Tape Vs Bracing for Sport

After injuries to the joints of the body, a sports doctor or physiotherapist might recommend that you require bracing or taping for returning to sport. This is to help prevent further injury to those areas until your rehabilitation is complete. Common areas for bracing and taping are fingers, thumbs, knees, ankles and shoulders.  

It is usually heavily dependent on the intensity and type of sport you are playing. For some contact sports, such as rugby and AFL bracing it is against the rules due to injury risk from a rigid support so taping is the only option. It also depends on the range of motion needed for the sport you are playing, for example, overhead based sports such as AFL and tennis braces might restrict movement too much, and taping might be more favourable.  

For ankle injuries, the bracing taping debate is harder, as the ankle usually needs to be taped/braced for training and games. Some find it hard on the skin to have it on 3 times a week, so may elect to use a brace for training, then tape for game days. It also depends if there is a sports trainer able to tape, if you do not know or have anyone else to do it. 

Speaking to your physiotherapist about the best option for your specific situation is key, as they consider all of the above issues and make a decision best for you.