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Coping with an injured or painful knee is hard, but taping it can provide some relief. Not only that, but taping your knee also adds support for your knee. To tape your knee, you'll need to first place crossing strips on either side of your leg, framing your knee. Then, anchor your straps by wrapping more tape around your knee. If you have a tape allergy, you should apply a hypo-allergenic base, first.
Steps
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Sit down on a flat surface. Great options include the floor or an elevated table, depending on what's available to you. Although a table may make it easier for someone else to wrap your knee, you need to make sure it's stable. [1] X Research source -
Elevate your knee with a rolled towel or similar item (optional). This should put your knee at a 30 degree angle. Although you don't have to do this, it makes it easier to hold your knee in place during the wrapping.
- Without the support of a towel or similar object, you may find it too tiring or painful to hold your knee in place.
- If you don't want to use a towel, you could try a water bottle or a round foam massaging roller.
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Apply a hypo-allergenic base, if you're allergic to sports tape. The base layer, which goes under your tape, will protect you from an allergic reaction. Make sure that your entire knee is covered in a base layer before you start wrapping your knee.- It's best to wrap your knee with the base layer using the same method as you're using for your actual sports tape. Simply follow the procedure for wrapping your knee, but use the base layer instead of your sports tape.
- Once your base layer is in place, apply your sports tape.
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Cut 14–15 inch (35.6–38.1 cm) strips of sports tape. Use scissors to cut your tape. If you're using pre-cut tape, simply pull the strips off the roll, as they're needed. This will be the standard strip length for this procedure.
- Most pre-cut rolls have 14 inch (35.6 cm) strips.
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Apply the strip to your knee. Place one end of the strip about 4 inches (10.2 cm) above the knee, in the center of the thigh. Then, slowly smooth it down along the outside of your leg, crossing over the side of your knee. [2] X Research source
- The strip should finish in the center of the calf, below the back of the knee.
- All strips should be placed so that circulation will not be cut off.
- It is best to always have a little tension when placing each strip. Do not pull hard or let the strip hang loose.
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Add the next strip, starting below the knee and moving up. Place one end of a second strip of cut tape about 4 inches (10.2 cm) below the knee, in the center of the shin. Slowly smooth the strip up the outside of your leg, crossing over the side of the knee and intersecting the first strip on the side of the knee. The strip should finish in the center of the thigh, above the back of the knee. [3] X Research source
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Apply the strips to the inside of your knee. Repeat steps 2 through 5 on the inside of the knee to mirror the first two strips. [4] X Research source
- This should create an X on each side of the knee.
- The ends of both X’s should start and stop in the same place.
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Cut out a strip of tape that will go around your whole thigh. This length will vary person to person. You may want to measure your thigh before you cut the tape so that you don't waste any.
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Apply the first anchor strap. Place one end of the strip on top of the ends of the two strips already placed, which should be 4 inches (10.2 cm) above the knee. This will be the top of your "X." [5] X Research source
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Wrap the piece around the leg. Go slowly so that your application is even. Cover the ends of the two strips on the back of your thigh. Finally, finish where you started.
- This anchors the crossing strips down.
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Cut out a strip of tape that will go around your whole calf. This length will vary person to person. You may want to measure the tape before you cut it so that you don't risk wasting a piece.
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Start this anchor at the lower points of your "X." Place one end of the strip on top of the ends of the two strips already placed, which should be 4 inches (10.2 cm) below your knee. Slowly wrap the piece around the leg, covering the ends of the two strips on the back of the calf. You should finish in the same place where you started, creating a circle around your leg. [6] X Research source
- This serves as another anchor.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionI hyper-extended my right knee 2 days ago. I am in gymnastics, and I really cannot afford to take it easy right now. It hurts right below my knee cap on the top of my shin bone. Any suggestions? :)Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.There are 2 different ways that you rehab a minor tissue injury, such as this. You can use Movement, Elevation, Traction, and Heat (METH), or you could do Rest, Immobilization, Cold, and Elevation (RICE). It's best to ask your healthcare provider which is best with you.
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QuestionWhat do I do if a person has varicose veins?Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.Don't tape their knee until you've spoken to their doctor. In this case, you'll need advice from a healthcare provider.
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QuestionWhat is the best for patella support when taping my knees?Community AnswerWrap your whole knee in prewrap, then roll until it is one strip below the patella.
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Tips
- Although these steps can be performed by yourself, best results occur when another person does the taping.Thanks
- If you have leg hair, and would like to keep it, a base tape or other type of pre-wrap should be laid down. Shaving beforehand also works.Thanks
- This is a basic strategy for reducing pain. There are other, more complex ways to tape a knee.Thanks
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Warnings
- If you experience an increase in pain, or numbness, stop what you are doing. If the symptoms persist, seek medical help.Thanks
- Please do not attempt this if you have a fracture or other serious injury, or have circulatory problems.Thanks
- If you have a skin allergy, consult your doctor before choosing this method of treatment.Thanks
- Taping depends on the nature of your injury, and/or your anatomy. Consult a medical professional for advice before you begin.Thanks
- Taping your knee does not guarantee absolute protection or support for your kneeThanks
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Things You'll Need
- Sports/athletic tape - roll or pre-cut (adhesive, non-stretch, hypo-allergenic)
- Rolled up towel, large water bottle, or similar object to place under your knee
- Scissors (if your tape is not pre-cut)
- Hypo-allergenic base tape or pre-wrap (optional)
References
- ↑ http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/mcl-sprain/taping-medial-ligament-sprain
- ↑ http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/mcl-sprain/taping-medial-ligament-sprain
- ↑ http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/mcl-sprain/taping-medial-ligament-sprain
- ↑ http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/mcl-sprain/taping-medial-ligament-sprain
- ↑ http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/mcl-sprain/taping-medial-ligament-sprain
- ↑ http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/mcl-sprain/taping-medial-ligament-sprain
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you need to tape an injured knee, sit down on a flat surface. Place a strip of sports tape about 4 inches above your knee, in the center of your thigh. Slowly smooth the tape down along the outside of your leg, crossing over the side of your knee. Add another strip, this time starting below the knee and moving up. Apply 2 more strips on the inside of your knee, creating an X on each side of the knee. Finish by wrapping one strip of tape around your thigh at the top of the Xs and another around your calf at the bottom. Keep reading for tips from our reviewer on how to apply a hypoallergenic base if you’re allergic to sports tape!
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