Sports Ankle Supports

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries seen in sport, especially ball sports such as football and rugby.

Injury to an ankle usually involves the ligaments, which hold the bones of the foot together and the most commonly injured is the ATF (Anterior Talofibular Ligament), when the foot is turned under the weight of the body.

Following ankle sprain, it is likely that a weakness of these ligaments will remain.  This is why correct rehabilitation and stability straining is vitally important.

Regardless of the intensity of the rehabilitation and treatment, for some, the ankle will be prone to repeat sprain and providing support for the ligaments may be necessary if the person is to continue his or her sport.

Sports shoes do not offer much room to accommodate an ankle support, so braces need to be as compact as possible whilst offering the support required.

Some of the most popular sports ankle braces on the market include:

Mueller Soccer Ankle Brace – Designed for speed and flexibility. High front cut leaves front of foot open for more foot movement and better ball control.  Lightweight ankle brace fits either foot. A great football ankle support.

Mueller HG80 adjustable ankle support – Features the Mueller-exclusive HydraCinn™ fabric, Adjust-to-Fit side panels, anti-microbial, back-entry easy-on design, fully adjustable comfortable fit, fits left or right.

Mueller Pro Style AFT – The state-of-the-art ATF Ankle Braces feature the patented inner ATF strap to support the most commonly sprained ligament to virtually eliminates inversion sprains.  The High Performance ATF is a custom fitted (left or right) brace that conforms to the arch of the foot for precise fit and no bulk.  The PRO-LEVEL ATF w/Universal Fit has a redesigned inner ATF strap that self adjust to each individual foot for superior protection against inversion sprains.

McDavid Ankle Guard 196 Soccer – The 196 Soccer Laced Ankle Brace is specifically designed for soccer. It has a shortened forefoot which allows the contact crucial to good ball handling while providing ankle protection. Also featured are two layers of breathable polyester/vinyl mesh fabric with elastic inserts over the heel and tongue for comfort. Spring steel stays along the sides provide support. Ideal football ankle brace.

McDavid 199 lightweight – The 199 Lightweight Ankle Brace is one of the most popular laced ankle braces. It’s the favorite of athletes, trainers and coaches to replace tape and help prevent common injuries. Reduced-weight for better mobility and the poly/vinyl mesh fabric breathes for cooler comfort.
Features 2 layers of nylon/vinyl mesh fabric, spring steel stays, padded HydraVent hDc™ Moisture Management Technology lining, a ventilated tongue, and sewn-in arch support. Extremely durable and comfortable. Fits left or right ankle and most shoe styles.

Aircast AirSport Ankle Brace incorporates clinically proven Air-Stirrup® Ankle Brace features, such as a semi-rigid shell and aircells, to provide comfort and support. Additional compression and stabilization is provided by ATF (anterior talofibular) cross strap and integral forefoot and shin wraps. The unique “step-in” design (toes first inserted into the back of the brace) and automatic heel adjustment make the AirSport extremely fast and easy to put on, just: Step In, Strap Up, And Go!

Hand & wrist braces

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the hand and wrist.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

The items listed below are a selection of the most popular brands.  Just click on any of the links to take you to the full range.

Shoulder braces & supports

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the shoulder.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

The items listed below are a selection of the most popular brands.  Just click on any of the links to take you to the full range.

Knee Braces & Supports

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the knee.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

The items listed below are a selection of the most popular brands.  Just click on any of the links to take you to the full range.

Head and neck braces

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the head and neck.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

The items listed below are a selection of the most popular brands.  Just click on any of the links to take you to the full range.

Hamstring & Thigh Supports

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder and back.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

The items listed below are a selection of the most popular brands.  Just click on any of the links to take you to the full range.

Calf & Shin Supports

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder and back.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

The items listed below are a selection of the most popular brands.  Just click on any of the links to take you to the full range.

Arm & Elbow braces

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder and back.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

The ten items below are a selection, just click on any of the links below to take you to the full range of arm and elbow braces.

Ankle Braces & Supports

A comprehensive range of braces and supports making them the perfect choice for injury rehabilitation and prevention, providing support for the knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder and back.

Manufacturers such as Vulkan, Aircast and Mueller provide specialist sports braces for every requirement.

Knee Braces for Skiing & Snowboarding

As winter approaches, many people with knee problems request our advice on the best type of brace to support the knee whilst skiing.  The answer depends on the type and severity of the problem.

Three of the most common problems affecting the knee;

Knee pain when skiing.

This can be a complex issue but in short, if you are only experiencing knee pain when skiing, then it is most likely that the knees are just not used to this type of activity.  Skiing is not like riding a bike, you cannot just stop and start when you wish and expect your body to adapt quickly.  Strength is required, not just from the knee joint itself but from the Quadriceps (muscles in the front of the thigh) and the Hamstrings (muscles at the back of the thigh).

It is very important that you embark on a programme of fitness training leading up to your skiing, specifically designed to target these areas.  Your local fitness instructor or sports injury specialist will be able to design a programme for you.

If you suffer from painful knee joints at other times, such as walking, going up and down stairs and/or pain at rest, you must consult a medical professional before attempting sports such as skiing.

Do not rely on a knee brace or support to reduce knee pain.

An injured ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)

Commonly found in football and rugby injuries as well as previous skiing accidents, a damaged or previously ruptured ACL means that one of the ligaments situated in the middle of the knee joint, attaching your lower leg to your upper leg has been compromised in some way.  This may be a minor strain or a major rupture which has required surgery.

Damage to the ACL can often result in instability, this means that when the knee joint is under pressure, such as walking downhill, down stairs or skiing, it may give way and some people experience this “giving way” even during normal activity.

A medical professional trained in sports injuries can assess the joint to see if there is any instability and will advise you on the level of activity you can safely undertake.  For mild strains, strengthening and stability exercises should suffice, but more serious ruptures may mean that you will not be able to ski or snowboard.

In moderate cases, a practitioner will allow you to ski but recommend the use of an appropriate brace. The type of support needed for this purpose is complex and must be specifically designed to limit the movement between the upper and lower leg when the knee is slightly bent. They will be labelled ACL & PCL. A normal neoprene knee support will not suffice.

Damage to the Medial and Lateral Ligaments of the knee.

Again, often football, rugby, squash or skiing related injuries, but this time the ligaments attaching the upper and lower leg bones together on the inside (medial) and outside (lateral) of the knee have been damaged.

As with any ligament injury, the damage can result in instability but this time when the knee is stressed from side to side (exactly as it is in skiing).

If your therapist has advised that you ski using a brace, then you need one that offers medial and lateral support and will be labelled MCL and LCL.

These braces have metal stays or springs on the inside and outside of the knee to support any sideways movement.

Never rely on a brace to compensate for serious joint laxity, if you experience “giving way” of the knee joint during normal activity or mild sporting activity you should never attempt to ski or snowboard.  It may be possible that surgery is required to stabilise the knee.

If you are in any doubt about a knee injury and your fitness to ski, please seek medical opinion.  This article is not intended to be used for diagnosis of an injury.

Sports Injury Specialist

Next Page »