ANKLE SPRAIN

Ankles need protection for up to 6 months when returning to sport after an ankle sprain. Bracing and non-elastic adhesive tape are equally effective.

Preparation

The ankle needs to be positioned so that the foot is at 90 degrees to the leg while the tape is applied.

The ankle should be in a ‘neutral’ position, with the foot not turned in or out.

Shave the ankle about 8 hours before applying the tape to avoid skin irritation.

Clean the skin

Complications

A small proportion of the general population are allergic to adhesive tape. If the skin becomes red, hot, irritated or itchy remove the tape immediately.

Good preparation and smooth application of the tape should reduce the likeliness of skin irritation.

If the tape is applied too tightly or the ankle swells the blood circulation can be affected. Remove

The tape if the toes change colour, become cold or develop pins and needles.

Removal

Use tape scissors to remove the strapping

Tension the skin and peel the tape off carefully

Duration

The tape begins to lose its effectiveness after about an hour so it should be reapplied between games or occasions of sport.

Application

Apply the tape with equal tension

Smooth out any creases

The tape should be comfortable and should not cut into the skin anywhere

If in doubt remove the tape and start again

The guidelines for a simple ankle strapping follow. Depending on the type of injury a more restrictive strapping may need to be applied. Speak to your physiotherapist to decide what strapping suits your needs.

Anchor 1. Apply a band of tape about 1/3 the way up the leg
Stirrups 1. Apply tape starting from the anchor, down over the bone on the side of the ankle under the foot and back up to the anchor. 2. Tape should be equally tensioned on the inside and the outside of the leg. 3. Do not apply the tape behind the ankle bone as it will limit movement and make walking or running difficult. 4. Apply 3 stirrups, each over lapping the last by ½ of the tape width, toward the front of the ankle
Figure Six 1. The tape starts on the outside ankle bone, wraps across the front of the ankle joint, under the arch of the foot, back over its starting position and sticks on to the anchor. 2. Three strips of tape are applied, each overlapping the previous by ½ of the tape width. 3. Do not apply the tape behind the ankle bone as it will limit movement and make walking or running difficult. 4. Apply 3 ‘figure six’s’ on the inside of the ankle and 3 on the outside
Lock-Offs 1. Apply a further 3 to 4 anchors over lapping by 1/3. 2. These anchors are to hold the other tape in place. 3. Do not apply the tape beyond the crease at the front of the ankle.
Final Appearance

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