Ankles are delicate joints, and injuries to them are common at all ages–from elementary school soccer players to the elderly with arthritis. Ankle support can help prevent injury or help you recover from an injury faster and give you the mental confidence needed to get back on your feet. Below, we explain the three benefits of ankle supports and how to buy the right ankle support for you.
Benefits of Ankle Supports
So what are the benefits of an ankle support besides, well, support? Here are three more reasons you might want to consider an ankle brace:
Injury Prevention
While not quite as complicated as your hands, your ankle is still comprised of seven tarsal bones. This configuration means that your ankles are great at flexing and moving, sometimes a little too much so. Your ankles have to bear the weight of nearly your entire body, which makes them prone to sprains and other injuries. Ankle support helps hold everything in place and reduces your chances of accidentally turning your joints.
Pain Reduction
Maybe it’s too late for injury prevention, and you’ve already gotten a sprained ankle. Even so, ankle support can still help by reducing swelling and alleviating pain in the process. An ankle brace will also provide joint extra support as you heal up and keep you from exacerbating your symptoms or re-injuring it.
Better Mobility
Many foot conditions can limit your mobility, including arthritis, sprains, ankle pain, inflammation, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. Wearing an ankle support can help you regain some of your old mobility by alleviating your symptoms or preventing a flare-up. Ankle support can also give you the mental confidence you need to stop worrying about falls every time you leave the house.
How to Buy an Ankle Support
You’re convinced that you need to buy an ankle brace, so now what? Once you talk to your doctor and ask what option is best for you, here are four steps to follow that will make buying your brace a breeze.
Consider your reasons for buying an ankle brace.
People buy ankle supports for all sorts of reasons, whether they’re struggling with foot pain or trying to prevent athletic accidents. Ask yourself why you need to get an ankle brace and let that guide your decision. If you need an ankle brace for multiple situations—such as vigorous workouts and everyday walking—you might need to consider purchasing one for each type of activity. For example, in the above scenario, you might want a heavy-duty hinged brace for working out and a lighter ankle support sock for simply walking around the house.
Decide how long you will wear it.
Are you planning to wear the ankle supports for just an hour or two at a time, or for the entire day? If you need to wear the brace for hours without taking it off, it’s especially important to choose a material that will allow your skin to breathe and that will wick away sweat. Check the label to see what material the brace is made of. Also, try stretching the brace to see how quickly it bounces back. You don’t want a brace that will stretch out during the day because you won’t get the support you need.
Choose a type of ankle support.
We already covered the main ankle support types in a previous blog, but here’s a quick refresher:
- Tape provides light, flexible support, but it stretches out quickly. Mastering the wrapping technique can be tricky.
- Ankle support socks are essentially compression sleeves for your foot. They can be used for minor sprains and to keep stiff joints warm.
- Semi-rigid braces limit both up-and-down and side-to-side motion and may be combined with a lace-up or figure-8 design for additional support.
- Hinged braces use rigid side supports attached to the heel part with a hinge. They constrain side-to-side motion while letting your foot tilt up and down freely.
- Rigid braces are the most restrictive of all and feature one continuous piece of plastic that keeps the foot from moving.
Try it on and adjust the fit.
Many ankle braces are based on shoe size, so take your measurements before buying. If you picked the right size but it still feels uncomfortable, adjust the brace by making it either tighter or looser, or by wearing a different sock or shoe with it. Once you’ve gotten everything adjusted, you should feel like the brace is secure enough to give you support, but not so tight that you’re in pain or that it’s cutting off your circulation.
If you’re in the market for ankle support but aren’t sure which one to choose, customer service representatives at Ames Walker is always happy to help guide you through your decision.
About the Author
Kaki Zell- Vice President of Sales, Marketing, eCommerce at Legs-4-Life LLC Kaki holds aBachelor of Sciencedegreein BusinessAdministrationandManagement from VirginiaPolytechnic Institute andState University. She’sbeenworking in the medical device industry for over11yearsand currently serves on the Board ofDirectors for theGreensboroScience Center.
Written April 2019 | Page Last Updated January 2022
Sources
Britannica. “Tarsal Bone” https://www.britannica.com/science/tarsal
Government of Alberta. “Applying a Compression Wrap for a Sprained Ankle” https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=zm2802
FAQs
How to Choose the Best Ankle Brace
- Comfort: Make sure you select the correct size and material for your ankle brace, consider how breathable you want the brace to be.
- Frequency: Depending on your needs, you may wear your ankle brace for a short period of time or all day.
What is the difference between an ankle brace and ankle support? Typically an ankle brace is considered a more rigid device. An ankle support is softer and has more mobility. The long-term wearing of an ankle brace will weaken your ankle.
What are the cons of ankle support? ›
Wearing an ankle brace can cause reliance
If your young athlete only wears an ankle brace after an injury and does not undergo rehabilitation, the ankle may remain weak, even after healing. That weakness can increase the chances of a secondary injury and potentially make it difficult for them to continue with sports.
Can I wear ankle support everyday? ›
If you are using your ankle brace as a rehabilitative or treatment device you should wear your brace while performing any daily activities to provide more stability and prevent re-injury.
What ankle brace do doctors recommend? ›
Rigid braces: Doctors often prescribe rigid braces to athletes or active people to help them recover from an ankle sprain or stress fracture. This type of ankle brace is made from hard plastic that extends up either side of the ankle and is secured with Velcro straps.
Do you wear socks under or over ankle support? ›
If you wear an orthosis or brace on your feet, ankles or knees, you need to wear some sort of sock underneath it. The sock protects your skin, keeps your skin dry and helps prevent blisters or sores. For the best protection, wear a sock that extends past the top of your brace.
Should you sleep with an ankle brace on or off? ›
Use braces, compression, or supports should be for daytime use only. However, you can use an ankle wrap at night for extra support. Make sure the wrap stays loose enough for some movement and circulation. Do not wrap the foot as tight as you would in daytime use for more movement.
Is it better to tape your ankle or wear a brace? ›
Best Practice for Preventing Ankle Injuries
Comparing the two preventative therapies, they found that wearing an ankle brace was twice as effective for preventing ankle injuries as taping.
Can you walk normally with an ankle brace? ›
Ankle splints may be used for sprains, fractures, and dislocations. You may be able to walk with an ankle splint, but often not right away. After injuries such as sprains, fractures, and dislocations occur, they usually need time to heal before weight-bearing.
How do you know if you need ankle support? ›
You're very likely to benefit from wearing an ankle brace if you have a significant ankle ligament tear (Grade 2 or 3). (Read more about the grading of ankle ligament tears.) Minor ankle sprains usually don't require a brace, but Grade 2 and 3 sprains can benefit from one.
Measure the widest part of the ankle. If in-between sizes, select the smaller size for a snugger fit.
What is good ankle support? ›
Best Overall
The Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer is our top pick because it's made from high-quality materials and provides superior support. The padding is comfortable, and its unique design makes it suitable to wear on either ankle.
Is ankle support good for walking? ›
If you have weak or injured ankles or deal with ankle pain, choosing a pair of shoes with extra ankle support is essential to keep you comfortable and confident during exercise.
What can I use if I don't have an ankle brace? ›
Wrap the ankle with an Ace Bandage or Coban Self-Adhering Wrap, to support the ankle and minimize the rapid swelling that occurs immediately after injury. Check the toes often to make sure there's blood circulation beyond the bandage. If they turn blue or numb, loosen the wrap slightly.
Can I wear ankle support with shoes? ›
Footwear. You must always wear a shoe with your brace, because it is ineffective without one. The shoe should be sturdy and supportive; slippers, loafers, and some sandals may be inappropriate. Your brace may not fit all of your shoes but it can be modified to fit most casual shoes that are accommodating.
How do I know my ankle support size? ›
Size Guide For Ankles
Measure the circumference of above the ball of your ankle with your foot resting flat on the ground. If you are between sizes it is advisable to go for the larger size.
What is better, an ankle brace or tape? ›
Best Practice for Preventing Ankle Injuries
In one study published by The Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, the author followed 300 football players over a six-year period. Comparing the two preventative therapies, they found that wearing an ankle brace was twice as effective for preventing ankle injuries as taping.
How do I know if my shoes have good ankle support? ›
High-top shoes with collars that extend above the ankle provide increased support and stability. High-top shoes, hiking boots, work boots, and some athletic shoes are all good examples of shoes designed with higher ankle collars for more ankle support.
Are high tops or low tops better for ankle support? ›
Research does support the idea high-top shoes provide good stability when outside forces may cause an ankle sprain when the person is stationary (for example, when a person standing still is knocked from the side and starts to topple over, putting stress on the ankle).
