How to Strap a Sprained Ankle
A sprained ankle occurs when ligaments, which connect bones, are stretched or torn. Strapping a sprained ankle provides support, provides compression to reduce swelling and prevents inversion sprains. The wrap can be removed and reapplied easily, which is useful during the early stages of treatment when the periodic application of ice is required to reduce swelling. If pain increases or numbness or swelling below the wrapped area occurs, the wrap is too tight and needs to be loosened.
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Instructions
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Sit facing the person with a sprained ankle. Put the ball of his foot on your knee, with the foot tilted slightly inward and the toes pointing slightly upward. Wrap the compression bandage around the ankle, starting at front center, moving around the inside and back of the ankle, and returning to the front of the ankle.
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Bring the wrap from the front center of the ankle down to the sole at the inside of the foot, across the sole and back to the front center of the ankle.
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Place the wrap around the ankle, across the foot and down to the inside of the sole of the foot.
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Bring the wrap across the bottom of the foot, up the outside of the ankle, around the back and across the foot. Apply slight tension, pulling the outside of the foot up, providing additional support.
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Wrap the bandage across the bottom of the foot, bringing the bandage up the inside of the ankle and around the back.
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Repeat this pattern two or three times, depending on the length of the compression bandage.
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Wrap bandage around the ankle several times, working upward. Secure the end.
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Tips & Warnings
If symptoms and/or pain are severe, a bone in the ankle or lower leg may be broken. See a medical professional immediately for diagnostic tests.
Chronic pain, chronic joint instability and/or early-onset arthritis can result when a person with a sprained ankle uses that ankle too soon or sprains it repeatedly.
