How To Buddy-Tape Fingers - Injuries; Poisoning - MSD Manuals

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<How To Splint or Immobilize an Upper Limb

How To Buddy-Tape FingersByDorothy Habrat, DO, University of New Mexico School of MedicineReviewed ByDiane M. Birnbaumer, MD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLAReviewed/Revised Modified Feb 2026v54533319View Patient Education

Buddy-taping a finger dynamically splints one finger to an adjacent, uninjured finger.

Indications
Contraindications
Complications
Equipment
Additional Considerations
Positioning
Step-by-Step Description of Procedure
Aftercare
Warnings and Common Errors
Tips and Tricks
References

In buddy-taping, a digit that requires immobilization (eg, because of an injury or deformity) is attached to an adjacent, unaffected digit, helping to provide alignment as well as support and protection. The unaffected digit provides support during range of motion of the injured digit. Buddy-taping fingers allows for range of motion at the metacarpophalengeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints. It is important to only buddy tape the area that needs to be immobilized in order to allow range of motion to unaffected joints (6).

Indications

1st-degree finger sprain*
Nondisplaced stable fracture of the proximal or middle phalanx
Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) dislocations (if stable after closed reduction)

*Includes sprains with small avulsion fracture.

Contraindications

Absolute contraindications

Unstable or displaced phalangeal fracture
Dislocations that remain unstable after reduction
Tendon injuries (eg, mallet finger, boutonnière injury)
Open fracture

Relative contraindications

None

Complications

Skin breakdown due to lack of padding between fingers
Vascular compromise, usually due to an overly tight application

Equipment

Cotton or gauze for padding
Adhesive tape 1.25-cm (½-inch)

Additional Considerations

Dislocations should be reduced.
Consider a digital block before splinting if manipulation or reduction is required.

Positioning

The patient should be positioned so that the operator has appropriate access to the patient's affected finger.

Step-by-Step Description of Procedure

Insert cotton padding or gauze between the fingers being splinted to prevent skin maceration between the fingers. Ensure there are no folds in the gauze between the fingers.
Apply tape around both fingers to bind the injured finger against the uninjured finger.
Use one strip of tape to bind adjacent phalanges proximally between the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, leaving the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints untaped to allow them to flex and extend.
Use a second piece of tape to bind the 2 digits distally between the PIP and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, again leaving the interphalangeal joints untaped to allow motion of those joints.
Check distal sensation and capillary refill.

Aftercare

Arrange or recommend appropriate follow-up.
Patient should keep the tape and padding dry to avoid skin breakdown and change the dressing if it becomes wet.
Instruct the patient to seek further care if pain cannot be controlled with oral medications at home.

Warnings and Common Errors

Taping too tightly can restrict circulation.
Ensure that the tape does not restrict motion of the MCP, DIP, or PIP joints.
Use buddy-taping only for select finger injuries not requiring immobilization of the MCP, DIP, or PIP joints.

Tips and Tricks

Instruct the patient as you apply the tape, taking care to keep the joints free, so that the patient can reapply the tape should that be necessary.

References

1. Gaston RG, Chadderdon C. Phalangeal fractures: displaced/nondisplaced. Hand Clin. 2012;28(3):395-x. doi:10.1016/j.hcl.2012.05.032
2. Herring SA, Kibler WB, Putukian M, et al. Initial Assessment and Management of Select Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Team Physician Consensus Statement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024;56(3):385-401. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003324
3. Slaughter A, Miles L, Fleming J, McPhail S. A comparative study of splint effectiveness in limiting forearm rotation. J Hand Ther. 2010;23(3):241-248. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2010.02.003
4. Sprouse RA, McLaughlin AM, Harris GD. Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(10):570-576.
5. Boyd AS, Benjamin HJ, Asplund C. Splints and casts: indications and methods. Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(5):491-499.
6. Kang HT, Lee JK. Current concepts in the management of phalangeal fractures in the hand. J Musculoskelet Trauma. 2025;38(3):109-123. doi:https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00136