Which ankle support is best for me? - Ultimate Performance Medical (2024)

FAQs

What ankle support should I get? ›

So in the early stages and immediately following a sprained ankle an elastic type ankle support is best. Compression helps reduce selling and provides a low level of support. Later as you begin to walk about and run on your injured ankle then an ankle brace with more lateral (sideways) support is better.

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.

A rigid ankle brace is recommended for torn or ruptured ankle ligaments. In contrast to flexible ankle braces, which offer more freedom of movement, a rigid ankle brace is stiffer and provides a higher level of support and stability to the ankle joints.

According to most research and our own clinical experience, semi-rigid braces work better for ankle sprains. This is due to the extra support they provide your ankle ligaments and joints. Unfortunately, soft supports do not offer enough support to keep your ligaments safe from further injury while you heal.

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.

In such cases, wearing an ankle brace before playing any sports or doing any exercise is the best idea. This can continue long-term, although it should be removed while sleeping.

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.

Motion Control: Shoes that offer motion control or extra stability features, like Brooks' Adrenaline GTS 22, help to decrease the amount of excessive movement through the foot and ankle—making them a good choice for those with weak ankles.

In summary, treatment for a torn ankle ligament usually involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation in the first 48 hours following the injury. Physical therapy and strengthening exercises can also help improve range of motion and rebuild the damaged ligament.

What do doctors do for torn ligaments in ankle? ›

If you have severe ligament damage caused by an ankle sprain, overuse or injury, your doctor will likely recommend ankle ligament reconstruction surgery. Penn orthopaedic surgeons perform the latest minimally invasive techniques to repair loose and torn ligaments due to injury or overuse.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Nearly all isolated low ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. Even a complete ligament tear (Grade 3) will heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized and rehabilitated appropriately.

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.

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.

Proper Fit: Ankle braces are typically sized based on your shoe size or ankle circumference, so be sure to consult the sizing chart to get your best fit and 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.

They really benefit athletes by helping them train while injured and help get them back out on the field sooner. It is recommended that you only wear ankle compression sleeves during an injury recovery period, rather than wear them regularly to prevent injuries.

Wearing an ankle brace can cause reliance

Wearing an ankle brace for too long can cause a reliance on it instead of the natural strength of the ankle. 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.