Derrick Rose has had a rash of recent lower body injuries. Now some speculate that taping his ankle may have led to more injuries instead of protecting against them.
Rose has sustained a number of injuries this season including a turf toe injury during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in January, groin and back injuries, and most recently an ankle sprain.
We’ve already mentioned how these injuries are all likely related, but new information sheds light on another possible cause of the injuries.
A source close to Rose reports that the Bulls’ trainers insisted on taping his feet and ankles after the initial injuries, despite Rose’s insistence otherwise. Rose has long been a supporter of ankle braces over taping. This taping could very well have led to Rose’s subsequent injuries.
Dr. Silverman Comments
Taping an ankle to prevent a sprain is worthless after 15 minutes. No tape sticks adequately to the skin beyond that time—it loosens and becomes a hindrance rather than a help. A well fit ankle stabilizing ankle brace is a much better option. A Trilok is my preferred brace as it allows unique control of the ankle through the midfoot, and thus helps prevent ankle instability.
Rose is right. Trainers love to tape but the benefits are hard to prove. Simple stabilization taping bottom line doesn’t help. The latest craze is the technique of Kinesio taping. Initial reports show promise but a recent meta-analysis doesn’t show a benefit from taping.
The bottom line for all people with ankle instability (including Derrick Rose) is this: either you brace the ankle and work to accommodate through physical therapy or you fix the ankle with surgery.
Related Sources:
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