A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone, often from repetitive force or overuse. While medical care is important, taping can offer temporary support and help alleviate pain. This guide explains how to apply tape to a foot with a suspected stress fracture.
Purpose of Taping a Foot for Stress Fracture
Taping a foot with a suspected stress fracture provides external support to the affected area. This support limits painful movements of the bone and surrounding soft tissues, reducing discomfort during activity. Tape can also help offload the stressed bone by redistributing weight-bearing forces. This mechanical support reduces micro-movements at the fracture site, which are often a source of pain. Furthermore, the tactile feedback from the tape enhances proprioception, the body’s awareness of its position, reminding the individual to limit high-impact activities.
Essential Taping Materials
Specific materials are necessary to tape a foot for a suspected stress fracture. Athletic tape, a rigid, non-stretch adhesive tape, forms the primary supportive layer, designed to restrict movement and provide firm stabilization. Pre-wrap, also known as underwrap, is a thin, foam-like material applied directly to the skin before the athletic tape. It creates a protective barrier, preventing skin irritation and discomfort from the adhesive. Scissors are also needed to cut the tape precisely during application.
Step-by-Step Foot Taping Instructions
Preparing the foot is the initial step for taping. The skin should be clean, dry, and free of oils or lotions to ensure proper tape adhesion. Trimming significant foot hair beforehand can prevent discomfort during tape removal.
Apply Pre-Wrap
Apply a layer of pre-wrap. Begin wrapping around the midfoot, just before the toes, and continue towards the ankle, covering the entire area to be taped. This layer should be smooth and wrinkle-free, overlapping by about half its width.
Anchor Strips
Anchor strips provide the foundation for the rest of the taping application. Apply a circular anchor strip around the midfoot, just behind the ball of the foot, ensuring it is not too tight to avoid restricting circulation. A second anchor strip should be placed around the ankle, above the heel.
Stirrup Strips
Stirrup strips offer vertical support to the arch and midfoot. Starting from the inner side of the ankle anchor, apply tape down the inside of the foot, under the arch, and up the outside to the outer ankle anchor. Apply additional stirrup strips, overlapping each by about half the tape width, for comprehensive arch support.
Figure-Eight Wraps
Figure-eight wraps enhance stability by encircling both the ankle and the arch. Begin by placing tape on the inner side of the ankle, wrapping it diagonally across the top of the foot, under the arch, and back up across the top to the outer side of the ankle. This pattern helps control foot motion.
Locking Strips
Locking strips secure all previously applied tape. Apply circular strips around the midfoot and ankle, overlapping anchor strips and figure-eight wrap ends. These strips ensure the tape job remains firmly in place. Apply tape tautly but not so tightly that it causes discomfort or impedes blood flow, and smooth out wrinkles to prevent blistering.
Post-Taping Care and Monitoring
After the foot has been taped, it is important to monitor for any signs of poor circulation. Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, a feeling of “pins and needles,” or discolored skin (pale, blue, or white) in the toes or foot indicate that the tape may be too tight and should be removed immediately. Swelling or increased pain are also indicators that the tape needs to be re-evaluated. Rigid athletic tape is generally worn for a short duration, typically between one to three days, as prolonged wear can lead to skin irritation or reduced circulation. Keeping the taped area dry helps maintain the tape’s integrity and reduces the risk of skin issues, so remove it gently to avoid skin damage.
Importance of Professional Medical Evaluation
Self-taping for a stress fracture is a temporary measure intended to provide support and alleviate immediate symptoms, but it is not a substitute for a professional medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can accurately diagnose a stress fracture, often involving physical examination and imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans. A proper medical assessment determines the severity and exact location. Based on this diagnosis, a comprehensive treatment plan can be established, including prescribed rest, specific rehabilitation exercises, and other interventions. Consult a doctor if a stress fracture is suspected or if pain persists or worsens despite taping.