A compression bandage may be most helpful to prevent swelling in the first few days after an injury. You can wear it longer as long as it doesn't make your pain worse.
Applying a compression bandage is simple and you can do it at home. The steps are similar whether you're bandaging your wrist, ankle, or anywhere else you need a bandage. Follow any instructions that come with the bandage.
Bandaging your ankle
First, cut a few pieces of felt in the shape of a horseshoe to create a one-centimeter-thick pad. Place the pad (open end facing up) under your anklebone to help prevent fluid from getting into the depression under your anklebone.
Next, roll up your elastic bandage if it isn't already rolled up. Hold your ankle at about a 90-degree angle. Start at the base of your toes. Wrap the bandage around the ball of your foot, pulling gently to keep it somewhat taut.
After the first wrap, slowly begin wrapping around the arch of your foot. Pull the bandage from the base of your toes over the top of your foot and then around your ankle. Now wrap the bandage over the top of your foot and then under the arch in a figure-eight pattern.
Once you reach the ankle bone, wrap the bandage around the felt piece, securing it just below the ankle bone. Continue wrapping around the ankle and foot in a figure-8 pattern, working from the sole of the foot toward the heel and up the calf. The bandage should cover the entire foot, from the base of the toes to about 10 cm above the ankle. Secure the ends with a clip or tape.
Wrap Around Wrist
If it is not already rolled up, roll up the elastic bandage. Start at the base of the fingers and wrap the bandage around your hand a few times. Then wrap it around your hand between the thumb and index finger. Wrap it around your wrist a few times, ending about 10 cm above the wrist. Secure the ends with a clip or tape.
