Coban and Self-Adherent Bandages: Sizes, Stretch and Wrapping Technique
A self-adherent bandage looks like any other roll of stretchy fabric. On a limb it behaves differently: it clings to itself, holds a dressing in place and supports a joint, all without clips, pins or tape. That one property, self-adhesion, is why clinics keep the wrap in more than one width.
What is a self-adherent bandage, and what is "Coban"?
A self-adherent bandage, also called a cohesive bandage, is a stretchy woven or non-woven wrap that grips itself when its layers are pressed together but does not stick to skin, hair or a wound. Coban is a trade name for one product in this category; the category is defined by material behaviour, not by brand. These flat, extensible fabric bandages are classified by their elastic properties under BS 7505:2025, the specification a maker's stated stretch refers back to, so two wraps of the same classification should behave alike under the same load.
How is a cohesive bandage different from a short-stretch bandage?
A cohesive wrap is a long-stretch elastic bandage: it lengthens a good deal under load and springs back, so it keeps a resting pressure even when the limb is still. A short-stretch bandage lengthens only a little and gives most of its pressure back while the muscle works, the profile used for fixed compression systems in venous care. That is why a wrap that feels only lightly snug can still give real support to a swollen ankle.
What widths do self-adherent bandages come in, and which fits where?
Width is chosen by the limb, not the pack size.
| Width | Typical use on the body |
|---|---|
| 2 in (5 cm) | Fingers, wrists, hand and small joints |
| 3 in (7.5 cm) | Forearm, elbow and ankle |
| 4 in (10 cm) | Knee, calf and thigh |
A standard roll runs about 5 yards (4.5 m) when stretched, so one roll wraps a wrist many times or a thigh a few. Keep the narrow and wide rolls apart: a 2 in roll on a knee wastes length.
How do you wrap a self-adherent bandage so it stays put?
Start below the joint and work upward, overlapping each turn by about half the width of the bandage. Keep the tension even and press every layer onto the one underneath: the cling holds only where two layers meet, so a loosely laid final turn will lift. Do not stretch the last few inches; lay the tail flat and let the bandage hold itself. Then check the fingers or toes below the wrap for warmth, colour and sensation.
Which self-adherent bandage should a Canadian clinic stock?
Most clinics keep two widths and a couple of supporting items. For holding a dressing and for light support, a self-adherent elastic bandage wrap is the workhorse. Where a joint needs stabilising rather than compression, a wrist or knee support brace covers it. And where the wrap sits over broken skin, the contact layer is a sterile gauze sponge, with the wrap holding it in place rather than touching the wound. Working in physiotherapy or podiatry? See our podiatry and physiotherapy supplies.
Ordering for a clinic, lab or care home? Wholesale and multi-site ordering covers case pricing and account setup, and the B2B wholesale collection lists the lines stocked for institutional buyers. Reselling? become a distributor.
References
- BSI, BS 7505:2025 Elastic properties of flat, non-adhesive, extensible fabric bandages (checked 6 October 2026)
- A prospective randomised trial of four-layer versus short stretch compression bandages for venous leg ulcers (Ann R Coll Surg Engl) (checked 6 October 2026)
Printable companion: the free dressing and bandage change log sets out the fields to record each time a wrap is changed, so the entry is written at the bedside.
Want the sheet matched to your own routine? The bandage change-log generator prints a record with the columns your clinic already keeps.
Related Reading
- Ace Wrap and Elastic Bandage Wraps for Canadian Clinics
- Tubigrip Sizing: How to Match a Tubular Bandage to the Limb
- Hydrocolloid Bandages Explained: When They Work and When They Don't
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coban the same as a self-adherent bandage?
Coban is a trade name for one brand of cohesive wrap; the category is the self-adherent bandage. It is a stretchy fabric that clings to itself when the layers are pressed together but does not stick to skin or hair.
What sizes do self-adherent bandages come in?
They are sold by width and roll length. Common widths are 2 in, 3 in and 4 in, and a standard roll runs about 5 yards when stretched. Match the width to the limb: narrow rolls for fingers and wrists, wider rolls for a knee, calf or thigh.
How tight should a cohesive bandage be wrapped?
Firm and even, not tight enough to pinch or slow circulation. Press each layer onto the one below to activate the cling, keep the stretch even, and re-check the fingers or toes for colour and warmth once the wrap is on.
Is a self-adherent bandage sterile?
Most cohesive wraps are sold non-sterile, for support and for holding a dressing in place. Where the wrap covers an open wound, the layer against the skin is a sterile dressing rather than the wrap itself.
Last updated: October 2026. CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
0 commentaire