Ankle braces began to appear more often on sports courts and playing fields in the early 1990s due to improved designs and being less expensive than having an athlete’s ankle taped. Ankle braces are now available in a variety of forms, including sport-specific models, to provide additional support following an injury or prevent an ankle sprain from happening in the first place.

The use of ankle braces to prevent ankle injuries is becoming more prevalent, and coaches, parents, and players frequently ask me if wearing an ankle brace is useful. There is no evidence that ankle braces lessen the severity of ankle, knee, or other lower limb injuries.

After an ankle injury, it is critical to include rehabilitation as part of your recovery strategy. When an athlete still has ankle discomfort or isn’t back to full function, it’s usually because he or she hasn’t given himself or herself enough time to recover. Following an ankle injury, your doctor may advise you to seek rehabilitation treatments.

Balance, range of motion, strength, and endurance are all crucial therapeutic and training components for recovery that rehabilitation specialists concentrate on. Exercising as advised helps guarantee a safe return to activities and reduces the risk of re-injury.

Procedure For Bracing

  • Ankle Braces are commonly divided into two categories, with minor differences between manufacturers. A medical practitioner would recommend the best brace.
  • Nonrigid ankle braces are similar to a thick canvas or nylon lace-up sock.
  • Neoprene is also used in certain nonrigid braces. The nonrigid design compresses the ankle, which may aid in injury prevention and gives stability.
  • The semirigid ankle brace is the other variety. Its structure is similar to that of the nonrigid kind, but it includes moulded plastic struts or air cushions.
  • These braces give better stability and are frequently used during ankle injury rehabilitation.
  • Fabric straps are commonly used to approximate heel locking in nonrigid and semirigid braces.
  • They are normally attached to the exterior of the brace with Velcro.

A common issue is that extended ankle taping or bracing may result in weak ankles that are more prone to injury, thus it is critical to follow the usage guidelines provided by a healthcare practitioner.

Benefits of Bracing in Sports

  • Simple to get, with a range of brace alternatives commonly available at local retailers
  • Reduce tension on wounded tissues to alleviate discomfort.
  • Restrict joint mobility to allow for healing.
  • It is quite simple to put on and take off.
  • May give additional stability for a return to sport, which places greater physical demands on the body.

Cons of Sport Bracing

  • Braces do not take the place of a rehabilitation programme.
  • Unappealing in terms of appearance
  • Braces do not substitute for muscle strength.
  • Using a brace for an extended time might lead to an over-reliance on external support.
  • Similarly, aberrant muscle activation patterns, possible muscle atrophy, and impaired proprioception might occur.
  • A brace can reduce the strain on the damaged region while increasing the weight elsewhere as a result of compensations.