Taping Guidelines for plantar fasciitis
It is strictly impossible to apply this bandage yourself, so you will need a colleague to do this. The position of the foot, as well as that of the bandages, is essential to their effectiveness. How taping a foot for plantar fasciitis?
STEP 1 :
- Purchase a 3.8cm x 13.7m “leukotape P” rigid adhesive bandage wheel. I
IMPORTANT: All other elastic bandages will not provide the same support.
- Unroll and pre-cut several strips according to the following dimensions:
- 5 strips about 20 cm long (3.8 cm wide)
- 4 strips about 12 cm long (3.8 cm wide)
STEP 2 :
- Get in position
Sit in a comfortable position with the knee extended and the foot at a right angle to the leg, so that the foot is free and easily accessible for the person doing your bandage.
It is important that your foot remains in this position at all times and does not move
STEP 3 :
- From here, your colleague should apply each of the adhesive strips in the order shown following the instructions. Start by applying the tape to anchor point "A", then finish applying the tape to anchor point "B". The tension and direction of the bands to be applied are indicated by the arrow in the images.
STEP 4 :
- Start by applying the first strip (20 cm) along the length of the foot starting at anchor point A, applying tension towards the anchor point B. If the tension is sufficient, you will find that there is a space for the band that does not touch the arch of the foot. This is what it takes!
Second, once anchor points A and B are in place, slide along the bandage to adhere it to the arch of the foot.
STEP 5 :
- One last step is complete, repeat the same technique with the other 4 20cm strips. The only variation is that the anchor point A is increasingly towards the outside of the foot, as shown in the picture.
STEP 6 :
- Now is the time to apply the cross bands. To do this, use the 12 cm strips. The application of anchor point A starts on the outer side of the foot and ends on the inner side by applying tension from point A to point B.
- Once this step is complete, repeat the same technique with the other 3 12cm strips. The only variation is that the anchor point A and B are further and further on the arch of the foot, as shown in the following image.
STEP 8 :
- Once these steps have been completed and the application of all 9 bands, all that remains is to make sure that this bandage remains in place. To do this, cover all the anchor points with the last two consolidation bands.
Apply a strip perpendicular to the forefoot first to consolidate the longitudinal strips.
STEP 9 :
- Then apply a second strip around the edge of the foot to consolidate the transverse strips.
There you go! The application of the therapeutic bandage is complete. Your first attempt may be unsuccessful, but it's all about starting over and being patient.
Advice from your podiatrist: I recommend wearing this bandage in place for about 3 days and then putting on a new one. This bandage is not water-resistant. This means that to keep it for a few days, you should cover it with a plastic bag when you showers, take a bath with your foot outside or wash with a washcloth.
- Radford, J. A., Landorf, K. B., Buchbinder, R., & Cook, C. (2006). Effectiveness of low-Dye taping for the short-term treatment of plantar heel pain: a randomised trial. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 7(1), 64.
- Saxelby, J., Betts, R. P., & Bygrave, C. J. (1997). ‘Low-Dye’taping on the foot in the management of plantar fasciitis. The Foot, 7(4), 205-209.
- McPoil, T. G., Martin, R. L., Cornwall, M. W., Wukich, D. K., Irrgang, J. J., & Godges, J. J. (2008). Heel pain—plantar fasciitis. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 38(4), A1-A18.