PURPOSE: Stabilise the ankle joint (talocrural joint and subtalar joint) against excessive lateral rotation (supination and pronation) without impairing normal ankle joint movement (plantar and dorsal flexion). For severe sprains, ‘stirrups’, ‘ankle locks’ and possibly ‘figure 8s’ are applied, but for mild sprains ‘stirrups’ are sufficient. The tape is initially used all day and is gradually reduced over the following 3 months. Finally, the tape is only used for particularly risky loads.
TAPE APPLICATION: Start just in front of the ankle joint and guide the tape under the ankle on the inside and up the outside, continue over the starter tape in front of the ankle joint and behind the lower leg and back to the front of the ankle joint where it ends.
