Ankle taping is a practical technique used to provide external support and mechanical stability to the ankle joint. It helps limit excessive side-to-side movement, which often causes inversion sprains, the most common type of ankle injury. By restricting this motion, the tape offers protection, either to prevent injury or to manage the recovery of minor ligament strain. A well-applied tape job functions as a temporary external ligament, reducing stress on the natural joint structures. This guide outlines the standard application process for achieving effective ankle support using athletic tape.
Essential Supplies and Ankle Preparation
The process begins with gathering the correct materials to ensure a successful and comfortable application. You will need non-elastic athletic tape, typically 1.5 inches wide, which provides the necessary structural rigidity to limit joint movement. A foam pre-wrap is also required to create a protective barrier between the strong adhesive tape and the skin, preventing irritation and blisters. Additionally, a quick-drying adhesive spray can be applied to the skin beforehand to improve the tape’s grip and prevent slippage during activity.
Before any tape is applied, the skin must be clean, dry, and free of any oils or lotions. To prevent friction blisters, small non-adhesive pads or petroleum jelly can be placed over the bony prominences on the front and back of the ankle. The most crucial preparatory step is positioning the foot at a neutral 90-degree angle, with the toes pointed upward, and maintaining this angle throughout the entire taping process. Taping the ankle in a pointed position results in support that is too restrictive and uncomfortable when the foot is placed flat on the ground.
Once the skin is prepared, the pre-wrap should be applied in a single, smooth layer, starting from the arch of the foot and extending up to the lower calf muscle. This layer should be free of wrinkles and should not compress the skin too tightly. A pair of rigid anchor strips must be placed around the limb, one near the base of the calf and the other around the arch of the foot, just behind the metatarsal heads. These anchors serve as the attachment points for the main support strips and should be applied without excessive tension.
Step-by-Step Application of Support Taping
The basketweave technique, also known as the closed basket, is effective for providing comprehensive support, particularly against the inward rolling motion that causes inversion sprains. This technique involves alternating vertical stirrup strips and horizontal horseshoe strips, creating an interlocking weave pattern. The first stirrup strip is applied, starting on the inside (medial) anchor, running down the leg, passing under the heel, and adhering to the outside (lateral) anchor.
Each stirrup strip should be applied with firm, consistent tension, slightly pulling the ankle into a subtle outward position to guard against inversion. Cover the ankle bones (malleoli) with these vertical strips, overlapping the previous strip by approximately one-half to two-thirds of the tape’s width. After each stirrup, a horseshoe strip is applied, starting on the inside of the upper anchor, wrapping around the back of the heel, and adhering to the outside of the upper anchor. This horseshoe strip is placed perpendicular to the stirrup and locks the vertical strips in place.
The alternating pattern of stirrup and horseshoe strips is repeated three to four times, working up the leg from the foot anchor toward the calf anchor. Once the basketweave is complete, apply the heel locks, which restrict the rotation and side-to-side motion of the heel bone. A heel lock strip begins on the front of the ankle, proceeds diagonally down and around one side of the heel, under the arch, and then spirals back up to the starting point on the front of the ankle.
This technique is immediately repeated in the opposite direction, starting on the other side of the ankle and spiraling around the heel from the opposite angle. Two complete heel locks, one clockwise and one counter-clockwise, are generally applied for full stability, ensuring the tape restricts movement without wrinkling. Following the heel locks, a figure-eight pattern is often incorporated to further limit excessive joint mobility.
The figure-eight begins on the front of the ankle, wraps under the arch, crosses over the top of the foot, wraps behind the Achilles tendon, and returns to the front of the ankle, forming an eight shape. The final stage involves applying closing strips, which are horizontal bands of tape that cover all remaining exposed pre-wrap and secure the ends of the structural strips. These closing strips should be applied with lighter tension than the stirrups and horseshoes to prevent unnecessary constriction, ensuring the entire structure is smooth and fully adhered.
Immediate Safety Checks and Medical Guidance
Immediately after taping, several safety checks must be performed to ensure proper circulation is maintained. Use the capillary refill test: gently press on a toenail until it blanches white; the color should return in less than two seconds. The toes should also be checked for uniform color, warmth, and the absence of any numbness or tingling sensation. If the foot feels cold, turns blue, or the toes feel numb, the tape must be removed immediately and reapplied with less tension.
Taping provides support but is not a substitute for professional medical assessment, especially for acute injuries. Taping is not appropriate if a fracture is suspected, if there is severe, rapidly increasing swelling, or if the individual is unable to bear any weight on the foot. Taping over open wounds or broken skin is also a contraindication due to the risk of infection and irritation. For moderate to severe injuries, a healthcare professional should be consulted for a proper diagnosis before any support is applied.
The tape should be removed carefully to avoid skin damage. Rigid athletic tape should not be left on for extended periods, ideally being removed immediately after activity to prevent skin irritation. The safest way to remove the tape is by using a specialized tape cutter or medical scissors, sliding the blunt side along the skin to cut the anchor and closing strips. Alternatively, soaking the tape with warm water or a tape-removal solution can help break down the adhesive.