Dressing a knee so it stays on when you bend
Knee skin moves further than almost anywhere else. Application angle matters more than adhesive strength.
A dressing that sits perfectly on a straight leg will be under full tension the moment you sit down. That is why knee dressings lift at the corners within an hour.
Apply with the joint bent
Bend the knee to roughly mid-range before applying. The dressing then has slack when you straighten and is not stretched to its limit when you bend.
Size generously
You need adhesive on skin that is not being dragged across the wound. A 9 × 10cm or 10 × 10cm dressing usually beats a smaller one that sits right at the edge of the graze.
Secure the corners
If it still lifts, a short strip of tape across each upper corner holds them down without covering the pad.
Watch for maceration
Knees sweat under a dressing. Check daily, and if the surrounding skin looks bleached and soft, move to a more breathable backing and change more often.
See a pharmacist, GP or urgent care if a wound will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, is deep or gaping, was caused by something dirty or rusty, contains anything you cannot flush out, or shows spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a fever. Get help urgently for animal or human bites, wounds over a joint, and any wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation.
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FitMedix products are CE-marked medical devices intended for the care of minor wounds. This site does not provide medical advice — seek professional help for deep, dirty or non-healing wounds, or if signs of infection appear. Always read the instructions on the pack.