How to Wrap a Knee With Athletic Tape

Knee problems come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This is mostly because the knee has so many different muscles and tendons merging near it. Because of this, it makes it difficult for people to self-diagnose their knee problems. Many times, it is best to seek a physical therapist or doctor before trying to treat injuries or pains on your own. If you already know the problem, then you can try this taping method.

Instructions

• 1

  Bend your knee between 5 and 15 degrees. You will want to leave it bent this way for the entire taping process to ensure you will still have mobility when you are finished.

• 2

  Cover your knee area from midthigh to midcalf with the pre-taping wrap, or shave that entire area.

• 3

  Wrap two bands of elastic sports wrap around your midthigh and midcalf. These two pieces will act as anchors for later taping.

• 4

  Tape one layer of tape around the bottom of the elastic wrap you put around your thigh and also around the top of the sports wrap you put around your calf.

• 5

  Apply a piece of athletic tape from the back/inside of the thigh (over the piece of tape you applied in Step 4) diagonally over the side of the inside of the knee down to the front of your calf (again, over the tape you applied in Step 4).

• 6

  Lay another piece of tape over top of the piece applied in Step 5.

• 7

  Apply a piece of tape to cross over the piece you laid in Step 5. Start in the front of the thigh, crossing over the inside of the knee to the back of the calf. Ensure both ends are over the piece of tape applied in Step 4.

• 8

  Lay another piece of tape over top of the piece applied in Step 7.

• 9

  Apply two piece of tape on top of each other down the middle of the "X" you just made. This piece, as with the others, should touch both pieces of tape applied in Step 4.

• 10

  Lay another piece of tape over top of the pieces you applied in Step 4. This will secure the bands you applied in Steps 5 to 9.

• 11

  Use elastic sports wrap to cover the entire area. The best way to do this is to follow all of the Steps 4 to 10 by using a continuous piece of elastic sports wrap.

• 12

  Use another piece of elastic bandage to wrap the entire area midthigh to midcalf. Use a spiral-like action, going around the thigh, then down around the calf and continue toward the knee until the entire taped area is covered. Do not cover the knee.