Effects of the subtalar sling ankle taping technique on combined talocrural-subtalar joint motions

Background: The findings of research on the effectiveness of ankle taping for protection against ligament injury have been inconsistent, and the topic remains controversial. The precise orientation of the force vectors created by tension within the various tape strip components of an ankle taping procedure may be a critical factor influencing the degree of motion restraint that is provided. We hypothesized that the addition of the subtalar sling component to the widely recognized standard (Gibney) ankle taping procedure would enhance restraint of ankle motion. This was a controlled laboratory study, with fully repeated measures (subjects served as their own controls). Methods: An ankle arthrometer was used to quantify anteroposterior (AP) translation and frontal plane inversion-eversion (I-E) tilt of the talocrural-subtalar joints under untaped and taped conditions in normal subjects. A 15-minute exercise session was conducted to loosen the tape before measurement of its effect on motion restraint. Results: The ankle taping procedure that incorporated the subtalar sling provided significantly greater restriction of postexercise AP translation (p < 0.001, eta(2) = 0.63) and postexercise I-E tilt (p < 0.001, eta(2) = 0.66). Conclusions: The subtalar sling ankle taping procedure provides greater restriction of motions associated with ankle instability than the more widely used Gibney procedure.