How to Rewrap an Injured Ankle with No Open Wounds
Use a semirigid ankle brace (Air-Stirrup type) combined with an elastic compression wrap for optimal support and fastest recovery. 1, 2
Recommended Wrapping Technique
The evidence strongly supports a specific approach to ankle support after injury:
Primary Support Method
- Apply a semirigid brace (such as an Air-Stirrup brace) combined with an elastic compression wrap rather than elastic wrap alone 1, 2
- This combination provides superior outcomes compared to:
- Elastic wrap alone
- Brace alone
- Tubigrip or double Tubigrip
- No support
Why This Combination Works Best
The 2018 British Journal of Sports Medicine guideline 1 explicitly recommends a semirigid brace as the most cost-effective option for ankle support. Research demonstrates that combining the Air-Stirrup brace with elastic wrap returns patients to normal walking and stair climbing in half the time compared to either intervention used alone 2. This applies to both grade I and grade II sprains.
Application Principles
When rewrapping, follow these key principles:
- Compression is essential: Apply the elastic wrap with firm, even compression to reduce swelling 1, 3
- Layer the support: Place the semirigid brace first, then apply the elastic compression wrap over it 2
- Maintain compression: The wrap should be snug but not restrict circulation
- Rewrap as needed: If the wrap loosens throughout the day, rewrap to maintain consistent compression
Duration of Support
- Continue wearing the brace and compression wrap until you are pain-free and fully mobile 4
- For grade I-II sprains, this typically facilitates the fastest return to function 2
- The support protects injured ligaments as you become more mobile 3
Important Caveats
Avoid prolonged immobilization: While you're using compression and support, early mobilization speeds healing better than prolonged rest 1, 3. The support should facilitate movement, not prevent it.
Elastic wrap alone is inferior: Studies show that simple elastic bandaging (Elastoplast) or Tubigrip provides no statistically significant benefit over no support at all 5, though elastic stockings (class II compression) may offer some advantage 4.
Prewrap consideration: If using athletic tape instead of a brace (which is less recommended), applying non-adhesive prewrap underneath can improve resistance to inversion by more than 10% 6. However, tape support diminishes significantly after 40 minutes of activity 6, making braces the superior choice.