Sprained Ankle: Using a Compression Wrap
Introduction
Ankle sprains
are common injuries that can result in lifelong problems. Some people with
repeated or severe sprains can develop long-term joint pain and weakness.
Treating a sprained ankle can help prevent ongoing ankle problems.
Key points
If an ankle sprain does not heal
correctly, the joint may become unstable, resulting in a weakened and easily
reinjured ankle. Proper initial care of your sprained ankle is critical.
- A compression wrap helps decrease swelling.
If swelling is kept to a minimum, you will heal faster and get back on your
feet sooner.
- Applying a compression wrap is easy and can be done at
home.
- Elastic bandages are inexpensive and available at most
drugstores.
- You can wear a protective brace, such as a splint or a
device to keep your ankle from moving (immobilizer), over a compression wrap.
This can help prevent further injury to your ankle when you try to bear weight
on it.
An ankle sprain occurs when
ligaments that connect the bones in the foot, ankle,
and lower leg are stretched or torn.
An ankle sprain often
happens when you make a rapid shifting movement with your foot planted, for
example, when playing soccer or getting tackled in football. Most commonly, the
ankle rolls outward and the foot turns inward in what is called an
inversion injury. It results in stretching and tearing of the ligaments that
connect the bones in the foot, ankle, and lower leg on the outside of the
ankle.
Less commonly, the ankle rolls inward and the foot turns
outward in an
eversion injury, damaging the ligaments at the inside of the ankle.
Test Your Knowledge
When you sprain your ankle, you stretch and tear
ligaments.
-
True
This answer is correct.
An ankle sprain occurs when ligaments that
connect the bones in the foot, ankle, and lower leg are stretched and
torn.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
An ankle sprain occurs when ligaments that
connect the bones in the foot, ankle, and lower leg are stretched and
torn.
-
Continue to Why?
A
compression wrap helps decrease swelling. Wear a compression wrap until the
swelling is gone. The compression wrap will not protect the ankle.
Test Your Knowledge
Compression wraps help decrease
swelling.
-
True
This answer is correct.
A compression wrap helps decrease
swelling.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
A compression wrap helps decrease
swelling.
-
Continue to How?
To help control swelling,
some doctors recommend wrapping your ankle with an elastic bandage, also called
an ACE wrap. This product can be purchased at most drugstores. To apply a
compression wrap:
- Cut several horseshoe-shaped pieces of cloth
felt to form a 0.5 in. (1.3 cm)
thick pad. The pad will be placed (open end up) around the outside anklebone
for cushioning.
- Roll up the elastic bandage if it isn't already.
Hold your ankle at about a 90-degree angle. Start where your toes meet the body
of your foot. Hold the loose end of the bandage at the side of your foot. Wrap
the bandage around the ball of your foot once, keeping it somewhat taut with a
light pull.
- After this first wrap, slowly start circling your way
around the arch of the foot. Pull the bandage diagonally from the bottom of the
toes across the foot's top and circle it around the ankle. Now bring the
bandage diagonally across the top of the foot and under the arch in a
figure-eight pattern.
- When you get to the anklebone, wrap the
bandage around the felt piece so it stays in place at the outside anklebone.
Continue around the ankle and foot in a figure eight, moving toward the heel on
the bottom and toward the calf at the top of the eight. The wrap should cover
the entire foot and end several inches above the ankle.
Most compression wraps are self-fastening or come with clip fasteners. If not,
use tape to secure the end.
- The wrap should be snug but should not
cut off circulation to the foot. Check your toes. If they become purplish or
blue, cool to the touch, or numb or tingly, the wrap is too tight and should be
loosened. Also, loosen the wrap at night before bedtime.
See a picture of
how to wrap an ankle.
Test Your Knowledge
When applied properly, the elastic bandage should be
snug and offer your ankle firm support.
-
True
This answer is correct.
When applied properly, the elastic bandage
should be snug, but it should not be so tight that it cuts off your
circulation. Check your toes to make sure they are pink and warm. If they are
purplish or blue, cool to the touch, or numb or tingly, undo the wrap and start
over.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
When applied properly, the elastic bandage
should be snug, but it should not be so tight that it cuts off your
circulation. Check your toes to make sure they are pink and warm. If they are
purplish or blue, cool to the touch, or numb or tingly, undo the wrap and start
over.
-
Continue to Where?
For more information about applying a compression wrap, talk to:
If you would like more information about the care of
ankle sprains, the following resources are available:
Return to topic:
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|
Last Revised
|
November 15, 2011 |
Last Revised:
November 15, 2011