In this post, advanced practitioner Chartered Physiotherapist Steph Davies from Sports Physio Hwb explains when you might need to strap an ankle and how to do it!
Video demonstration of how to strap an ankle:
WHY STRAP AN ANKLE?
After recovery from an ankle ligament injury, the ankle joint will generally require more support for the following 3 months while doing high risk ankle sprain activities (e.g. multi-sprint sports with changing direction, hiking on very uneven ground etc). This will usually be via either a semi-rigid ankle brace for most people, but for people who play rugby where hard braces are not allowed, or to fit your ankle into a tight work boot, you might need to use strapping instead.
Even if you strap or support the ankle, you still need to properly rehabilitate the strength in the muscles around the ankle to reduce the risk of further injury or damage. Physio can help guide you with how to do this for the level of injury you have sustained and the stage of recovery that you are at.
HOW TO STRAP AN ANKLE TO SUPPORT A LATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY (there are the written reminder bullet points after having watched the video above to demonstrate!):
You will need:
Hypafix or similar skin protection
Pre-tape adhesive spray
3.8cm non-stretchy zinc oxide tape
7.5cm elastic adhesive bandage (EAB)
Scissors
Have the player/patient sit with the lower leg and ankle off the end of a bed, with foot held in a neutral 90 degree position. Apply the sticky adhesive spray to the ankle area
Add some skin protection / hypafix to the front of the ankle and to the achilles area
Use the 3.8cm zinc oxide tape to create 3 x 'anchors' around the lower leg at the top of where you'll be strapping (don't pull too tight to allow circulation!)
3.8cm zinc oxide to do 3 x 'stirrups' - start on the inside of the leg, come under the heel and pull and stick to the outside of the leg
3.8cm zinc oxide 'figure 6' each way - same as the stirrup but start and finish the same side
3.8cm zinc oxide 'heel lock' each way - start 45 degrees across the front of the shin, 45 degrees across the achilles (not tight), under the heel, pull up and stick
7.5cm EAB tape to finish - start towards the inside of the foot, come under the foot, cross it over the front of the ankle to come around the leg like a figure of 8
Cut using the scissors, secure with zinc oxide or black tape and finish!
Just to re-iterate - strapping should not be applied to enable playing sport before the ankle is recovered enough to do so, nor should it replace full rehab and strengthening. Only adequate recovery and strengthening will reduce the risk of it being re-injured and it is still possible to sprain the ankle with tape on it!
If you wish to discuss your ankle injury and set out on a structured rehab plan, please contact us or book a consultation. Hope this has helped!
Steph Davies
Advanced Practitioner MSK Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) MSc MCSP HCPC
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