How to Tape the Ankle to Support the Calcaneofibular Ligament

The calcaneofibular ligament is a lateral ligament in the ankle. It is torn when a person sprains his ankle inverting the foot--turning in the foot. Inversion ankle sprains are the most common of all ankle sprains. According to drallenanderson.com, "it constitutes 85 percent of all ankle sprains." The calcaneofibular ligament is torn in conjunction with the anterior talofibular ligament. It is recommended to tape the ankle to avoid ankle displacement.

Things You'll Need

• Razor
• Athletic tape

Instructions

1. Shave the lower leg so that it will be easier to remove the tape later.

2. Wrap the distal leg and the middle foot with the tape a couple of times. These two areas will serve as anchors.

3. Bring tape from the inside of the foot where the foot anchor is, under the heel and toward the outside of the foot's anchor tape. Then bring another strip from inside of the leg anchor toward the outside of the leg anchor. Both strips should be shaped as the letter "U." Repeat three times each.

4. Surround entire ankle with a long continuous strip. Each wrap should partly cover the previous.

5. Finish the taping with two heel locks applied to the ankle's inside and outside parts, making sure to pull on the inside part last, pulling the foot into eversion.

References

• Ankle Sprain
• The Ankle Report
• Taping Ankle

Resources

• Taping Video