Ankle Brace for Sprain, Fracture and Prevention

This expert education guide will help you pick the correct ankle brace.

The above video will summarize how to pick the correct ankle brace.

You can watch the video or read on.

Ankle braces will speed up the recovery from an ankle sprain, strain, or injury.

They will help support and stabilize the ankle during the critical recovery period.

Ankle Braces and supports can even help minimize future sprains and injuries.

I will go over the advantages and reasoning of choosing a correct ankle support brace.

You can also just watch my video on the top of the page.

Wear an ankle brace or supportive IFast exoskeleton to prevent future ankle sprains.

The best way to prevent an ankle sprain is to strengthen the ankle via physical therapy.

Peroneal tendon strengthening is recommended. You will find videos to strengthen here.

The strengthening is done using an Exercise Band.

What to do after an Acute Initial ankle sprain?

After an acute ankle injury, I suggest wearing a rigid ankle brace or a tall walking boot.

Put on a soft brace around 4 weeks after the injury. Soft ankle braces will help decrease ankle sprains and swelling.

Finding an ankle brace you can be active in and supportive to prevent a new ankle sprain is a great long term goal.

It is important to do the physical therapy to prevent future ankle sprains.

Is Physical Therapy needed?

Physical Therapy will prevent future ankle sprains.

Wearing a rigid ankle brace for more than a few months can actually cause ankle weakness.

Your body will rely on the ankle brace to prevent rolling and the muscles will weaken.

What are the types of ankle braces available?

Light weight ankle sleeves

Stirrup ankle brace

Hybrid ankle brace

What ankle brace do I use after an acute sprain?

After you just sprained your ankle, a tall walking boot can be most comfortable to use.

After the swelling has gone down a Stirrup or Hybrid ankle brace is best.

What works well to control the swelling?

An ankle sleeve is great for swelling control.

Less swelling will mean less pain.

A compressive elastic bandage also helps.

Ice and elevation will also help to mimimize swelling and pain.

How do I choose an ankle brace?

Ankle braces should be initially chosen based on the level of injury.

There are braces to prevent injuries.

There are braces to help an injury heal.

• Rigid
• Semi-Rigid
• Soft

When should I wear an ankle brace?

An ankle brace to prevent injuries should be worn during the athletic activities.

An ankle brace to help an injury heal, should be worn any time you are walking. Eventually you are to decrease the constant wear time and the rigidity of the ankle brace.

What is the difference between ankle brace and ankle support?

Typically an ankle brace is considered more rigid of a device.

An ankle support is softer and has more mobility.

Long term wearing of an ankle brace will weaken your ankle.

The Aryse brace is a good exoskeleton construct to protect the ankle and minimizes ankle weakness.

Do ankle braces really work?

The simple answer is Yes.

They help speed up recovery from an ankle injury and help decrease future injuries.

It is important to wear the correct ankle brace for the result you are trying to achieve.

For acute injuries, a walking boot, followed by a rigid ankle brace is advised. Eventually moving to semi-rigid ankle support.

For ankle sprain prevention, the Aryse stability ankle system is a great option.

What is the most comfortable brace?

Really comfortable ankle support is by TechWare, you can purchase here. 

The Aryse ankle support is great to prevent future sprains. Use code OCPOD for a 10% discount. https://aryse.com/

What is the most supportive ankle brace?

The aircast will have great stability and can be purchased here. 

REP Band Pre-Cut Exercise Pack

An Exercise Board is used to increase proprioception and balance, increases range-of-motion, strengthens the lower kinetic chain and is appropriate for use in ankle therapy as well as active training.

 Ankle Exercise Board

Light weight ankle brace sleeves are used right after an injury to control edema. They are also good for the late stage in recovery.

The ankle brace gives your body feedback to pay closer attention to the ankle.

Since they are soft, it is much easier to move around.

The sleeve is less bulky.

• COMPRESSION IN A THIN ANKLE SLEEVE: Get Pain Relief From Arthritis, Sprains, Muscle Fatigue and Stress Fractures in a Slim Design That’s Easy To Use With Shoes But Not At the Expense of Less Compression.
• PREMIUM QUALITY COMFORT: Breathable Moisture Wicking Soft Fabric Contoured For Support and Stability. Improves Blood Circulation Helping With Edema Treatment, Bunion And Bursitis.
• NO SLIP FIT FOR ANY ACTIVITY: Stay Comfortable in the Game All Day and Night. Baseball, Crossfit, Running, Basketball, Soccer, Walking, Hiking, Tennis, Volleyball, Golf, Kickboxing, Gymnastics, Exercise Workout, Martial Arts, Dance, Cycling or Any Athletic Fitness Sport.

• ✅ SPEED UP RECOVERY: Provides you with compression that helps improve blood circulation and eases pain from heel spurs, Achilles heel, Plantar Fasciitis, and other foot related discomfort!
• ✅ WHEREVER YOU NEED IT: Whether you have a long day at work, are out for a run, or just want to keep the blood flowing while you sleep, our compression sleeve is comfortable enough to be worn anywhere, and won’t bulk your foot making it difficult to put on your favorite slippers or running shoes!
• ✅ FREE COMPRESSION STRAP: The strap provides extra compression and support, which are both important for times when you are active and help you prevent new injuries. This BONUS strap also relieves the debilitating pain from plantar fasciitis or a sprained ankle
• ✅ SUPER PREMIUM QUALITY: Made with the highest quality fabric that is quick at absorbing sweat and keeps your feet dry and odor free. The inner texture of the fabric gives you a smooth and soft touch feel

• Graduated compression from toes to calf assures increased venous activity.
• Reduces ankle swelling for faster healing and less pain.
• Soft, lightweight spandex/nylon knit for comfort and patient compliance.
• Fleshtone color for undetectable wear.

Elastic Bandages

The next line of ankle braces are known as the Stirrup Type.

These ankle braces will provide more support and a higher degree of inversion prevention.

They feel light and allow the ankle to bend up and down in a natural way.

Sometimes a half size larger shoe is needed.

These ankle braces provide ideal support during the healing process after an acute ankle sprain injury.

• Intended to prevent or treat acute ankle injuries, chronic instability, post-operative use and ankle sprains grade I, II, and III.
• Semi-rigid, anatomically designed shells are lined with patented Duplex air cells, which help stabilize and protect the ankle.
• Pre-inflated air cells provide pulsating compression while walking, enhance circulation and reduce swelling and edema.
• Resists inversion more than taping, yet normal flexion is virtually unrestricted.
• Universal fit allows the Aircast Air-Stirrup Universe Ankle Support Brace to be worn on either the left or right foot.

 

• T2 Rigid Ankle Braces offer an exceptional level of protection with a quick-fit single strap that is adjustable for both low-top and high-top shoes.
• Fits left or right foot, and offers maximum performance and protection for sports like volleyball, basketball and football.
• Sleek, less-bulky brace features feather-light, custom molded EVA padding, which hugs every contour of the ankle and is custom molded for fit and comfort.
• Anatomical bilateral hinge allows full foot range of motion up and down, which makes it suitable for sprains and strains.

The last type of ankle brace is a hybrid type.

The hybrid ankle braces typically consist of a strap and lace pattern.

They wrap around the ankle giving more control and support than a plain elastic brace.

The sides are usually softer allowing for increased comfort.

These type of ankle braces are used for a patient who is a higher risk for inversion injury, but still participates in a high energy sport.

All the above braces can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the image.

Last Updated 10-10-2024