How to Tape a Sprained Knee

Knee sprains occur when the ligaments that hold the knee together (shown in white) are injured or torn.

A knee sprain occurs when the ligaments that surround the knee and help hold it in place become strained or torn. Some types of sprain are inconvenient but not particularly problematic, while others can require extensive rest and rehabilitation. If you have a mildly sprained knee, you may wish to continue walking and exercising in some fashion. Before you do so, you must be sure that your knee is properly supported with tape, a brace or both. In this article, we will discuss how to tape a sprained knee.

Things You'll Need

• Sports Tape
• Razor

Instructions

1. Shave the area of your leg from your upper calf to lower thigh. This will prevent the tape from pulling your hair when you remove it and help keep the adhesive strong.

2. 

   Wrap the tape around your upper calf until it is just below your knee. Use a circular pattern to cover the top several inches of your calf. The tape should stop at the joint of the knee so that it can still bend.

3. 

   Wrap the tape around your lower thigh, stopping just above your knee. Using the same circular pattern, wrap the lower several inches of your thigh. Again, the tape will stop at the joint of the knee so that movement is still possible to some degree.

4. Place several lengths of tape lengthwise from the top of the lower thigh wrap to the bottom of the upper calf wrap. These strips should be placed on either side of the leg. These will help support the knee and keep it in position while it is in use.

5. Wrap both the upper calf and lower thigh again. This will help hold the lengthwise strips in place and support the knee joint.

Tips & Warnings

• Take it as easy as possible when your knee is sprained.

• Knee injuries can require extensive rehabilitation and may be exacerbated by unapproved physical activity.

• Consult your doctor before placing weight on a sprained knee or engaging in exercise.