How to Wrap an Ankle With an Elastic Bandage

Available in a variety of sizes, elastic bandages aid in mending strains and giving support to injured joints, including ankles. The bandages, available at retail drug and medical supply stores as well as online, come with clips or tape for securing the wrap; and are washable. When wrapping an ankle with an elastic bandage, you don't want the bandage too tight---this will lead to the blood not circulating properly to the ankle. The bandage should be comfortable and the clips/tape should be fastened in a position not touching your skin.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic bandage
• Metal clips or 21" x 2" adhesive tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Put the loose end of the rolled elastic bandage on the top of your foot. Hold the loose end with one hand and unroll the bandage around your foot with your other hand.

• 2

  Release the hand holding the loose end as you wrap the bandage a second time around your foot. Overlap the second wrap so the bandage is on your foot in a crisscross manner.

• 3

  Place one hand on your heel to cover it, and then wrap the bandage with your other hand toward the ankle in a spiral manner to form a figure "8." Repeat until you reach the end of the roll. The bandage should be firmly around your ankle and foot but not pulled tight, as this may cause discomfort and/or restrict blood flow. (Note: your heel is left exposed---and that is OK.)

• 4

  Stick the loose end of the elastic bandage underneath one of the folds of the figure "8." Use the metal clip or a piece of 21" x 2" adhesive tape to secure the loose end to the wrapped bandage.

  Metal clips come with the elastic bandage, but if you lose the clips, you can use adhesive tape in their place.