Seriously, keep your feet elevated. It took me 6 months to fully get over my foot pain (they never could explain it). The stirrup wrap is really hard to master. So be patient and keep all of your rehab appointments -- plus religiously adhere to the homework exercises they give you. It's a pain to keep up with, but the discipline will pay off in time spent not being in pain when it's all over with. I was in my late 40s when my bones started complaining. Age makes a difference.

since I had surgery on the other ankle after a really bad double sprain in 2007. But apparently, that year of struggling repays me by harming the uninjured ankle, since I'm overcompensating for the weakness in my injured one. Grrr arrrgh.

Thank you for your advice.

Otherwise the tape will slip and offer no support at all.

Best wishes. This won't be easy, but hopefully it'll pay off.

I'm not in such good shape that I can afford to lose the very gentle exercise I do, which is mostly walking and some water aerobics.

And honestly, I don't know whether I sweat much on my feet. I guess I'll find out.

Wait.

I have to learn to read the whole post before replying.

I do have a headboard with slats, tho', if that helps?

in high school we taped our ankles for football. I don't remember it being particularly bothersome but now I have no hair on my legs from about mid-shin down. I know we never bothered with shaving so I assume (i don't remember specifically) the constant 4 years of taping and un-taping ripped out all the hair-producing bits and left me a half-smoothie.

I should note I was never incredibly hirsute. I am still almost embarrassingly childlike in the body-hair department. But you can certainly tell the difference between upper shin and lower.

During summer, I usually cave to societal pressure and shave, especially since I spend 7 weeks in the US every summer. (More askance looks there than in the cold north - not to mention more opportunities to wear shorts!)

so I swim in a sea of legs. I don't think I've ever noticed whether a lady shaved her legs or not EXCEPT for the few times I've seen a woman with unshaven legs AND with hose on. Unshaven legs really stand out in hose. I've long since accepted that it's none of my business so I no longer wonder "what the hell is she thinking!?!" and now, at most, I'll think "Yeah! Good for her! Ain't nobody telling her shit!"

almost daily through part of the year when I was in high school and college. Well more precisely I had it taped almost daily, the trainers did all the work and they were magicians with that stuff. I didn't have to do it myself very often.

My general pattern was to shave the ankle area in the morning prior to taping in the late afternoon or evening or it can get uncomfortable. I used an underwrap first (leukowrap?) and then taped the stirrups in place with an anchor around the calf.

If it's put on properly it's not painful to wear but it can be a bit cumbersome and doing it right is key. If they want you to tape it yourself make sure your physio guy teaches you well, hopefully he makes you do it while he watches. It is annoying but if it's only three weeks it shouldn't be too bad.

Even better if you have to do it yourself is to bring someone in that can tape it for you and have them learn how to do it right. I found my ankles were better taped if I could lie flat on my back and have them done rather than crossing the ankle over your knee.

This video should give you an idea of what it'll be like. Good luck

Unfortunately, I don't have anyone who can tape it for me (during health crises is really the only time I regret not having a significant other - my family lives in a different part of the country.) I really appreciate your advice, thank you.

something to ask the physio guy.

If you have to keep the ankle taped all day you may want to put some gauze/padding underneath if possible to wick up moisture, especially as it's warming up. You don't want it getting too slick under the tape, not only is it going to loosen the wrap but it can produce a pretty "poor" atmosphere around the house when you finally cut it off at night.

You would probably be more comfortable if you can do it, I think there are conditions where you can't have much padding between the tape and the skin but it doesn't hurt to ask.