SOFT TISSUE MANAGEMENT

TAPING: ACUTE AND SUB-ACTUE ANKLE SPRAINS TAPING IS CONTRAINDICATED IF:

TAPING IS INDICATED TO: • Give compression for a recent injury (within first 72 hours) • Keep orthopaedic felt pads and dressings in place • Limit unwanted joint movement • Support ligaments and tendons to try and prevent further injury • Reduce stress on injured structures • Protect and support the injured structures during rehabilitation • Enhance the athlete’s confidence • Enhance the proprioceptive response of the muscle • Act as a prophylactic measure

Acute ankle inversion sprain support

Indications:

This technique is used immediately following a moderate inversion sprain where the player is NOT returning to the game.

Supplies: • 1 x 8cm TensoplusTM

bandage • TensosprayTM adhesive protector spray • Piece of 7mm orthopaedic felt

Start: • Position the ankle as close to plantigrade (ankle and foot in a normal standing position) as possible

• Spray the area to be taped

Technique: A Cut two shaped pads of orthopaedic felt, approximately 7.5cm wide by 20cm long. Cut out a hole in each pad near to the bottom edge

B Place one pad over the lateral aspect

Closed basket weave technique

Indications:

This technique is generally used for sub- acute inversion sprains where a player is returning to sport following an injury.

Supplies: • 1 x 4cm or 2.5cm StrappalTM

tape 28 SportEX zinc oxide cohesive support

• The injury hasn’t been fully assessed and diagnosis is uncertain

• In acute injury where the joint appears unstable and serious damage is likely

• The area is extremely swollen and irritable or if there are signs of infection

• Skin sensation is poor or there are circulatory changes in the area • There is known allergy to any taping materials • It is a substitute for treatment

of the lower calf and ankle to surround the lateral malleolus allowing it to protrude through the gap in the felt (Fig.1) and repeat the process over the medial aspect

C Using the bandage, start on the lateral dorsal aspect of the foot at the base of the toes and pass medially over the dorsum of the foot onto the sole of the foot (Fig.1). Move back up to cover the starting point (Fig.2)

D Angle the bandage at approximately 30 degrees, progressively overlapping the bandage by 50 per cent until you reach the lateral malleolus (approx. 2- 3 wraps) (Fig.3)

E Next progress around the postero- lateral aspect of the calcaneus, to produce the lateral ‘heel lock’ (Fig.4) Move anteriorly, low over the medial malleolus, (Fig.5), then around the front of the ankle progressing to cover the lateral malleolus (Fig.6)

F From the posterior of the ankle, move downwards and anteriorly, to produce the medial ‘heel lock’ (Fig.7), to arrive under the lateral malleolus (Fig.8)

• Both ‘heel locks’ should pull the foot into eversion.

• Finishing just below the knee assists lymphatic drainage.

G Progress immediately up the leg (without any more ankle wraps), 50 per cent overlapping and angling the bandage in a spiral fashion to finish at the tibial tubercle (Fig.9)

• TensosprayTM

adhesive protector

• 1 x 7.5cm ElastoplastTM elastic adhesive bandage

Start: • Ankle in slight dorsi-flexion and eversion, (ie. opposing the direction of injury)

• Spray the area to be taped

• Protect vulnerable bony points with gauze if necessary

Technique:

A Apply an upper anchor strip with 7.5cm ElastoplastTM

, immediately below

the belly of gastrocnemius, finishing on the anterior aspect of the leg

B The lower anchor is applied halfway between the tarso-metatarsal and metatarso-phalangeal joints. When applying this, squeeze the foot, flattening it to allow for the spread on weight bearing. Finish on the dorsum of the foot

TIP