A slip down a few steps or fall on the football field could leave you in need of an ankle wrap. Ankle wraps promote healthy healing when applied correctly. Serious circulatory complications can occur when an ankle is wrapped to tight. Take care to avoid further injury by examining the tightness of your ankle wrap.
Instructions
1. Check the pulse located on the top of the foot. The pulse should feel strong and regular. Loosen the ankle wrap if the pulse feels weak or irregular.
2. Assess the color and temperature of the toes. The toes should feel warm and pink. Press each toenail bed to ensure the pink color promptly returns. Loosen the ankle wrap if the toes are sweaty or have a gray, purple or bluish coloring.
3. Perform the finger slide test. You should be able to slide one finger between the ankle wrap and the skin. This will allow the ankle room to swell.
4. Note any numbness or tingling in the toes. This is a sign of poor circulation.
5. Continue to check ankle wraps tightness. Swelling or movement could make the ankle wrap tighten.
Tags: ankle wrap, Loosen ankle, Loosen ankle wrap, should feel