Ankle Braces & Supports for Ankle Injuries FAQ

Nonsurgical treatment options depend on whether your problem is an ankle sprain or ankle instability.

Ankle Sprain
The best results after an ankle sprain come when treatment is started right away. Treatments are used to stop the swelling, ease pain, and protect how much weight is placed on the injured ankle. A simple way to remember these treatments is by the letters in the word RICE. These stand for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

• Rest: The injured tissues in the ankle need time to heal. Crutches will prevent too much weight from being placed on the ankle.
• Ice: Applying ice or cold packs can help ease pain and may reduce swelling.
• Compression: Gentle compression pushes extra swelling away from the ankle. This is usually accomplished by using an elastic wrap or ankle support.
• Elevation: Supporting your ankle above the level of your heart helps control swelling.
  

As treatment progresses, it is helpful to gradually begin putting weight through the joint. Casts have fallen out of favor because soft tissues weaken when they are kept immobile. But braces that can be worn to support the ankle, but still allow weight bearing, are the most popular treatment for helping reduce strain on the healing tissues.

Healing of the ligaments usually takes about six weeks, but swelling may be present for several months. Your doctor may suggest that you work with a physical therapist to help you regain full range of ankle motion, improve balance, and maximize strength.

Ankle Instability
If the ankle ligaments do not heal adequately, you may end up with ankle instability. This can cause the ankle to give way and feel untrustworthy on uneven terrain. If your ankle ligaments do not heal adequately following an ankle sprain, your doctor may suggest several things.

Changes in your footwear may be prescribed to help keep your ankle from turning in. Placing a heel wedge under the outer half of your heel blocks the ankle from rolling, as does a flared heel built into your shoe. In extreme cases, doctors may prescribe a plastic brace, called an orthosis, to firmly hold your ankle from rocking side to side. Some patients feel a sense of steadiness from wearing high-topped shoes. Patients with ankle instability should avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.

Physical therapy treatments will likely be initiated to help restore joint range of motion, strength, and joint stability. Many people who have ankle instability have weakness in the muscles along the outside of the leg and ankle. These are called the peroneal muscles. Strengthening these muscles may help control the ankle joint and improve joint stability.

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, and a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Strains can occur without a sprain, however, when you have a sprain you will almost always have a strain.

Sprains are categorized into three types of sprains – First Degree, Second Degree and Third degree.

First Degree Sprain - This occurs when the ankle is taken past its normal range of motion and the ligaments that hold the joints together have been overstretched but not torn. Symptoms include little to no swelling, which is usually localized directly over the sprained joint. Mild pain and limited range of motion also occurs. Weight bearing and walking are still possible. Usually you can engage in normal activities within 1-2 weeks.

• Mild pain
• Little or no swelling
• Little or no joint instability
• Slight stretching or tearing to the lateral ankle ligaments
• Some joint stiffness or difficulty walking or running
  

Second Degree Sprain - This is the most common type of sprain and includes mild partial ligament tears with swelling and stiffness in the joint. This sprain will inhibit weight bearing or use of the joint. Symptoms can include intense swelling, moderate pain and moderate loss of motion or use of the joint. Walking can be difficult. Normal activities can return within 2 to 4 weeks of the injury.

Symptoms of Second Degree Sprain

• Some tearing of the ligaments
• Moderate instability of the joint
• Swelling and stiffness in the ankle joint
• Moderate to severe pain and difficulty walking

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Third Degree Sprain - This injury is much less common and usually requires medical attention. This sprain is usually total rupture of a ligament. The symptoms are intense swelling, extreme loss of motion and intense. The healing time is usually 12 weeks to 1 year and can become a chronic condition depending on the way the ligament is repaired or the way it heals.

Symptoms of Third Degree Sprain

• Complete tear or rupture of a ligament
• Severe pain initially followed by no pain
• Instability of the joint
• Severe swelling
  

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There are many participants of a variety of sports that wear ankle braces either to prevent a first time injury or to prevent a re-occurring injury. There are also many people who wear ankle braces for typical daily activities. Below is a list of many sports and activities where ankle braces are being worn:

• Basketball
• Equestrian & Rodeo
• Football
• Golf
• Motocross
• Running & Walking
• Skiing & Snowboarding
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Water Sports

If you are using your ankle brace as a preventative device, then you will want to wear your brace while performing any activity that exposes your ankle to any lateral movements such as tennis, basketball, volleyball, etc…

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.