What type of ankle brace do i need

I always liken this fiscal conundrum to a large hospital asking I mean telling six orthopedic surgeons to use the same total knee implant. It is not going to happen. Try telling 50 podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons in the Army system to use the same brace. It is not practical or feasible. The same principles apply to private practice.

We can classify all these on a graph running from most comfortable to most stable. Unfortunately, there is an inverse relationship between comfort and stability. It is critical for us as podiatrists to find the right balance for our athletes.

Luckily, there are multiple companies out there that have complete lines of braces covering each category. I do not endorse any specific company. There is a significant amount of biomechanical research out there that we can use to determine the type of brace required. Ultimately, you are still going to rely on your patients to find a brace that they like. Sleeves are clearly the least stable and often very comfortable.

Sleeves are products that are easily accessible at almost every drugstore and sporting goods store. Accordingly, do not waste your time carrying these items in your office. Often patients will utilize sleeves simply as compressive devices but caution patients on the sole use of this modality if they have gross instability. Also bear in mind that patients can make the sleeves too tight. Many of my patients will utilize the sleeve under an ankle brace or with their Army boots for comfort.

In general, these are excellent first-line treatment modalities that your patients can purchase on their own. Strap-style braces utilize cloth straps, which patients can wrap around the ankle, creating the classic heel-lock figure eights that we are all accustomed to using during a tape job. These straps will vary in thickness and flexibility. The material utilized will affect performance and comfort.

These braces are very popular among collegiate and professional athletes. They are frankly very cheap and again are excellent first-line braces. To make matters worse, some of these braces have so many straps that I can barely figure out how to put the brace on. If the brace is too complicated, adherence will likely become an issue. You will need to remind patients that over-tightening the straps can eventually lead to numbness or, worse, cut the patient. Tighter is not better.

Stirrup style braces were the first really popular ankle braces in the s. Companies have revised the design to allow for customization of the stirrup. Patients can adjust air bladders with a pump and put gel-filled bladders into the freezer or even heat them in a microwave.

One can adjust the stirrups by adding metal or plastic strips to increase rigidity for greater control. One can increase the height to accommodate for syndesmosis or tibia-fibula fracture support. Regardless, stirrup-style braces are really not in use for sports. They are really alternatives for splints and controlled ankle motion CAM walkers.

Many companies now have similarly designed devices. What makes the Aircast AirSport brace so great is its simplicity, having only two straps and an enclosed sleeve. I was involved in the product testing of this device with Special Forces while I was at Fort Bragg many years ago. At the same time, the 82nd Airborne Test Group was utilizing an AirSport stirrup style brace to prevent ankle fractures.

After two years of testing with the Aircast AirSport device, we saw a decrease in ankle fracture rates but unfortunately saw a fourfold increase in tibia-fibula fractures above the brace.

Some units such as the 82nd Airborne still to this day utilize a stirrup style brace but utilize a far less rigid stirrup for airborne operations, reducing the risk of injury above the brace.

Companies have taken the current stirrup design and added a hinge to increase the comfort and functional characteristics of the stirrup style brace. Lace-up style braces are the true original style ankle braces. They are often made of rigid materials and are very stable.

However, they are frequently very uncomfortable. Everything from speed laces to Velcro straps have helped the lace-up design. Companies have designed a hybrid style brace, which takes all the key characteristics of sleeve, straps, stirrup and lace-up braces. These hybrid braces are very comfortable and stable, and frankly look a lot more stylish than some of the older style braces.

In the Army, my patients have preferred to utilize these hybrid style braces far more often for work and play. I cannot say whether these braces are better but patients seem to like them and will wear them.

In Conclusion Overall, bracing is a very important modality for athletes. As podiatrists, we need to ensure these athletes are wearing proper shoe gear as well.

If there are high-top versions of a cleat or basketball shoe, you need to make sure the brace will fit inside that shoe. Often athletes will have to go up a shoe size to be able to accommodate an orthotic and ankle brace together.

For the military, it is always a challenge getting braces under Army boots. For an enhanced reading experience, check out Podiatry Today on your iPad or Android tablet.

Sign in. Podiatry Today. Today's Wound Clinic. Symposium on Advanced Wound Care. Editorial Information. Editorial Board. Author Guidelines. Current Issue. News and Trends. After experiencing an ankle injury, it is important to consider rehabilitation as part of your treatment plan.

Following an ankle injury, your provider may recommend rehabilitation services. Balance, range of motion, strength and endurance are important therapy and training factors that rehabilitation providers specialize in for recovery. Performing exercises as directed helps ensure a safe return to activity and lessens the likelihood for re-injury. Keep in mind wearing an ankle brace is not a percent cure-all or guarantee against injuries. Making an educated decision with your health care provider will help you determine if wearing an ankle brace is right for you.

Request an Appointment Patient Online Services. Plainview Red Wing Sherburn St. James St. Parkinsons Disease. Sleep Relaxation. View All Blogs. Categories: Lifestyle. Author: Ashley Bhalerao. Understanding the ankle anatomy The ankle is a hinge-type joint that is made up of two joints upper and lower tarsal joint which facilitates its normal movement.

Types of ankle joint motions Dorsiflexion This involves the back of the foot dorsum coming towards the anterior part of the leg. Plantar flexion This involves balancing the leg on the toes when the heel is raised.

Why is the ankle prone to injuries? While there are several types of ankle-related injuries, the most common ones are listed below: Ankle Sprain Avulsion fracture Stress fracture Arthritis Rheumatoid, Reactive, Psoriatic, Septic Tendon rupture Osteoarthritis Peroneal Tendon injury Talar Dome Lesion Gout Bursitis Tendonitis Instability Nerve compression Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Infection Damage to the structural alignment Each of these come with their own set of risks, so it is best to get your injury diagnosed at the earliest so you can take appropriate remedial measures.

How can ankle pain be treated? What are the best remedies? Ice, ice baby! OTC medicines Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are proven over-the-counter drugs that help kill the pain, but we still suggest seeing a doctor before you take any medicines. Cortisone injections Cortisone shots are essentially injected into your ankle joint to relieve you of the pain. Ankle support products You could also use easy-to-wear ankle support equipment and aids to overcome ankle pain.

How to choose the right ankle support equipment From sleeves and straps to splints and braces to stirrups and hybrids, there is an entire assortment of ankle support products that you can choose from in order to aid your ankle rehabilitation.

Sleeves Ankle sleeves are extremely comfortable, but there can be a fair debate over how effective they are when it comes to moderate-to-severe ankle injury management.

Straps Ankle straps or binders are basically meant to be wrapped around the ankle in an eight-shape like you would wrap a bandage. Lace-ups These braces have a classic design when it comes to functionality and support. Hybrids Put a sleeve, strap, stirrup and lace-up together and you have yourself a hybrid ankle brace. What should I look for in an ideal ankle support aid? If you are on the lookout for stable and comfortable ankle support or ankle rehabilitation aid online, here are some of the best ankle support aids available in India: 1.

Ankle Binder - Flamingo Designed to support, compress and partially immobilise the ankle, Flamingo Ankle binder helps in controlling pain, oedema or inflammation. Features: Ensures better sweat absorption Allows controlled compression and pain relief Made of four-way stretchable fabric Has elasticized wrap and compression sleeve 2. Features: Easily fits into athletic footwear Sleek stabilizer at either side to guard against sprains Supports the weakest point of the ankle Open heel design allows a wide range of motions 3.

Air-Stirrup Ankle Support For Left Leg - Aircast Designed to fit perfectly on the left ankle, this ankle support provides relief to injured and weak ankles. Features: Discreetly fits inside the shoe Uses duplex air cells technology for support Designed for acute ankle injury and ankle sprains Provides graduated compression during post-operative care 4. Airheel Ankle Brace - Aircast The Aircast AirHeel ankle brace made of lightweight and breathable fabric applies a pulsating compression to specifically treat achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.

Features: Provides comfort and relief to the plantar fasciitis Made of lightweight neoprene fabric Provides comfort and relief to the plantar fasciitis Comes with adjustable velcro strap for custom fit 5. Features: Skid-resistant rubber tread Integrated inflation system Easy to wear Features semi rigid anatomically designed shells that help support the limb 6.

Features: Discreetly fits inside the shoe Uses duplex air cells technology for support Designed for acute ankle injury and ankle sprains Provides graduated compression during post-operative care How to prevent further injuries or damage to the ankle? Warm up Before you begin your workout or any other strenuous activity that will put your ankles under pressure, stretching and warming up is a must. Use an ankle brace You can continue using an ankle brace as a preventive device when partaking in any physical activity that involves lateral movements.

Exercise regularly Performing muscle-strengthening exercises is a must so you can be sure of a strong support system around the ankle joint. Mind the surface It might seem like a redundant thing to say, but a lot of us do not pay attention to the kind of surfaces we walk on. Share this now :. We would love to hear back from you! Submit Comment. My Wish List. Last Added Items.

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