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Ankle, Foot and Knee Taping

Purposes of Bracing and Taping

1. Support joints and reinforce ligaments by limiting excessiveor abnormal anatomical movement.

2. Enhance proprioceptive feedback from the limb or joint.

3. Support injuries to the muscle-tendon units by compressingor limiting movement.

4. Secure protective pads, dressings and splints.

5. Provide patient with confidence.

Preparation1. Make sure patient maintains correct position for taping e.g.

Plantar-grade for lateral ankle taping

2. Before applying the tape, make certain the area is clean and, ideally, free of hair.

3. Make sure you have all materials on hand next to you whilst taping.

4. Make sure if the athlete sweats a lot that you either use underwrap or appropriate adhesive.

Types of Tape and What to Use

Provides optimal support for joint and helps limit/controlexcessive movement. In my opinion the best tape available inAustralia and the highest performing tape.

Leuko Premium Plus Rigid (38mm)

Used to support body parts that unlike most joints require great freedom of movement.

E.g. Supporting the hamstring muscle group by encircling the thigh, the elastic tape will permit normal muscle contraction without restricting blood flow.

Elastic tapes can also allow you to secure protective pads to any region.

Leukoband Elastic

Used to protect the skin from the harsh edges of the rigid tape. Important to maintain healthy skin for athletes who tape regularly.

3M Microfoam

Hyperfix/Fixomull

This is preferable when taping for athletic competition/training as it allows good skin to skin contact and a better surface for the rigid tape to adhere to.

Foam

If the patient only needs moderate support or some form of compression, using the foam as an underlay is fine.

Underwrap

Spray Adhesive

Good to have on hand and use on the odd occasion. If the athlete sweats a lot or if it is a very hot day it may be worth using this to increase adhesiveness.

Blunt nose scissors and shark tooth cutters.

Miscellaneous

Lateral Ankle Taping

Taping is used for the following:

Support acute ankle sprain (be cautious with ankle sprains that incur a large amount of swelling).

Unload irritated ankle.

Support for athletes returning to sport after suffering lateral ankle sprain.

Lateral Ankle Taping

Step 1

Place two anchors around 15cm above talocrural joint. Place a strip of micro-foam over the anterior aspect of the talocrural joint, and if needed over the mid-portion of the Achilles.

Step 2

Place three stirrups on the ankle starting from the medial aspect and finishing on the lateral aspect.

Note: Always finish behind the base of the 5th metatarsal.

Step 3

Place 3 figure six’s on the ankle starting on the medial aspect and finishing on the medial aspect. Each strip finishing more distal than the last.

Step 4

Two heel locks, one starting on the medial aspect and one starting on the lateral aspect.

Step 5

Finish the taping with two more anchors and cover up any exposed skin to make the taping cleaner and stronger.

Patella-Femoral Taping

Taping is used for the following:

To help unload anterior aspect of the knee (irritated patella-femoral joint).

Patella-Femoral Taping

Step 1

Cover the area with a hypoallergenic tape e.g. Fixamol. This tape can be left on for 24-48hrs, the hypoallergenic tape will help protect the skin against the harsh glue of the rigid strapping tape.

Step 2

Taping always starts on the lateral aspect of the knee (outside) and pulled towards the medial aspect of the knee (inside).

Step 3

Three strips of rigid tape can be used for support. Always starting on the lateral aspect and finishing on the medial aspect. All strips of tape cover the patella.

Mid Foot Taping

Taping is used for the following:

To help unload irritated mid foot. E.g. Mid foot sprain, metatarsalgia.

To help take pressure of plantar fascia.

Mid Foot TapingStep 1

Cover the area with a hypoallergenic tape e.g. Fixamol. This tape can be left on for 24-48hrs, the hypoallergenic tape will help protect the skin against the harsh glue of the rigid strapping tape.

Step 2

Taping technique starts with two anchor points. One strip around the heads of the metatarsals and one stirrup starting on the lateral aspect of the foot and finishing on the medial aspect.

Step 3

Longitudinal slings, it is important that the foot is placed in plantar-grade (neutral) whilst the slings are applied. Three strips are usually enough to cover the base of the foot. Each strip should over lap by around 50% to give the taping strength.

Step 4

Another stirrup is used to hold down the longitudinal slings.

Step 5

The taping is finished with three mid foot slings. This will provide support to the arch, unloading the mid foot. The sling always starts on the lateral aspect of the foot and finishes on the medial aspect on the foot. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the tape when pulling onto the medial aspect of the foot.