Ankle instability

hi would appeciate any help regarding the effectiveness of taping, strapping or bracing for ankle instability. is there evidence to show that they work or are they more for confidence, or to act as a placebo? i know they are meant to help improve proprioception. but do any techniques work better than others? and if so why? thanks

Hi andylincoln,

Adequate evidence exists to say that taping, strapping or bracing is effective for ankle instability.

The latest evidence by Refshauge et al 2008, concluded that a standard taping technique (heel locks, figure of 6 and stirrups) reduces the incidence of resprain. However, the physiology is not clear.

The same paper also describes possible mechanisms of taping. Please have a look.

Here is a recent systematic review on the topic of functional and mechanical ankle instability. Not suprisingly their conclusion states there is a lack of quality evidence for most conservative measures. My sense is that taping is likely to assist with mechanical instability but may not be theoretically useful for functional instability as it seems to actually impair proprioceptive sense rather than enhance it (as the article above suggests).