 2025). Apply the same general method to the elbow, and ask a clinician or pharmacist to show you the wrap for your injury.
- Start wrapping below the injury and work toward the body. For the elbow, that means beginning on the forearm and working up toward the upper arm.
- Overlap the edges of the bandage so it stays snugly in place.
- Wrap firmly, but not too tightly. ECU Health warns that a tight bandage can increase swelling on either end of the bandage.
- Secure the end with a clip or tape.
- Check circulation, especially in the fingers, and check again often.
A tucked-in end helps too: Pfizer’s wrist guide advises tucking in the end of the bandage so it does not irritate the skin.
What can go wrong
The wrap is too tight
ECU Health says to loosen the bandage if there is local swelling, numbness, tingling, discomfort, coldness or discoloration. Pfizer’s guidance for wrapping a wrist makes the same point: snug but not so tight that it cuts off circulation, and you should still be able to move your fingers comfortably.
Check-and-loosen list
| What you notice | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Swelling beyond the bandage | Loosen the bandage (ECU Health) |
| Numbness or tingling | Loosen the bandage (ECU Health) |
| Discomfort | Loosen the bandage (ECU Health) |
| Coldness or discoloration | Loosen the bandage (ECU Health) |
| Numbness, tingling or discoloration that does not go away after the bandage is removed | Call your provider (ECU Health) |
When to get professional help
- Call 999 or go to accident and emergency (NHS): you heard a crack when you were injured, or the injured part is numb, tingling or has pins and needles.
- Contact NHS 111 or a GP (NHS): severe or worsening pain, large or growing swelling or bruising, severe stiffness, a high temperature, or no improvement after treating it yourself.
- Call your provider (ECU Health): pain or swelling is not better or is worse, you have trouble moving the area, or discoloration, numbness or tingling persists after the bandage is removed.
The NHS describes compression as wrapping a bandage around the injury to support it during the day. AAOS OrthoInfo says to contact your doctor if symptoms persist. For a tennis elbow strap rather than a wrap, see the counterforce brace guide. For wound dressings rather than injury support, see bandage wrap for wounds.
FAQ
How tight should an elbow wrap be?
Firm but not tight. ECU Health says a tight bandage can increase swelling on either end, and to loosen it if you notice swelling, numbness, tingling, discomfort, coldness or discoloration. The sources give no measured tightness, so a clinician or pharmacist is the right person to show you.
Where do I start wrapping?
Below the injury, working toward the body (ECU Health). For the elbow, that is the forearm first.
When is a wrap not enough?
When you heard a crack at injury, the area is numb or tingling, pain or swelling is severe or worsening, or you are not improving. See the list above.
Sources
- NHS, Sprains and strains; checked 4 November 2026.
- ECU Health Library, Elastic bandage wrap; last reviewed 1 January 2025; checked 4 November 2026.
- Pfizer Health Answers, How to bandage a sprained wrist; checked 4 November 2026.
- AAOS OrthoInfo, Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries; checked 4 November 2026.
