Exploring the Advantages and Types of Ankle Braces and Supports

Lisa Williams

Ankle injuries are some of the most common types of injuries, especially for athletes and individuals who lead an active lifestyle. Whether you’re a professional athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone who spends a lot of time on their feet, ankle support can be an essential tool in maintaining your health and preventing injuries. Let’s explore the benefits of ankle support and the different types available to help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of Ankle Braces and Supports

1. Injury Prevention: Ankle support can help prevent injuries by providing stability and reducing the risk of ankle sprains and strains. Ankle braces and supports keep the ankle in a stable position, which is crucial during activities that involve a lot of movement and sudden changes in direction.
2. Post-Injury Recovery: If you’ve already suffered an ankle injury, wearing an ankle brace or ankle support can be a critical part of your recovery process. It helps reduce swelling, provides compression, and limits the range of motion, allowing your ankle to heal properly.
3. Pain Relief: An ankle brace or ankle support can help alleviate pain associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis or tendonitis. By providing support and reducing the strain on the affected area, they can help manage pain and improve mobility.
4. Improved Performance: For athletes, ankle braces or ankle supports can enhance performance by providing extra stability to the ankle and enhancing confidence. Knowing that your ankles are protected can allow you to focus more on your game and less on the risk of injury!
5. Increased Confidence: Additional ankle support can give you the confidence to return to activities you might have avoided due to fear of re-injury. This psychological benefit is significant, as it encourages a more active and healthier lifestyle.

Different Levels of Ankle Support

1. Minor Support: You may attribute a minor ankle sprain to a sports injury, or maybe you hurt it walking down the street. No matter the cause, light ankle supports such as the Swede-O® Elastic Ankle Sleeve are for minor injuries and general ankle pain. These types of products provide light support and can also provide a little extra security.
2. Mild Support: Made from elastic materials, these types of supports provide mild support and are excellent for reducing swelling and improving blood flow. They are less restrictive than braces and can be worn comfortably throughout the day, making them suitable for mild sprains and chronic conditions. The Swede-O^® Elastic Ankle Wrap and Nel-Med Elastic Ankle Support provide adjustable compression to help reduce the risk of injuries.
3. Moderate Support: These type of braces and supports can be used for minor or mild injuries, but they provide greater stability and can be used for moderate injuries as well. Whether you want to help prevent an injury or rehab an existing injury, the following ankle braces may be right for you; ideal for sports activities - including football, basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, and more:
1. Swede-O® PowerWrap® Ankle Brace comes recommended by trainers and healthcare professionals. This brace is ideal for weak or injured ankles and athletes to tape their ankles for sports. It’s made to withstand vigorous exercise and fits in most athletic shoes.
2. Swede-O® Trim Lok® Ankle Brace is 25% lighter than other standard braces and constructed with a webbed nylon exterior and breathable mesh fabric interior, this lightweight brace keeps your foot and ankle cool, dry, and comfortable throughout the day.
3. Swede-O® Strap Lok® Ankle Brace simulates professional taping with external figure eight straps which allow you to easily control and customize the amount of support as well as simulate professional taping. This brace stays tight and secure using exclusive offset lacing system , the full top strap covers the laces and helps lock the ankle in a protected position.
4. Swede-O® Inner Lok 8® focuses on proper strap placement and can be used across a variety of sports. The internal figure eight strapping system allows you to easily control and customize the amount of support as well as simulate professional taping. The quick release strap allows you to easily remove the brace with ease.
4. Maximum Support: These types of braces and supports offer the greatest stability and are often used for severe injuries, recurrent ankle injuries, or post-surgery. While these braces and supports can be used across a range of issues, they help limit ankle movement while providing robust stabilization. These supports are intended for fresh injuries or a previous injury that needs strong support when participating in high intensity activities like football, soccer, or lacrosse.
1. Swede-O® Easy Lok™: offers support for weak and injured ankles, moderate sprains, post-surgery and post-cast recovery, and ankle instability. The two-strap closure mechanism is perfect for people with arthritic hands or anyone who would struggle to tie up laces.
2. Swede-O® Tarsal Lok®: provides speed lacing for quick lace up prior to activity. It uses body heat to contour the stabilizer to the shape of your ankle and foot, providing a custom fit. Suitable for a variety of sports and can fit easily into tight fitting shoes such as soccer cleats or hiking boots.
3. Swede-O® Ankle Lok®: the original, heavy-duty brace fits comfortably in most athletic shoes and is intended to support injuries from moderate to the most severe sprains. It can also be used to help recover from a cast or surgery.

Acute Injuries

Applying light compression and cold therapy to an acute ankle injury helps reduce swelling and inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote faster healing by constricting blood vessels and supporting the injured area. The Swede-O Air Lite Ankle Splint offers excellent medial and lateral ankle stabilization with compression to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Additionally, the Swede-O Versi-Splint™ provides the same great support, featuring gel in the lower bladder for effective cold therapy.

Conclusion

Ankle supports are invaluable tools for preventing injuries, aiding in recovery, and enhancing performance. By understanding the different types of ankle supports and their benefits, you can make an informed decision to protect your ankles and maintain an active lifestyle. Whether you’re dealing with a current injury, looking to prevent future ones, or aiming to boost your athletic performance, there’s an ankle support out there to meet your needs. If you still want some help finding the right ankle support for you, contact us today.