Ankle sprain

The ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in sport. It is common in sports requiring frequent rapid changes in direction including basketball, netball and tennis. It is also common in the football codes, namely AFL, Rugby League and soccer.

A severe ankle sprain may be associated with ligament damage and can sometimes take up to 6-8 weeks for full recovery. In the rehabilitation phase, it is important to retrain the muscles around the ankle to improve strength and balance. In athletes who repeatedly sprain their ankles, a surgical reconstruction may be required to improve the ankle's stability.

It is recommended that athletes who have had, or are at risk of having recurrent ankle sprains, should have their ankles taped before playing any sport. The video below presented by the head trainer of Queensland University Rugby Club describes how to tape an ankle.

Alternatively, an ankle brace can be worn to stabilise the ankle. This is more convenient and potentially more cost-effective when compared to serial taping.