The most current evidence
reveals that the use of ankle bracing has decreased the incidence of initial
ankle injuries and re-injuries. Bracing protects the ankle by restraining
lateral motion and proprioceptive feedback. Studies have shown favorable
results for both bracing and taping. However, the disadvantage of taping is
that it will stretch during activity and lose some of its rigid support. The
properly fitted ankle brace will maintain its rigidity much longer and can be
re-adjusted during activity to ensure its effectiveness.
An external ankle support
helps to decrease the incidence of repeat (chronic) ankle sprains by aiding
balance and structural stability during activity. Additionally, an ankle brace
will improve muscle reaction time and provide an improved sense of what your
ankle is doing while in motion (proprioception), decreasing the risk of injury.
Compression Brace
Neoprene or elastic
compression braces are used in aiding the treatment of mild ankle sprains
and tendinitis. Elastic braces consist of a light weight stretchable material
and
provide the ankle joint
with compressive support. Compression enhances joint support and balance, while
still allowing the motion necessary for daily functions and sport activities.
The benefits of
compression braces include:
Maintains ankle joint warmth, decreasing muscle stiffness and
associated discomfort during activity
Provides compression which reduces swelling associated with
injury
Fitted easily by measuring ankle joint size or shoe size
Universal fit for either the right or the left ankle
Semi-Rigid
Ankle Brace
The lace-up ankle brace
is one of the most common types of semi-rigid ankle braces. These braces are
used for mild to moderate ankle sprains or for the prevention of repeat ankle
sprains that occur with activity. The lace-up braces are designed to limit the
ankle from rolling side to side as well as the up and down ankle motion,
theoretically providing “full ankle support”. These
braces are available in a variety of types, including those with and without
figure-8 strapping systems. Similar to the compression braces, the lace-up
brace will fit according to ankle joint size or shoe size. Brace fitting and
adjustment is provided by some type of lace-up / Velcro system. The braces may
have an option to insert semi-rigid supports for added lateral and medial
stability. The braces with external straps provide a figure-8 strapping system
that allows for rapid tightening without re-lacing the entire brace. The
benefit of the straps is increased ankle support. These braces are reusable,
but require more time to put on and take off than the semi-rigid hinged brace,
especially those with the figure-8 strapping system.
The benefits of lace-up
braces include:
Combines durability with a comfortable, lightweight feel
Provides more support than the compression brace and fits in
most shoes
Universal fit for either the right or the left ankle
The Hinged Ankle Brace
The hinged ankle brace is
another type of semi-rigid brace. These braces are designed to prevent rolling
the ankle from side to side without affecting the up and down motion of the
ankle. They will feature padded sides for increased comfort and either one or
two Velcro straps for quick adjustment and easy on and off application.
The benefits of hinged
ankle braces include:
Increased side to side support compared to the lace-up brace
Designed to fit in most shoes
Constructed to fit contour of the right or the left ankle
The
Rigid Ankle Brace
The rigid stirrup ankle
support is perhaps the most widely used brace in sports today due to the
effectiveness and versatility in treating ankle sprains, stress fractures, and
(chronic) repeat ankle sprains. It is made of a hard plastic shell that extends
up both sides of the ankle and is strapped into place with easily adjustable
Velcro straps.
The rigid brace provides
more side to side support than the semi-rigid braces, yet may be difficult to
fit in some shoes. After the ankle heals, a more functional lace-up ankle brace
is recommended to prevent further injury.
The benefits of rigid
braces include:
Increased side
to side support compared to the semi-rigid brace
Provides
compression which reduces swelling associated
In
summary the advantages of wearing an ankle brace are:
Support
Stability
Balance
Improved functional movement
Decreased pain
Featured Product:
Ankle Brace
ATF® 2 Ankle Brace
The patented ATF 2
Ankle Braces with straps
self-adjust to support your Anterior Talofibular Ligament and help
protect against
“rolling the ankle”
without restricting jumping, speed or agility. ATF 2 Straps also help in
the support of weakened or sprained ankles. A resent study showed that the wearing of the ATF 2 Ankle Brace had little effect on the times of 100 m sprint athletes. Mueller has designed these ankle braces and ankle supports with the athlete in mind, whilst protecting the ankle the agility of the player is not compromised.