Ankle Joint Support: A Comparison of Reusable Lace-on Braces With Taping and Wrapping

Abstract

In brief: This study compared prophylactic taping and cotton wrapping with five lace-on braces to determine the best way to provide ankle support. Inversion torque was applied to a specially instrumented polyurethane foot form supported by the tape, wrap, and braces. Fresh adhesive tape provided the best level of support. However, after 350 inversion cycles, the percent of loss of support was also highest for the tape. No significant difference was found in the amount of support offered by tape and the two best ankle braces after the 350 cycles.