How to Tape a Lateral Ankle Sprain

While a sprained ankle usually heals quickly and is not a disabling injury, too many sprains due to athletics or other physical activities can weaken the overall strength of the ankle over time. Wrapping a sprain will decrease discomfort associated with a sprain and also add support to prevent this gradual weakening. Taping an ankle before strenuous activity can also be used to prevent sprains and injury.

Things You'll Need

• 38-mm sports tape
• Pre-tape underwrap
• 5-cm elastic adhesive bandage

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Instructions

• 1

  Pre-wrap the ankle with underwrap in a figure eight, "overwrapping" pattern. Use the underwrap to pad out the ankle.

• 2

  Use 38-mm sports tape to wrap three anchor points just under the calf muscle. These anchors will help hold further tape wraps in place.

• 3

  Apply three stirrup wraps to the ankle. Starting from the inside--or medial--of the leg, wrap under the heel and attach the tape to the outside--or lateral--of the leg.

• 4

  Apply a half heel-lock wrap to the ankle. Begin on the lateral side of the lower leg and move to the medial side of the ankle and to the front of the heel. Wrap the tape under the foot and over the lateral side of the heel at a 45 degree angle. Pass over the medial side of the ankle and attach to the lower lateral side of the leg, where the wrap started.

• 5

  Use 5-cm elastic adhesive bandage to overwrap the entire taped portion of the lower leg, ankle and foot. Wrap in a figure eight pattern to provide further compression and secure the tape.