Emergency and Urgent Care - Neighbour Strapping

Your injury has been treated with a Strapping known as neighbour strapping, which should be worn for one week or as advised by the doctor or nurse.

To ensure a speedy recovery, it is important that you follow these instructions.

Instructions

• Remove the strapping immediately if your finger or toe becomes blue, cold, white, numb or you experience a feeling of ‘pins and needles’ – if the symptoms do not improve contact the Emergency Department for advice
• If you skin becomes red or itchy where the strapping has been applied remove it immediately and contact the Emergency Department for advice
• Avoid getting the strapping wet, as this will cause it to become loose and therefore ineffective
• DO NOT wear rings on any finger/toe on the affected hand/ foot until the injury has healed
• The affected limb should be elevated for 24 to 48 hours to reduce swelling

Pain killers

• Take simple pain killers such as paracetamol and/or ibuprofen which can be purchased from a chemist or shop
• Take the medication according to the manufacturer’s instructions

Finger/Toe movement

To avoid stiffness gentle movements of joints can be carried out - pain permitting.

Contact information

The Emergency Department Telephone: 0161 627 8926
The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH