You will need to wrap your ankle for support when you have injured your foot. Acute ankle injuries are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries; nearly 2 million ankle injuries occur each year according to a 2006 study published in "The American Family Physician." The wrap compresses and immobilizes the injury, including loose tendons and joints, allowing the ankle to heal in proper formation. Wrapping an ankle takes just a few moments using an elastic bandage or medical tape.
Step 1
Cut apart small medical padding. Use felt or other pads for additional cushioning.
Step 2
Elevate your foot and place it at a 90-degree angle. Place the bandage under the ball of the foot and wrap it around the base of the foot, moving over to the top and then under the arch of the foot. Wrap this section twice to secure the end of the bandage. Leave the toes visible; it is critical to see the toes to determine if the wrap is too tight.
Step 3
Stretch the elastic and bring it around the back of the foot, near the ankle and behind the heel. Form a diagonal figure-eight pattern. Continue to wrap the foot by adding the bandage around the base of the foot, behind and around the ankle and back to the foot the figure eight pattern. Place the padding material to the ankle bone right before wrapping the area, and then cover with the bandage to secure the padding in place. Do not wrap the heel. Secure the end of the bandage with a metal clip, or tape.
Step 4
Check to ensure the wrap is not too tight. Look for pink or purple toes, which indicate your circulation is being cut off. Feeling a numb sensation or tingling indicates you wrapped the foot too tight. Loosen the bandage and rewrap. Do not sleep with a tight bandage at night, always slacken the bandage material before going to bed.
Tips and Warnings
- Elevate the ankle to decrease and swelling at the injury site. Combine compression therapy with ice therapy immediately after injury; leave ice on the injured ankle for 20 minutes at a time, advises FamilyDoctor.org, a website by The American Academy of Family Physicians.
Things You'll Need
- Padding
- Elastic bandage or tape
