Ankle strapping is a technique involving the application of non-elastic athletic tape to the foot and lower leg to enhance joint stability and provide external support. The method is primarily used to restrict excessive or harmful ranges of motion, particularly inversion and eversion, which are common mechanisms for ligamentous injury. By creating a rigid external framework, strapping mechanically limits movement, protecting the ankle’s passive stabilizing structures during physical activity. This temporary, supportive measure reduces the risk of injury or re-injury during high-stress movements.
Essential Supplies and Preparation
The foundation of an effective tape job begins with the right materials, most importantly rigid, non-elastic strapping tape, typically 1.5 inches wide. Before applying the adhesive tape, a thin layer of foam underwrap, or pre-wrap, must be used. This creates a protective barrier against skin irritation and makes removal less painful. Adhesive spray can also be applied to the skin to enhance the tape’s adherence, which is beneficial during intense activity or in humid conditions.
Preparation requires the skin to be clean, dry, and free of oils or lotions, which compromise the tape’s stickiness. For individuals with significant hair density, shaving the area a day or two prior is recommended to ensure better adhesion and prevent painful hair removal. The underwrap must cover the entire area the strapping tape will touch, creating a smooth, even surface that protects the skin from the strong adhesive.
Determining When Ankle Strapping is Appropriate
Ankle strapping is appropriate for managing chronic ankle instability, where ligaments have been previously stretched, or as a prophylactic measure during high-risk sports like basketball or soccer. It is also used to provide compression and support for minor ligament strains, allowing controlled return to activity while tissues heal. The tape helps reduce the frequency and severity of inversion sprains by providing proprioceptive feedback and mechanical restraint.
Strapping should never be attempted if a severe injury is suspected, such as a fracture, gross instability, or an inability to bear weight on the foot. Signs like visible deformity, sharp, unrelenting pain, or open wounds are contraindications that demand immediate medical evaluation. If you have known circulatory issues, nerve problems, or experience numbness, tingling, or discoloration after a test application, refrain from strapping and consult a healthcare provider.
Step-by-Step Guide to Ankle Strapping
The application process begins with the foot positioned correctly, ideally at a neutral, 90-degree angle (dorsiflexion) to the lower leg. This ensures the ligaments are supported at a functional length. The first step is applying two anchor strips: one wrapped loosely just below the calf muscle and the other around the mid-foot. These anchors provide the base points for the load-bearing strips and must not be applied too tightly, as their purpose is solely to secure subsequent tape layers.
Next, vertical stirrups are applied, starting from the inside of the top anchor, running down across the ankle, under the heel, and up to the outside of the top anchor. Typically, three overlapping stirrups are applied, each overlapping the previous one by about half its width, focusing on restricting inversion. Horizontal closure strips, sometimes called horseshoes, are then placed around the ankle, starting just above the ankle bones and working down. These strips cover the exposed ends of the stirrups and the pre-wrap.
The figure-eight pattern is then employed to provide comprehensive support around the joint and mid-foot. This strip starts on one side of the ankle, crosses diagonally over the top of the foot, wraps under the arch, and returns to the starting point, creating an “X” pattern. Following the figure-eights, heel locks are applied, which are crucial for locking the heel bone and restricting rotation. A heel lock starts high on the ankle, wraps down around the back of the heel on one side, passes under the arch, and comes up the opposite side, before repeating in the reverse direction to complete the lock.
The final step involves applying multiple closing strips in a spiral pattern, working from the lower anchor up to the top anchor. This ensures all underlying strips and exposed pre-wrap are fully covered. This final layer secures the entire tape job, preventing the ends of the load-bearing strips from peeling off during activity. The goal is to maintain firm tension on the stirrups, figure-eights, and heel locks to restrict movement, while keeping the anchor and closing strips snug but not constrictive.
Monitoring and Safe Removal
Immediately after strapping is completed, check for signs of compromised circulation by looking at the color and temperature of the toes. The skin should remain a normal color, and the individual must be able to freely wiggle their toes without experiencing numbness or tingling. If the toes appear pale, cold, or if the individual reports pins and needles, the tape job is too tight and must be removed immediately to restore adequate blood flow.
Athletic strapping tape is designed for short-term mechanical support and should not be worn for more than a single activity session, nor kept on overnight. Prolonged wear of rigid, non-elastic tape can lead to skin maceration or circulatory issues, especially as the ankle swells following activity. For safe removal, specialized tape scissors, which have a blunt tip for sliding under the tape without cutting the skin, should be used. The tape should be cut along a line of least resistance, such as the front of the ankle or just behind the inner ankle bone, and then carefully peeled away to avoid skin stripping.