PREFERRED ANKLE SUPPORT

TAPING VS BRACINGAdam Lewis

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains occur in nearly all types of sporting events.

The lateral ankle is 7x more likely to get sprained than the medial.

Severity can range from Grade 1 to 3 with 1 being the least sever and 3 the worst.

Recovery time can very for each ankle sprain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5qCI0T4Fhs

Ankle Anatomy(Bones)

Bones- Talus, Distal Tibia, and Distal Fibula. The Calcaneus may also be considered part of the ankle.

Muscles of the Ankle

Calf Group (gastrocnemius and soleus)

Peroneals (Brevis, Longus, and tertius)

Extensor/Flexor Digitorum Longus

Extensor/Flexor Hallucis Longus

Tibialis Anterior and Posterior

Lateral Ankle Ligaments

Tibiofibular Ligament- Connects distal tibia and fibula.

Talofibular Ligament- Calcaneofibular Ligament-

Medial Ankle Ligaments

Deltoid Ligament Complex

Taping or BracingWhich Is Better?

Taping Benefits

Provide Support May be more comfortable than braces Aid Healing of ankle Injuries thus

decreasing recovery time Reduce the risk of injury

Taping Disadvantages

Experience and Knowledge of person taping can effect the effectiveness

Quality of the Tape Lose Support over time Perspiration can decrease the

effectiveness

Advantages of Braces

More Ridged (stiff) Easy to tighten More cost efficient over time Self applied Easily adjustable Reusable

Disadvantages of Braces

Loosen over time Possible Tares in fabric Less Comfortable to some Require Replacement Higher one time cost

Facts

The anterior talofibular ligament is injured most often, followed by the calcaneofibular ligament.

In the United Kingdom, 5000 ankle injuries per day are treated, whereas in the United States, it is estimated that more than 25000 ankle sprains occur per day

Facts Cont.

 The most common injury in soccer is a lateral ankle sprain, accounting for up to 85% of all ankle sprains.

In American football, ankle sprains comprise 10% to 15% of all injuries.

70% of interscholastic male basketball players report they have had at least one ankle sprain.

Study #1

Lauren C. Olmsted, Luzita I. Vela, Craig R. Denegar, and Jay Hertel

Prophylactic Ankle Taping and Bracing: A Numbers-Needed-to-Treat and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Although it is more cost effective to tape an athlete 1 time than to brace the same athlete, bracing is approximately 3 times more economical over the entire season.

They concluded that bracing is less expensive and less time consuming for the athlete and athletic trainer over the duration of a sports season.

Study 2#

LCDR Timothy J. Mickel, MD, LTC Craig R. Bottoni, MD, Garvin Tsuji, MS, ATC, Kevin Chang, ATC, CSCS, Lenny Baum, ATC, and Kristie Ann S. Tokushige, MS, ATC

Prophylactic Bracing Versus Taping for the Prevention of Ankle Sprains in High School Athletes: A Prospective, Randomized Trial

This study showed that ankle taping and bracing are both equally effective in preventing sport related ankle sprains.

This study showed a cost analysis stating that bracing is more cost affective taping costs about $40 per year and a brace is about $28.

Conclusion

Taping and Bracing will both help with protection and prevention of an injury.

Comfort of athlete is the deciding factor on which one works best for them.

Many factors can change effectiveness of either tape or a brace.

Proper rehabilitation after any ankle injury is crucial in the recovery of an injury.

Questions???