Definition: Ankle braces support the ankle to control motion and swelling, usually due to an ankle sprain. They address issues that are usually expected to resolve, or for protection against sprains in athletic activity. They are not constructed to adequately address gait issues on a long term basis. Those conditions are best handled using an ankle foot orthoses (AFO).
Ankle braces are available in several styles:
Soft brace: Soft braces are good for general support and minor ankle injuries. They come in tight elastic form that slip over the ankle or in a wrap-around or figure 8 Velcro style. The softer braces do not have stays in them.
Lace up brace: Lace-up braces provide more support than a soft brace and are found most often in athletic use because it is hard to bend an injured ankle to get into them. They come with plastic stays for added support and the lacing provides for custom adjustment.
Air brace: Air braces are best for acute and more serious ankle injuries. They are smaller and thinner versions of the Cam Walker. Instead of plastic stays, there are air bladders to pump up or down to adjust the pressure. If one requires an air brace, they probably also require a physician assess and treat the condition.
Benefits: Ankle braces are available in these different styles to accommodate for the effects of injury or motion control. Most are thin enough to fit in most shoes without having to adjust the height of the unaffected foot and shoe as is necessary with a Cam Walker, or adjust the length and width of shoe as is necessary with an AFO.
Text: Copyright 2008-2011 Carole Romig Image: Top - AliMed 2008 catalog, Middle - Swede-O Ankle Brace packaging, Bottom – Leedergroup.com