Ankle brace

[trd2343]

I've never used one before, but my last injury changed my mind. I suffered a hairline fracture on my ankle from a sprain while playing basketball.

This is something I'm planning to use for long term, so is there any recommendations or what I should look for when I'm looking for an ankle brace? The sport I play the most is basketball.

I am willing to pay a premium for it if it provides adequate protection for my ankle.

I saw ones at Safeway for around $16, but I don't know if those ones are good.

[m3thods]

Tough one. The only real sturdy ankle brace I've used were the Active Ankle one for volleyball. They definitely will protect the ankle from rolls or sprains, but at the cost of flexibility. And they're pretty expensive too. But tbh I never had a problem sprinting or moving around on the court, but I'd assume basketball would be a bit more demanding on your ankles.

If you know someone who can tape an ankle (properly), that's probably better since it's cheap, provides excellent stability, yet provides more flexibility than a plastic brace.

[G-spec]

I feel ya bro, I've fractured both my ankles and severely sprained them a few times.... I've been wearing ankle braces for a few years now and buying them at the Medical Supply store right on Canada Way and Willingdon, they have a huge variety of braces ranging from light braces to the really hardcore ones. It's the best local place to get them and to get there you go down Willingdon towards Hastings and when you hit Canada Way you'll see a Chevron on your left and a Shell on your right. Turn left towards the Chevron and make a left and the very first place you can turn into is the Medical Shop.

taping ankles is very hard to do properly and very time consuming, I play basketball 4 times a week and taping my ankles each time would be a huge hassle, right now I'm actually rocking the Adidas Speedwrap braces that are worn by NBA athletes, they are by far the best ankle braces I've ever had, they're light and mobile, while providing the necessary stability for fast lateral movement. They in the pic here, they cost $100 for two I got mine from the Adidas Online store.. 3 colors to choose from I would recommend these to you, because you'll end up paying around the same amount from the Medical Shop for decent braces, they cost you more than $40

[trd2343]

^Thanks for the recommendation.

What happened to your ankle after you fracture them? I sprained mine around Thanksgiving, and went to see the doctor when the swelling didn't go down. Doctor sent me to get an x-ray and confirmed I have a hairline fracture. He said he's going to book me in with a foot specialist, but it's going to take 5-6 MONTHS to see one, so I should stay away from all sport except swimming.

What process did you go through for your ankles to heal?

[G-spec]

Yea after the fracture i had a cast on for 3 weeks, then after I took it off i went to physiotherapy for over a month, and after physio you hit the pool every day or as often as you can for 2 or more weeks, the pain should almost dissapear by then, you will be able to run but the shockwaves from running going up your heel will start causing you pain again. i personally wear these $50 specialt foot soles which help with that... From there on in just slowly work your way up to 100% until theress no pain...
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[trd2343]

^Last question, what's your shoe size and what size did you order for the speedwrap? My shoe size is 8.5-9 so I'm thinking I should go with a M?

Your sprain must be really really severe? Aside from the first few weeks after the sprain, there was no pain at all, even when I played basketball or other activity.

[n1smo]

get an aso ankle brace at sports med there like 70 dollars but there very reliable

[RRxtar]

I had a pretty bad sprain a year and a half ago. took almost a year before it felt stable enough to not think twice about doing certain things.


I play a few sports but the one that causes the most problems with it is indoor soccer, since its on my kicking foot. I tape it every game, which I dont mind because I can tape it specifically for what I need it taped it for. It took a ton of reading on ankle taping and several tries to get what I wanted from it, but I can tape it exactly how I want it in less than 5 minutes start to finish. I can have it nearly solid in certain directions, and completely free in others and not lose any mobility. And the added benefit is when shooting my foot is as stable as a rock and I've got a rifle like never before

[G-spec]

The ASO braces are good, I have a pair I bought like 4 years ago I acutually just used them last week they're super durable and the best braces I've owned until the I got the Speedwraps.
And yes a Medium size would be perfect for your foot, I got the large size and I wear size 11 for basketball and 12 for walking shoes
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[MoBettah]

I'm not against using braces, but what about the school of thought that says that increased support actually causes more muscle imbalances and a greater future risk of injury?

Wouldn't it be better just to really concentrate on rehab and strengthening the muscles affected?

[trd2343]

The reason I'm getting a brace is to prevent further injury to my ankle. In reality, I shouldn't be participating in any sports at all except for swimming.

I don't know what else I could do to speed up the healing process, heck, I'm not even totally sure what's wrong with my foot.

There's no pain right now. I can walk, even play basketball without any pain or restriction in movement at all. It's just my left ankle bone feels a bit bigger than my right one.

Thanks for the inputs.

[DavidYeh]

ASO braces are bomb. Lots of the guys the teams I've been on wore them. One word of advice is dont strap on a brace and go play a game, right now its a sprain, the very next injury you get when your not fully healed is a ligament tear. Then you might need surgery and you'll never play bball the same way, or other sports for that matter. I sprained my knee and strapped on a brace, tore through my mcl/acl/miniscus the very next inury.

Good luck on healing, its a long boring process but the wait is worth it

[racerman88]

taping your ankle and or the lace up style brace is better.
Active ankle is not the best for basketball. It is better for vball

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by G-spec

Has anyone seen these, or the newer version, in a store in Vancouver?

[cho]

i have an aso one from when i used to play ultimate, 10/10 for me

got it from sport med on oak and 24th

if you're not sure on which one to get they have guys there to see what you need

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by cho

i have an aso one from when i used to play ultimate, 10/10 for me

got it from sport med on oak and 24th

if you're not sure on which one to get they have guys there to see what you need

I have a brace already, looking to try this one as many NBA players use it and I find my mobility is decreased too much in the ASO style brace.

[taylor192]

Received the Rose Speedwraps, and wow they are fantastic! Lots of movement in all the right directions, while still preventing rolling the outside of your ankle. Super comfortable too. Plus they fit fantastic in my shoes, my GF even commented that she thought they came with the shoe.

Just posting this for anyone that needs an ankle brace and stumbles onto this thread.

[subordinate]

Appreciate the update, I was looking for something similar as well.