Taping Tuesday: Week three - Shoulder stability

Welcome to the third edition of our regular series Taping Tuesday where Practice Principal and Claremont Football Club Head Physiotherapist Anthony McEvoy demonstrates how to tape for anterior instability of the shoulder joint.

Ensure the skin is clean and dry before applying the tape, we also recommend the use of fixomull to prevent irritation as this can be a sensitive areas. This tape is frequently used following anterior shoulder dislocations, however it is important to understand it wont necessarily prevent future dislocations but serve as a proprioceptive reminder to the surrounding musculature.

After watching the above video, some important steps to note when taping for anterior instability are:

• The Anchor – Always begin with fixomull then anchor down across the top of the shoulder and circumferentially around the biceps, ensuring the biceps is tense.
• Rotatory Stability – It is important that the tape that attempts to mimic rotatory stability run from anterior to poster to draw the humeral head back into position. Try not to make this tape linear as it has to allow good ROM and control the heavy rotation of the joint.
• Elastic Wrap – Finishing with elastic tape allows the athlete to maintain good function and stability and lock off any loose edges.
• Lock off – Using a final anchor and perhaps even a wrap around the waist to hold down the edges ensures that the tape will stay on despite sweating in the heat of battle.

Keep an eye out for more taping tips over the next few weeks and don’t forget we are able to get you in and prepare you with tape on a Saturday morning or before any of your games or to teach you how to do it your favourite athlete. Give us a call on (08) 9384 3269 or book an appointment online.