The best way to prevent ankle sprains is to have strong and flexible foot, calf, and shin muscles. Some experts have suggested taping your ankles as a method of preventing sprains. This might be helpful if you have chronic problems, but it isn't necessary in a healthy individual.

The immediate treatment for a sprained ankle is to apply an ice pack, wrap it with an elastic bandage, and elevate your leg. Gently point your foot downward and upward. During the first few days after an ankle sprain, you should continue with ice, elevation, and compression. As you begin to rehabilitate your injury, use a closed ankle taping to support the joint. Continue to tape your ankle and apply ice during the total period of rehabilitation.

Closed Ankle Taping Procedure

1. Apply an underwrap to your foot and leg to protect them from the tape. The underwrap could be thin foam rubber or a nylon stocking.
2. Apply an anchor strip about three inches above your ankle.
3. Apply two or three stirrup strips from the anchor strip on your leg, over the outside or lateral part of your ankle, under your foot, over the inside or medial part of your ankle, and back to the inside part of the anchor strip. Overlap the stirrup strips and little bit.
4. Apply a gauze or foam pad to the instep. Then apply cross strips - extend the cross strips so that they completely cover the top of the foot and shin.
5. Apply a heel lock. This technique is used to keep the foot from moving from side to side and twisting. Begin the heel lock strip at the outside of the ankle. Tape across the instep and the inside part of the ankle, around the Achilles tendon, under the arch, and then back to the instep.