Ankle braces began to appear increasingly on sports circuits and playgrounds mostly in the early nineties due to better layouts and becoming less costly than getting the athlete's ankle wrapped.Ankle brace for sports is widely used nowadays and comes in a variety of styles, including sports-specific models, with the aim of supplying extra support after an incident or preventing an ankle problem from taking place in the beginning stage.

In this post, we will show you how ankle braces can help with common foot injuries, their usage, and the best 5 ankle braces you should buy in 2022. So, let’s dive in.

What is an ankle brace?

Structural supports for your ankle are created by ankle tissues, muscles and tendon groups, and the skeletons of your ankles. Inner supports are critical connectors from the foot to the hip for optimal function.

Ankle braces act as external assistance to prevent certain movements from happening, along with plantar ankle dorsiflexion (action just at the ankle tendon that marks the foot straight down ahead from the limb and converts the foot backward), and they also help you to be conscious of where the ankle humeral is in relation to other parts of your body.

All ankle supports & braces safeguard the health of the ankle, however, they accomplish this in various manners. Ankle supports often serve to avoid injuries, whereas ankle braces are usually intended to cure them. There may be some crossover, with certain ankle braces having a wider range of applications. Due to this discrepancy, it is advised that you always speak with a physician before choosing any ankle brace and even if you think you may have injured your ankle.

Benefits of using ankle support for sports

• Decreased Injury Risk

Healthcare professionals advise athletes who have already sustained such ankle injuries must use an ankle supporting band as well as anankle brace for sport to lessen the chance of further harm. Ankle caps have been shown to safeguard the medial as well as lateral ankle components, hence it is advised that you take this preventive action. They act as exterior support to limit inversion and provide aided perception of the location of such ankle joints.

• Recovery After Injury.

The best treatment for an ankle problem is prompt, high-quality medical attention. Girding the ankle seems to be one post-injury therapy technique that is typically frequently advised. By allowing weight control on the afflicted regions, the ankle brace assists to strengthen the ankle, therefore, avoiding muscular weakening. The braces aid with weight balancing and increase ankle strength.

• Pain Control.

Finding the ideal placement for the ankle might aid in typical post-practice pain management. Pain can occur as a result of rigorous practice or unanticipated interactions; it is not merely a side effect of damage. By providing the necessary relaxation to the joints, muscles, and tendons for continuous performance superiority, an ankle brace can assist you in dealing with discomfort. Swelling and soreness can be greatly reduced and relieved by maintaining your feet lifted and within braces.

4 Common Foot Injuries Related To Sports and Treatments

Athletic injuries involving the foot as well as the ankle account for 25% of all injuries, citing a study from the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. Sportsmen and women who must leap and speed are often in more danger. Sprinting, hoops, soccer, rugby, and dance are among the sports that impose a lot of performance requirements on the legs and are frequently linked to increased foot as well as ankle problems.

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis, which impacts the Achilles muscle, the body's biggest tendon, is a frequent foot as well as ankle problem that we encounter and cure. Achilles tendinitis usually develops as a result of misuse (often connected to sports) and degradation or going down with aging and time, as is the case with several musculoskeletal ailments.

Stress fractures

Due to the constant stress exerted on the feet as well as ankles, sportsmen who engage in activities like running, basketball, golf, gymnastics, and ballet are often in an elevated danger of foot as well as ankle strain fractures. Stress fractures can also be caused by improper technique, inadequate equipment, or absence of training, which alters the foot as well as the ankle's natural kinematics. A stress breakage is a minor split in the skeleton as opposed to a rupture, which refers to a fractured bone.

Sprained ankle

A dislocated ankle might be mild, giving little to no discomfort, or severe, making standing or walking agonizing or impossible. All ankle strains entail the foot being twisted, harming the tendons of the ankles. The most frequent form of ankle sprain, inversion ankle sprains are brought on by bending the foot inward, which stretches the outer ligaments and damages them. Twisting the foot outward results in eversion sprains, which typically injure the inside ankle ligaments more severely.

Heel spur

A calcium buildup on the heel bone causes a bony protrusion known as a heel spur. when the plantar fascia, which runs from the heel to the forefoot along the sole of the foot, extends away from the heel. The risk of developing this ailment may be higher in athletes with either very flat feet or high arches. Running on hard surfaces, wearing the wrong shoes, being overweight or old, having a stride that stresses the heel, and even diabetes are additional risk factors. Rearfoot discomfort from heel spurs can be excruciating, especially when standing or walking.

How to Use ankle support for sport?

After having ankle damage, this is crucial to incorporate rehabilitation as a component of your recovery strategy. Athletes who still experience ankle discomfort or who haven't recovered fully frequently did so because they didn't give their injuries adequate time to recover correctly. Just after ankle damage, your practitioner may suggest rehabilitation solutions.

Best 5 Ankle Braces for Athletes

Tynor Ankle Brace (Laced up)

This ankle Brace is primarily created for people who require stabilization of their ankle. Sprains, contractures, and dislocations might all be treated with it. The management of Achilles ligament injuries is also supported by this. It covers the injured joint from unrestricted rotation and improper movement while stabilizing the joint.

McDavid 195

If stability is your primary and only priority, this McDavid 195 seems to be a terrific ankle brace that provides you with sufficient coverage in almost all of the appropriate spots. It’s breathable owing to the smooth material and vented tongue, and also comes with lots of reinforced cushioning for comfort.

The only real drawback to this brace is that, because of its added protection, it may be a little bulkier than some people would prefer.

ACE ankle support

Budget-conscious people can choose the ACE compressive ankle support. This is made of a combination of elastic with neoprene that breathes well and is intended to give compression and support for ankles that are damaged or weak. Additionally, it's simple to wear on and pull off, allowing it a fantastic choice for individuals looking for ease.

Despite being less priced than several of our many other selections, it's vital to keep in mind that this foot support is rarely adjustable. Moreover, it could not offer as much assistance as the more expensive choices. It remains a wonderful option, though, if you're seeking affordable mild ankle support.

Tynor Ankle Support (Neoprene)

Neoprene ankle supports are made to strengthen, compress, and carefully immobilize an ankle that has been damaged or is unstable. To avoid an ankle problem, the anchoring splint provides assistance where it's really required. It might be utilized by people who engage in high-impact sports or by those who often sustain ankle injuries. Additionally, it aids in reducing edema, sprains, as well as ankle rollovers.

• Elegant anatomical style.
• Splinting and immobility are under control.
• Extremely comfy.
• Simple to put on.

Active ankle prolacer brace

This Active Foot Prolacer Brace seems to be a fantastic solution for people who are active and require ankle braces to wear while exercising. For strength and flexibility, a combination of nylon with neoprene is used to make this support. We appreciate how the non-slip construction helps keep it from sliding or slipping when we are using it.

The brace is offered in five variations and can accommodate different shoe sizes. Although it is sturdy and comfortable, some users might find the lace-up style to be cumbersome and difficult to wear. It's vital to remember that the brace cannot be washed in a washer; instead, hand cleaning is advised.

Final Thoughts

After reading this blog, you may now know the common ankle injuries during sports and how using an ankle brace for sports might be useful for you. Our top pick from the best 5 ankle braces for sports is the Neoprene ankle brace as this is comfortable, adjustable, and can be cleaned easily. You can also check our full list of ankle braces.

 

FAQ

Question 1: Should I use an ankle brace for basketball playing?

Yes, you should use an ankle brace while you play basketball. 42% of basketball players injured their ankles every basketball season due to not using an ankle brace while playing. As the ankle is the most prone to be injured while playing, it is recommended to use an ankle brace while playing basketball.

 

Question 2: Is using an ankle brace for netball really helpful?

Yes, you should wear an ankle brace while playing netball. A study showed it can reduce the chance of ankle sprain by 69% while playing netball.

 

Question 3: Can I wear the ankle brace for sport all day?

It completely depends on your use case. If you are using the ankle brace for preventive measure, you should not wear it all day long. But, if you are using it for acute or chronic pain management, you should wear it all day long.

 

Question 4: How to choose a perfect ankle brace for sport?

It depends on your use case. If you want to use the ankle brace for prevention or support while playing, the ankle binder products or ankle supports will be helpful. But, if you are wishing to cure your acute sports injury, then check our product list.