Ankles are fragile joints, and injuries to them are common in people of all ages. From elementary school soccer players to the elderly with arthritis - Ankle pains hurt all! Ankle and foot supports can help you avoid damage, recover from an injury faster, and give you the mental confidence you need to get back on your feet.

The three benefits of ankle braces and foot supports are discussed below, as well as how to choose the best ankle support for you.

Benefits Of Foot Supports

1. Prevention of injury

While not as intricate as your hands, the ankle is still made up of seven tarsal bones. Because of this morphology, your ankles flex and move a lot, perhaps a little too much. The ankles must take the weight of practically your entire body, they are prone to sprains and other problems. Ankle support keeps everything in place and limits the possibility of rotating your joints.

2. Reduction in pain

Perhaps it's too late for injury prevention, and you've already sprained your ankle. Even so, ankle support can still help by lowering swelling and relieving pain. An ankle brace will also provide extra support to the joint as you heal, preventing you from worsening your symptoms or reinjuring them.

3. Mobility gets better

Many foot dislocations, such as arthritis, sprains, ankle pain, inflammation, plantar fasciitis, and tendonitis, can limit your mobility. Wearing an ankle brace can help you regain some of your mobility by relieving symptoms or preventing a flare-up. Ankle and foot braces can also provide you with mental assurance.

Buying Ankle Supports

Why Do You Need The Brace?

People acquire ankle support for many reasons, including foot pain and the prevention of athletic injuries. Consider why you need an ankle brace and let it guide your decision. If you need an ankle brace for activities, such as hard exercises and regular walking, you might consider purchasing one for each. In the above example, you could want a heavy-duty hinged brace for working out and a lesser ankle support sock for going around the house.

How Long Will You Bear The Brace?

Do you intend to wear ankle braces for an hour or two or the entire day? If you need to wear the brace for several hours without taking it off, choose a material that allows your skin to breathe and wicks away sweat. Examine the label to determine the type of the brace. Experiment with stretching the brace to observe how quickly it bounces back. You don't want a brace that stretches out during the day since it won't provide the necessary support.

Choose Your Type

Tape - During workouts and games, athletes typically use tape to brace their joints, especially their ankles. Tape can be tailored to the patient's ankle and will give light, flexible support. It is used when the joint is already quite strong and does not require much assistance. However, due to all of the sweat and movement, the tape will stretch and loosen quickly, reducing the support it provides. (Braces will stretch out with activity as well, but not as quickly as tape.) To guarantee that the joint is correctly stabilized, the tape should only be administered by an athletic trainer or other licensed expert.

Compression Brace - Compression sleeves are made of a stretchy neoprene or elastic sleeve that fits around the ankles. They also come in a wrap form that can be used to create an EZ fit ankle boot for any size foot. The fabric provides modest support as well as compression, which helps to minimize swelling after an ankle sprain. Compression braces also aid in keeping the ankle warm, reducing muscular stiffness and soreness. Compression braces are an excellent alternative if the ankle sprain is minor and the joint does not require extensive stability.

Semi-Rigid Brace - Many semi-rigid ankle supports are sleeve or lace-up in style, and they are sometimes paired with straps. These braces give more support than compression braces and are recommended for mild to moderate sprains. Some semi-rigid braces even provide the option of inserting plastic or metal into the brace's sidewalls for further protection. The straps also add support and allow you to modify the brace's tension without having to entirely replace it. Semi-rigid braces are intended to limit both side-to-side and up-and-down motion, thereby providing "complete ankle support."

Hinged Brace - Hinged braces are a type of semi-rigid ankle support that has side supports (typically made of plastic). These are hinged to the heel section. One or two Velcro straps secure the side supports around the ankle. For added support, the hinge structure can be paired with the lace-up design. Hinged braces are designed to limit side-to-side ankle motion while allowing for up-and-down movement.

Try And Adjust The Fit

Many ankle braces are based on shoe size, so measure your feet before purchasing. If you choose the correct size but still feel uncomfortable, modify the brace by tightening or loosening it, or by wearing a different sock or shoe with it. After you've adjusted everything, you should feel secure enough in the brace, but not so tight! It should not cut off your circulation!

If you're looking for ankle supports and foot braces but aren't sure which one to get, Sehaaonline customer service professionals are always happy to help. Shop Sehaaonline- Your Journey Towards Better Health!