Summary
Ankle ligamentous injuries are very common in sports. One of the most popular methods of supporting the weakened ankle is external support with ankle tape. The tape can be used to prevent ankle injuries, to stabilise the injured ankle to prevent further injury, and as a stabiliser during the rehabilitation phase. Of the various taping methods, basket weaves (combined with stirrup and a heel-lock) are the most effective for increasing the mechanical stability of the ankle, especially in the frontal plane (talar tilt). A combination of increased mechanical stability, decreased range of ankle motion and an improvement in the proprioceptive function of the ankle ligaments are factors associated with effectiveness of ankle taping. The major drawbacks of ankle taping are the high costs and decreased support after exercise.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Balduini FC, Vegso JJ, Torg JS, Torg E. Management and rehabilitation of ligamentous injuries to the ankle. Sports Medicine 4: 364–380, 1987
Freeman MAR. Treatment of ruptures of the lateral ligaments of the ankle. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery — British Volume 47: 661–668, 1965a
Freeman MAR. Instability of the foot after injuries to the lateral ligament of the ankle. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery — British Volume 47: 669–677, 1965b
Freeman MAR, Dean MRE, Hanham IWF. The etiology and prevention of functional instability of the foot. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery — British Volume 47: 678–685, 1965
Fumich RM, Ellison AE, Guerin RK, Grace PD. The measured effect of taping on combined foot and ankle motion before and after exercise. American Journal of Sports Medicine 9: 165–170, 1981
Garrick JG, Requa RK. Role of external support in the prevention of ankle sprains. Medicine and Science in Sports 5: 200–203, 1973
Glick JM, Gordon RB, Nishimoto D. The prevention and treatment of ankle injuries. American Journal of Sports Medicine 4: 136–141, 1976
Karlsson J. Chronic lateral instability of the ankle. A clinical, radiological and experimental study. Medical dissertation, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, 1989
Karlsson J, Andréasson GO. The effect of external ankle support in chronic lateral ankle instability. An electromyographic study. American Journal of Sports Medicine 20: 257–261, 1992
Karlsson J, Bergsten T, Lansinger O, Peterson L. Reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle for chronic lateral instability. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery — American Volume 70: 581–588, 1988
Karlsson J, Bergsten T, Lansinger O, Peterson L. Surgical treatment of chronic lateral instability of the ankle joint. A new procedure. American Journal of Sports Medicine 17: 268–274, 1989
Karlsson J, Bergsten T, Peterson L, Zachrisson BE. Radiographic evaluation of ankle joint stability. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 1: 166–175, 1991
Karlsson J, Lansinger O. Lateral instability of the ankle joint. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 276: 253–261, 1990
Karlsson J, Peterson L, Andreasson GO, Hogfors C. The unstable ankle: A combined EMG and biomechanical modelling study. International Journal of Sports Bimechanics 8: 129–144, 1992
Larsen E. Taping the ankle for chronic instability. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 55: 551–553, 1984
Mack RP. Ankle injuries in athletics. Clinics in Sports Medicine 1: 71–79, 1982
McCluskey GM, Blackburn TA, Lewis T. Prevention of ankle sprains. American Journal of Sports Medicine 4:151–157, 1976
Rarick GL, Bigley G, Karst R, Malina RM. The measurable support of the ankle joint by conventional methods of taping. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery — American Volume 44: 1183–1190, 1962
Staples OS. Ruptures of the fibular collateral ligament of the ankle. Result study of immediate surgical treatment. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery — American Volume 57: 101–107, 1975
Stover CN. Air stirrup management of ankle injuries in the athlete. American Journal of Sports Medicine 8: 360–365, 1980
Tropp H. Functional instability of the ankle joint. Medical Dissertation, Linköping University, Linköping, 1985
Vaes P, De Boeck H, Handelberg F, Opdecam P. Comparative radiological study of the influence of ankle joint bandages on ankle stability. Acta Orthopaedica Belgique 50: 636–644, 1984
Vaes P, De Boeck H, Handelberg F, Opdecam P. Comparative radiologic study of the influence of ankle bandages on ankle stability. American Journal of Sports Medicine 13: 46–50, 1985
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Karlsson, J., Swärd, L. & Andréasson, G.O. The Effect of Taping on Ankle Stability. Sports Medicine 16, 210–215 (1993). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199316030-00005
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199316030-00005