Download Article
Download Article
This article was medically reviewed by Troy A. Miles, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Dr. Miles is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Adult Joint Reconstruction in California. He received his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, followed by a residency at the Oregon Health & Science University and fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgery, and the North Pacific Orthopaedic Society.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 370,507 times.
Ankle injuries can take a while to heal, especially when they don’t receive the proper treatment. Anyone is capable of sustaining such an injury, but athletes are more prone to experience one. To help an athlete recover from a minor ankle injury, it is always a good idea to tape the ankle. Taping the ankle allows for extra support while still providing mobility.
Steps
-
![Step 1 Gather materials.]()
Gather materials. Make sure you have everything you need to tape the ankle properly. Without all the proper equipment, you may cause further injury to the person whose ankle you wish to wrap. You will need:- Tape adherent. Tape adherent helps to prevent slippage and ease the wrapping process.
- Pre-wrap. Pre-wrap acts as a barrier between the skin and the tape and is a foam- or gauze-type cloth pad. It can be made of cotton, latex, other synthetic materials, and blends of these materials.
- Athletic tape. Athletic tape is the main structural component used when wrapping ankles.
-
![Step 2 Position the injured patient’s foot at a 90-degree angle.]()
Position the injured patient’s foot at a 90-degree angle. Ask the patient to sit someplace sturdy where their foot can be elevated and extended. Place the foot in a pointed upright position at a 90-degree angle. Keep the foot in this position as you wrap.[1]Advertisement -
![Step 3 Apply a QDA adhesive.]()
Apply a QDA adhesive. Lightly spray a quick-drying adhesive (QDA) over the area you wish to wrap. This adhesive will help ensure the wrapping stays in place.[2]- Wash and dry the area you’ll be wrapping before applying the adhesive spray and tape, as dirt can make the tape loosen even with the adhesive.[3]
-
![Step 1 Wrap the ankle fully with a pre-wrap.]()
Wrap the ankle fully with a pre-wrap. Apply pre-wrap from the mid-foot to the bottom end of the calf muscle. Cover the foot entirely to prevent the tape from sticking to the skin. The heel may remain uncovered. This will provide a barrier between the tape and the skin and an additional layer of support. [4] -
![Step 2 Apply anchors.]()
Apply anchors. Put 1 to 3 anchor strips at the top of the pre-wrap.[5] Each consecutive strip should overlap at about its midpoint. Place one around the foot's arch, where the pre-wrap's lower portion ends.- Make sure that each anchor strip is applied with even tension. Too light and the tape won't anchor to the pre-wrap strongly enough; too tight and the circulation to the foot could be pinched or cut off.
- Check with the athlete after application to find out if the tape is comfortable.
-
![Step 3 Attach stirrups.]()
Attach stirrups. Apply 3 semi-overlapping stirrups, beginning on the medial side (inside of the ankle) and working to the lateral side (outside of the ankle). These stirrups will be U-shaped strips. The tape starts at the top anchor, goes over the bottom of the heel, under the foot, and back up the other side. It ends at the starting anchor on the opposite side of the foot.[6]- Make sure you're using even tension as you put the stirrup on the inside anchor, under the foot, and on the outside anchor.[7]
-
![Step 4 Place 3 horseshoes.]()
Place 3 horseshoes. Horseshoes stabilize the stirrups and go from either side of the foot—back around the Achilles tendon, to the opposite side of the foot. These add extra support to the ankle.[8] -
![Step 5 Make 2 figure-eights.]()
Make 2 figure-eights. Apply the tape in 2 figure-eight patterns, one going in each direction. Start at the top of the foot where the foot connects with the ankle, and take the tape under the foot, back up, and around the back of the ankle. The tape should end up where you started.[9] -
![Step 6 Use heel locks.]()
Use heel locks. Heel locks start on one side of the foot, wrap about the heel, and then are taped back on the side you began from. Four are applied in alternation—2 on each side of the foot to help to stabilize the ankle.[10] -
![Step 7 Tape up with horizontal strips.]()
Tape up with horizontal strips. Fully cover the pre-wrap with 2 strips of horizontal tape. This helps to hold all the different pieces of tape together while also adding additional stability and closing up the wrap.[11]
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
-
One ankle typically takes about a roll and a half of tape to wrap.Thanks
-
Try to prevent wrinkles in the tape when possible.Thanks
-
If the pre-wrap rolls up while applying, reapply it.Thanks
Warnings
- Always seek help from a medical professional, especially if you’re not trained to wrap ankles yourself.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.performancehealthacademy.com/ankle-sprain-kinesiology-taping-technique-tapetuesday.html
- ↑ https://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/5378
- ↑ https://www.revivephysio.com.au/how-to-tape-your-own-ankle/
- ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/sc-fam-0108-lifeskill-wrap-ankle-20130108-story.html
- ↑ https://www.revivephysio.com.au/how-to-tape-your-own-ankle/
- ↑ https://www.revivephysio.com.au/how-to-tape-your-own-ankle/
- ↑ https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/mHealthyLiving/Documents/Athletic-Taping-An-Ankle.pdf
- ↑ https://myphysiosa.com.au/how-to-tape-an-ankle-for-sport/
- ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/sc-fam-0108-lifeskill-wrap-ankle-20130108-story.html
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
To tape an ankle like an athletic trainer, start by placing sterile pads on the top and bottom of the ankle to stabilize it. You’ll also want to pre-wrap the ankle and apply strips of tape to the mid-foot, sides of the ankle, and back of the ankle for additional support and stability. When you’re ready to tape, apply two layers of figure-eights around the foot and ankle for full support. To provide maximum stability, apply each layer of tape with even tension, but don’t make the wrap so tight it cuts off the circulation. For more tips, such as when to visit a professional, read on!
