Download Inversion Sprain Ankle Tape

Inversion Sprain Ankle Tape
During an inversion sprain, the ligaments on the lateral ankle (outside ankle) are
stretched/torn. When taping therefore, you will generally pull the tape from a medial
region on the foot/ankle/leg to a lateral region. This will support the area, helping to
decrease any further stretching and re-injury to the damaged lateral ankle ligaments thus
facilitating healing.
Supplies Needed:
(Soap, Water, Razor)
-Tuf-Skin
-2 heel and lace pads (cover the posterior “heel” & where shoe”laces” tie--hence the name)
- Pre-wrap
-1 ½ inch cotton-backed adhesive tape
Procedure:
1. Prepare the area to be taped ---inspect/shave/wash/dry.
2. Position the athlete seated on the plinth with the distal lower leg horizontal and off of
the table for accessibility.
3. Spray the area with tape adherent (tuf-skin)
4. Apply heel and lace pads - one to the anterior ankle region (over the extensor
tendons); another to the posterior ankle region (over the distal Achilles tendon.)
5. Position foot of athlete in slight eversion to decrease stress on the sprained lateral ankle
ligaments. (Note: If the athlete had an eversion sprain, you would place his/her ankle in
neutral)
6. Apply the pre-wrap – I generally begin over the dorsum of the foot and wrap around
(skip the heel, then come back to it) until reaching a level just inferior to the
gastrocnemius. Rip
7. Apply one anchor just proximal (nearer to the center of the body) to the metatarsal
heads/ball of the foot. Start this anchor on the dorsum (top side) of your foot and pull
medially around the foot and back to the dorsum. Rip
8. Apply one or two anchors about 1-2 inches distal (away from the center of the body) to
the inferior gastrocnemius muscle. Rip
9. Apply one stirrup. Start at the medial proximal anchor. Travel inferiorly (running just
posterior to the medial malleolus – medial ankle bone), under the heel and laterally back
up to the proximal anchor on the lateral lower leg.
10. Apply one horseshoe. Start at the medial aspect of the distal anchor (head of 1st
metatarsal). Pull posteriorly (running just inferior to the medial malleolus), behind the
heel and laterally back to the lateral aspect of the distal anchor.
11. Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you have a total of 3 stirrups and 3 horseshoes alternating.
Ensure that you overlap by ½ the width of the tape. This combination of overlapping
stirrups and horseshoes is called a “basketweave”
12. Apply a Figure 8 - Start over dorsal aspect of distal anchor. Pull medially, travel
inferior to foot, then to the head of the 5th metatarsal. Next, angle over the dorsum of the
foot toward the medial malleolus. From here, travel posterior around the ankle to the
lateral malleolus, then angling distally toward the dorsal aspect of the head of the 1st
metatarsal (over your distal anchor). When the taping is done for an athlete who has an
existing inversion sprain, 2 figure 8’s should be done. Remember to overlap the tape by
½ when you do the 2nd figure 8.
13. Apply 2 complete heel locks (in other words….1 medial lock, 1 lateral lock, 1 more
medial lock, 1 more lateral lock). Begin just anterior to the lateral malleolus. Travel to
the medial malleolus. Cup the lateral heel (this “ locks” the lateral heel). Travel under
the plantar aspect of the foot then angle toward the lateral malleolus. (You’re now ½ way
finished with the 1st complete heel lock). From the lateral malleolus, cup the medial heel
(this “locks” the medial heel). Travel under the plantar aspect of the foot, then angle
toward the medial malleolus. (This completes 1 heel lock!) Repeat step 13 one more time
for the 2nd heel lock.
14. Apply 3 more anchor closing strips beginning just proximal to the malleolar level.
Overlap these by ½ and remember to apply distal to proximal.
15. Close up any open spaces.
*Note: There are MANY variations to an ankle tape. You will be tested on this
procedure, but, if you continue on to become an ATC, you will see other techniques. If
you get a chance to observe Kameesha (the ATC who contracts with LCHS), you may
see a variation of this taping. Your new textbook may also have a variation of this
procedure outlined.