The ankle joint is put under enormous strain in many sports, and ligament injuries or torn tendons can cause instability and pain. But also simple twisting can cause pain in the ankle joint, which can negatively influence the mobility and resilience of the joint in everyday life and training. Tapes are used especially for muscle and ligament injuries and joint pain as well as for prevention. A distinction is made between inelastic tapes, which are usually white and can stabilize the joint more strongly, and the elastic kinesiotapes in bright colors, which offer only light support and restrict the joint’s mobility less.
Leukotape for ankle joint injuries
Leukotape classically consists of inelastic cotton fabric and is very tensile. It sticks very firmly and is usually easy to tear both lengthwise and crosswise. Leukotape can be used for inelastic bandages on the ankle joint if the aim is to partially immobilize or stabilize the joint.
This can be used, for example, after injuries to ligaments, muscles or tendons, but also to prevent such injuries. Particularly in sports that involve a high degree of joint stress, such as tennis, handball or soccer, taping the ankle with Leucotape before a game or competition can be useful to give the joint more stability and prevent injuries. It is important that a swollen joint is never taped or that a tape bandage is applied if the injury is unclear. Since the leukotape is not flexible and does not give way in case of swelling, it can otherwise lead to circulatory problems, mictocirculation disorders and in the worst case to thrombosis. A further disadvantage is that immobilization by the leukotape can lead in the long run to the degradation of the stabilizing muscles, which is why the tape should not be worn permanently.
Kinesiotape – when is it used?
Kinesiotape, unlike Leukotape, is flexible and can be stretched both lengthwise and crosswise. Since Kinesiotape is stretchable, it cannot be used to immobilize the joint. This effect may be desired in order to maintain a residual activity of the joint-stabilizing muscles and not to restrict the freedom of movement of the joint too much.
For pain not caused by a torn tendon or ligament, it may be more sensible not to immobilize the joint completely. However, Kinesiotape‘s stretchability makes it less reliable in preventing the joint from buckling or twisting, as it offers less stability.
- It is usually applied under tension in the direction of the muscles or ligaments that are to be supported or relieved.
Exercising traction can also have an influence on the position of the joint and on muscle tension. The grooves on the adhesive side of the kinesiotape are also intended to have a positive effect on skin and muscle tension.
- Kinesiotape is mainly used for muscle and joint pain, it is flexible and can therefore be worn for several days. In addition to the slightly stabilizing effect, Kinesiotape is said to stimulate muscle metabolism and lymph drainage, thus reducing pain. It offers a light support of the joint without immobilizing it completely and can therefore be used without hesitation. However, it also gives less stability and does not prevent injuries.
