REVIEW OF

LITERATURE
Lisa Bjaj
11617461
Section :-Z1602
Group-1

Margarita and Reyes (2010) considered ankle taping important in both the
acute and chronic stages of healing. In the acute stages ankle taping is used to
control swelling and range of movement (Callaghan 1997) which fulfills the
protection, rest and to a lesser extent compression components of the National
Institute of Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E) recommendations for acute
ligamentous sprains (P.R.I.C.E). Capasso et al (1989) compared non-adhesive
and adhesive tape on ankle oedema. The authors found that non-adhesive tape
should be replaced after three days owing to insufficient compression, however
the adhesive tape could last for five days. Compressive forces were measured
during this study by combining a sphygmomanometer in with the ankle taping.
The method of data collection can however been criticised as it does not provide
an exact measurement. The participants were asked to heel strike, full foot
weight bear and toe off weight bear in a mechanical action where between
phases a reading was taken whilst the position was held. This cannot offer a
functional representation to gait and does not reflect a real time gait cycle.
Moreover, three ‘operators’ were used to tape the ankles and although they
followed a standardised method, there was no mention about how pressure
applied was normalised.
 Boyce et al (2005) compared the value of taping and bracing in acute ankle
sprains. The authors randomised 50 participants into two even groups: one was
treated with an Aircast ankle brace and the other with a supportive elastic tape.
Participants were reviewed at 10 days and 1 month post intervention. Ankle
joint function was measured using the Karlson score whilst ankle girth
measured swelling, both groups showed significant improvements (p=0.028 and
p=0.014 respectively) in the bracing group compared with taping. Six out of
seventeen participants in the taping group did not complete this study thus
demonstrating a somewhat poor compliance to ankle taping. Callaghan (1997)
supported this observation in their literature review comparing ankle taping and
bracing in the athlete and felt taping may be of an inconvenience to the
participant and may be less comfortable than a brace.

Bridgeman et al (2003) found during a United Kingdom (UK) based

epidemiology study that the incidence of ankle sprain related attendances to
Accident and Emergency (A&E) accounted for 52.7 per 10 000 patients.
Moreover, 14% of ankle sprains seen in A&E were classified as severe equating
to 42 000 severe ankle sprains per year in the U.K. A large proportion of this
number would be expected to filter into the musculoskeletal outpatient setting,
however Hertal (2002) proposed that 55% of patients do not seek further
medical advise and are in danger of developing a chronically unstable ankle.

Mattacola & Dwyer (2002), Obrascous (1985) stated that There are three
main lateral ligaments of the ankle, the anterior talofibular ligament, posterior
talofibula ligament, and the calcaneofibular ligament. When the lateral ligament
complex is overstretched beyond its normal mechanical means, partially torn or
ruptured, the inflammatory response will be initiated (6-24 hours) with the
ensuing initiation of the proliferation and maturation stages of healing, Routine
physiotherapy must be initiated as soon as possible following a sprain in order
to maximize the inflammatory process, initiate collagen stretching and
strengthening and finally begin an appropriate proprioception exercise circuit.
Poor or prolonged initiation of correct rehabilitation following injury is one
cause of chronic ankle instability (CAI).