Taping/Strapping Procedure Note

Date/Time: [Date and time of procedure]

Provider: [Provider name and credentials]

(Omit any section or bullet that does not apply to the specific application or was not assessed.)

Procedure Summary

[Body region with laterality]; [Application type: rigid athletic strapping / elastic therapeutic tape]; [Primary purpose: support / limit motion / protect injury / pain reduction / post-injury stabilization / proprioceptive cueing / edema control] (Always state application type explicitly.)

Indication

[Working diagnosis or clinical indication]; [Acuity: acute / chronic / prophylactic]; [Functional reason for taping] (If diagnosis is unconfirmed, document the clinical indication and intended purpose rather than naming an unconfirmed diagnosis.)

Pre-Procedure Assessment

Skin: [Condition at application site: intact / erythema / abrasion / swelling]; [Protective measures: barrier film / hypoallergenic underwrap / padding / none]

Neurovascular Status: (For extremity/digit applications. If not applicable—e.g., non-circumferential trunk application—replace with an appropriate safety check such as comfort or respiratory status and omit NV findings.)

• [Distal capillary refill: finding and location assessed]
• [Sensation: finding and distribution tested]
• [Motor function: finding and movements tested]

(If unable to assess any component, document the reason.)

Materials

• [Tape type(s) and width/size: rigid athletic tape / elastic therapeutic tape / cohesive wrap]
• [Adjuncts: underwrap / padding / heel-lace pads / adhesive barrier / hypoallergenic products]
• [Skin preparation agents, if used]

Technique

[Patient and joint position during application]; [Skin preparation performed]

• [Key structural elements sufficient for replication: anchors / stirrups / figure-8 / heel locks / checkrein / X-straps / spiral / fan / inter-digital padding and buddy tape method / McConnell-style component(s) with glide and/or tilt direction]
• [Tension applied for elastic applications: qualitative description or percentage]
• [Statement confirming avoidance of circumferential constriction, if applicable]

Post-Procedure Assessment

Skin: [Immediate post-application status]; [Pressure points identified and addressed, if any]

Neurovascular Status: (For extremity/digit applications. Do not state "no NV compromise" unless NV elements were actually reassessed.)

• [Distal capillary refill compared to pre-application: unchanged / improved / worsened]
• [Sensation compared to baseline: unchanged / improved / worsened]
• [Motor function compared to baseline: unchanged / improved / worsened]
• [Corrective action taken, if any change occurred]

Patient Tolerance: [Tolerated well / discomfort noted]; [Immediate effect: pain improved / stability improved / ROM restricted as intended / unchanged]; [Complications: none / skin irritation / paresthesia / other]

Patient Instructions

(Include only if tape remains in place after encounter. If tape was removed, omit this section or note removal.)

• [Maximum wear time]; [Remove after activity / keep on for defined period]
• [Keep dry/clean guidance, if applicable]
• [Removal instructions]
• [Warning signs requiring tape removal and medical attention: increasing pain, numbness/tingling, burning, discoloration, swelling distal to tape, loss of active motion, new rash/blistering]
• [Patient verbalized understanding / written instructions provided]

Follow-Up

[Patient status at end: stable / ambulatory / returned to activity]; [Follow-up timing, if applicable]; [Re-taping plan, if relevant]