With acute ankle sprains representing nearly 20 percent of the sports-related injuries suffered yearly in the United States, it is important for coaches and others associated with athletics to know the proper procedure for taping an ankle. In addition to taping injured ankles, most athletic trainers suggest ankle taping as an injury-prevention measure--especially for those athletes who have suffered previous ankle sprains. Taping an ankle is not a complicated procedure, but it does require a person to follow step-by-step guidelines to provide effective support of the injured ankle.
Instructions
1. Clean and dry the skin. Have the athlete sit on a flat surface with the toes pointing up. Apply tape adherent (optional). Place heel and lace pads (optional). Apply pre-wrap beginning at the mid-foot and wrapping up to mid-lower leg. Smooth out any wrinkles in pre-wrap and make certain heel and lace pads are in proper position.
2. Secure the pre-wrap with tape strips. Place one strip of tape around the mid-foot, one strip of tape around the mid-lower leg and one or two additional strips at the mid-lower leg overlapping the first tape strip.
3. Place a strip of tape from the inside of the mid-lower leg (starting at secure tape strip), under the ankle and to the outside of the mid-lower leg. Apply tape tightly to ensure ankle stability. Repeat one or two additional times, overlapping the previous application.
4. Apply a strip of tape from the inside of the mid-foot, across the Achilles tendon to the outside of the mid-foot. Repeat this step one or two additional times, overlapping the previous application.
5. Securely wrap tape from the mid-lower leg (covering the top secure strip) downward. Use five or six strips to secure the ankle, leaving only the back bottom of the heel uncovered. Additional strips may be necessary to complete the mid-foot area.
6. Apply tape to the outside of the foot, over to the inside part of the foot in a downward angle, under the foot, around the back of the ankle and ending where you started (Think figure-8 motion. Repeat this step two or three times, overlapping the previous application.
Apply tape over the middle side of the arch of the foot, continuing under the foot to the outside of the heel at a 45-degree angle, bringing tape around Achilles tendon and finishing at front of ankle. Repeat this step one or two times.
7. Securely wrap tape from the mid-lower leg (covering top secure strip) downward. Use five or six strips to secure the ankle, leaving only the back bottom of the heel uncovered. Have the athlete stand. Check for ankle stability. Make sure the tape is secure, but not tight enough to affect circulation.
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