Kinesiotaping

Kinesiotape is often used for instabilities. This supports the function of the tendons and can lead to an improved feeling of stability. However, the use of Kinesiotape is a symptomatic and not a causal treatment!

This means that the cause of the instability is not treated.Since Kinesiotaping is not a permanent solution, it should only be used for certain periods of time or during special stress such as sports. The danger is that without the tape one feels even more insecure and increasingly the joint stability is treated in everyday life by using Kinesiotape. Therefore you have to learn to rely on the muscular safety of your joint, which ideally is trained to treat the cause.

Through the permanent use of tape and splints, the ligaments are no longer strained and the instability continues to increase. Nevertheless, the use of kinesio- or even classical taping can be useful for a certain period of time in case of instability in the ankle joint. Especially if you start to remove the splint after immobilization, taping can be useful during a transitional period for free movement.

Can a splint help?

There are a variety of splints that secure the ankle joint. The same applies here as for (kinesio-) taping. In everyday life, a splint can provide relief, especially under heavy loads, and improve everyday function.

However, the permanent use of splints is rather bad for the joint and can lead to a loss of feeling for the joint due to immobilization. In the worst case, this can lead to an even greater feeling of instability as soon as the splint is no longer worn. After an operation, however, the joint should always be immobilized with a splint or, in very severe cases, even a plaster cast.

Within 4-6 weeks after surgery, the splint is usually removed slowly and the joint is then subjected to increasing stress. One should take care to start with a few hours without a splint, which increases progressively until the splint can be dispensed with completely. There is a wide range of different splints available.

The doctor or medical supply store can usually give very good advice at this point and recommend a suitable splint. Some splints can relieve the joint completely and immobilize it, others prevent a certain direction of movement, and yet others make it possible for the foot to roll normally and at the same time ensure that the joint can be protected despite the load. The choice of the right splint depends on the exact problem of the joint and the treatment plan of the treating physician.