Knee, Ankle, Elbow Injury? My thoughts on the ACE Elastic Bandage with e-z clips
Written: Oct 23 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It stretches, is easy to use and is washable.
Cons: The clips got lost, it moves around, doesn't offer enough support.
The Bottom Line: I can't recommend this because I am recommending a better product which ACE makes as well. It is more expensive but the stabilizer rather than bandage works better.
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| jo.com's Full Review: ACE Elastic Bandage with e-z clips |
After on and off knee pain I finally decided I should use what I would recommend and that is compression (as well as rest, ice and elevation - RICE). I couldn’t find my old elastic bandage so I bought an ACE brand Elastic Bandage.
About the product:
On the side of the package is a handy size selection chart for specific body areas. Looking at the knee we are told to buy a width of 3-4 inches. The widths range from 2- 2 1/2 inches for the wrist and foot to 6 inches for the chest. The unstretched length is 4.2 feet. This elastic stretches about another 2 feet.
We are told that it provides firm support and compression for strains and sprains, that the bandage will retain its elasticity even after washing it (It is machine washable.) and that there are wrapping instructions inside the package.
Before I go on I want to respond to these claims. My ACE bandage provides some support and compression but not as much as I would like. My bandage has been washed and does retain its elasticity and there are wrapping instructions inside.
BD Comsumer Healthcare makes the product and you will find some really great information including how to wrap the bandage, treatment and prevention and tips at http://www.bd.com/consumer/
More about this product, how it works and what I think of it:
You may remember ACE bandages having metal clips which within about a minute you would lose and then use a safety pin. This bandage looked good because it has what are called E-Z clips. Before I bought this one I had tried one that is supposed to stick to itself. I am not talking about the ACE brand bandage that uses Velcro. Just as a point of information, it does not stick to itself, so don’t waste your money on that one. For that matter don’t waste your money on this one either, but I’m getting to that.
The E-Z clips were easy to use. They secured the bandage well. The problem was that rather than losing them within a minute, they were lost within a couple of days and although I am still using this bandage since I have not bought what I am going to recommend, I am using a safety pin.
You will pay about $4.89 for this bandage. Spend the extra money and get a knee brace with a side stabilizer. They are soft and flexible. They sound worse than they are. You will pay up to $10.00 for it, but it is well worth it. I have similar ones for my elbow and ankle and they are much, much better.
In addition to losing the clips, no matter how tightly I wrap the bandage around me, unless I am just lying still it moves around. If you are not planning on wearing this to work or while walking, then it will be fine and you can save the money. But if you have a knee injury it should be worn as much as you can and having it slip and move around not only defeats the purpose but it is uncomfortable.
Other information:
BD guarantees customer satisfaction. They will give you your money back if you are not satisfied. I suppose I really should return this one and get a stable one. ACE makes them as does Flex and Futuro, but most likely I will not return it and will just buy what I consider to be a better product.
The bandage contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions. Please note that. Many people are allergic to latex.
My final thoughts:
Put your money toward a product that will stay in play and compress your injury better than the elastic bandage, in my opinion. The advantage to the bandage is that it does stretch quite a bit so you can wind it many times. Well that is supposed to be an advantage. Truthfully, I never found it to be an advantage or disadvantage for me. I do have a friend who is a plus size. She bought an elastic bandage and even with stretching it could not get enough length to really secure her knee. (Her injury was also in her knee and I suggested a stabilizer but she didn’t listen to me.) As she was telling me the story she said she knew she was supposed to wind it around her knee several times, but she ran out of material. So that is a major disadvantage for some.
Please see your doctor if your pain is severe, or if it is continuous for 72 hours or if it doesn’t go away.
Feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment.
Recommended:
No
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