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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
An elastic bandage used for a foot and ankle sprain is a stretchable wrap that gives light compression and support over the foot and the ankle joint. Published patient guidance describes a wrap that covers the whole foot and ends about 7 centimetres above the ankle, is fastened with a clip, a self-fastening end or tape, and is snug without cutting off circulation. The people who handle these products include home users, school and team staff, clinic and first-aid staff, and buyers stocking wound-care and orthopaedic supplies.
What an elastic bandage is for a foot and ankle sprain
An elastic bandage (often called a compression wrap or ace-wrap) is a stretchable strip of fabric wound around a body part. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says compression dressings, bandages or ace-wraps “will immobilize and support your injured ankle.” The NHS lists compression with a bandage as one element of PRICE (protect, rest, ice, compression, elevate) guidance for sprains, “to help bring down swelling and support the injury.” For the general product class, see what an elastic bandage is.
The published sources on this topic describe ankle sprains and wraps that cover the foot, so this page says “foot and ankle” throughout.
What an elastic bandage is used for
US federal regulation defines an elastic bandage as “a device consisting of either a long flat strip or a tube of elasticized material that is used to support and compress a part of a patient’s body” (21 CFR 880.5075(a)). The same regulation classifies it as Class I (general controls) and exempt from premarket notification, subject to the limitations in 21 CFR 880.9. In short, the intended uses in the regulation are support and compression of a body part. For a foot or ankle sprain, AAOS and the NHS describe the same two functions, as quoted above.
What a compression bandage is
An international consensus paper on compression terminology (International Compression Club, Phlebology, 2025) defines a compression bandage as “a strip of stretchable textile that can be wrapped around the leg/arm/midline region.” It defines compression therapy as applying a compression device around a body segment to exert external pressure. The paper groups compression materials by how far they stretch: non-stretchable (elongation under 10%), short stretch (10 to 100%) and long stretch (over 100%). An elastic bandage in the US regulatory sense is therefore one kind of compression bandage. For the little-stretch type, see short-stretch bandages.
What a foot-and-ankle wrap covers
HealthLink BC, a British Columbia government health service, describes a compression wrap for a sprained ankle that starts at the foot, passes around the ankle in a figure-eight pattern, covers the entire foot and ends about 7 centimetres above the ankle (page current as of 9 November 2022). It also notes that most compression wraps are self-fastening or come with clip fasteners, and that tape is used to secure the end if neither is present. The page additionally mentions an optional horseshoe-shaped felt pad, 1.25 cm (0.5 in.) thick. For instructions on use, follow the product’s own instructions and the advice of a clinician.
What each source says about compression
| Source | What it says about the wrap | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| HealthLink BC (page current as of 9 Nov 2022) | Compression wrap from the foot to above the ankle | Covers the entire foot; ends about 7 cm above the ankle; snug, not cutting off circulation |
| AAOS OrthoInfo, “Sprained Ankle” | Compression dressings, bandages or ace-wraps immobilize and support the ankle; compression garments are also an option | Garments can be worn “as long as you are able to tolerate them” |
| NHS, “Sprains and strains” (reviewed 23 Apr 2024) | Compression is one element of PRICE guidance | A bandage is wrapped around the injury to support it during the day |
Types and variants
| Type | Typical use | Key difference | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-fastening elastic wrap | Compression wrap over foot and ankle | Holds without a separate fastener | HealthLink BC |
| Wrap with clip fasteners | Compression wrap over foot and ankle | Ends are held with clips supplied with the wrap | HealthLink BC |
| Wrap secured with tape | Used when the wrap has no built-in fastener | Tape holds the end in place | HealthLink BC |
| Compression garment | Alternative to a wrapped bandage | Worn rather than wound on | AAOS OrthoInfo |
For how a wrap differs from a sleeve, brace or boot, see ankle compression sleeves and lace-up ankle braces. For a bandage with little stretch, see short-stretch bandages. Suppliers list elastic bandages in several forms.
Features and sizing
The published sources describe two product features: the fastening (self-fastening, clips, or tape) and a fit described as snug without cutting off circulation. They do not give bandage widths or lengths, so none are listed here. The manufacturer’s instructions for use for a specific product govern its sizing and handling.
FAQ
What is an elastic bandage used for?
21 CFR 880.5075 describes an elastic bandage as a strip or tube of elasticized material used to support and compress a part of a patient’s body.
What is a compression bandage?
The International Compression Club consensus paper (Phlebology, 2025) defines it as a strip of stretchable textile that can be wrapped around the leg, arm or midline region to apply external pressure. Materials are grouped as non-stretchable, short stretch or long stretch.
What is an elastic bandage used for on a sprained foot or ankle?
AAOS says compression dressings, bandages or ace-wraps immobilize and support an injured ankle. The NHS describes a bandage as a way to support the injury during the day as part of PRICE guidance.
How far up the leg does a foot and ankle wrap extend?
HealthLink BC describes a wrap that covers the entire foot and ends about 7 centimetres above the ankle.
How is an elastic wrap fastened?
HealthLink BC says most compression wraps are self-fastening or come with clip fasteners, and that tape is used to secure the end otherwise.
Is a compression garment an alternative to a wrapped bandage?
AAOS says compression garments can also be worn as long as a person is able to tolerate them.
Where can I find medical guidance on a sprain?
This page covers products only. The NHS and AAOS pages listed below explain when to seek medical evaluation, and a clinician can advise on an individual injury.
Sources
All sources checked 2026-10-31.
- HealthLink BC, “Sprained Ankle: Using a Compression Wrap” (current as of 9 November 2022): https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/Node/5940
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo, “Sprained Ankle”: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases–conditions/sprained-ankle/
- NHS, “Sprains and strains” (last reviewed 23 April 2024): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/
- US eCFR / Cornell LII, 21 CFR 880.5075, Elastic bandage: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/880.5075
- Mosti G, et al., International Compression Club consensus group, “Compression terms: Defining terminology of compression therapy”, Phlebology, 2025: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12575810/
