An ace bandage is an elastic bandage that is used to give support to injuries, including ankle sprains. Ace wraps are manufactured in widths of two to six inches and lengths of four to six feet. Some ace wraps are made with Velcro at one end as a fastener, but most are packaged with metal clips. Tape is an acceptable fastener as well.
Step 1
Position the ankle so that you have easy access to it. If you are wrapping someone else's ankle, you may want him to sit in a chair across from you with his heel on your knee.
Step 2
Hold the rolled bandage in your dominant hand with the roll facing up. Place the roll against the foot, just above the toes. With the other hand, grasp the loose edge and hold it in place against the foot. If you are right-handed, hold the rolled bandage with your right hand and use your left hand to hold the edge in place.
Step 3
Wrap the rolled bandage twice around the foot by unrolling the bandage slowly as your dominant hand brings the roll behind the foot and around to the front twice, overlapping to keep the bandage in place. Wrap snugly but not tightly.
Step 4
Move your non-dominant hand to the heel. Still holding the roll in your dominant hand, cross the bandage over the foot and pass it behind the ankle.
Step 5
Move the bandage down and cross it over the foot, then under the foot, in a figure-eight pattern. Leave the heel uncovered.
Step 6
Make another figure-eight pattern around the foot. Repeat if needed until approximately 12 inches of bandage is left.
Step 7
Pass the bandage around the ankle and bring it around to the front. Continue wrapping around the ankle and lower part of the calf, overlapping each wrap with the next one in a spiral pattern, until you reach the end of the bandage.
Step 8
Secure the end of the bandage with tape or the metal clips that were included in the package.
Step 9
Check the toes to ensure that they are not cold, blue or tingling. If necessary, remove the bandage and wrap it less tightly.
Tips and Warnings
- Twice a day, remove the wrap to allow the skin to breathe and re-wrap it. If the bandage becomes wet or soiled, replace it with a clean, dry bandage and wash the dirty one.
- If the bandage is too tight, it will cut off the blood flow. If the toes feel numb or tingling, remove the bandage and re-wrap it. Call your health care provider if your skin looks blue and pale or feels cold; your skin becomes red; or you have tingling or numbness that does not go away after your remove the wrap.
Things You'll Need
- Elastic bandage with metal clips
- Surgical or paper tape
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Ankle Sprains
- Drugs.com: How To Use an Ankle Wrap
- MayoClinic.com: Sprained Ankle
- Fundamentals of Nursing; Taylor; 2008
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