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Ankle Brace to help prevent sprained ankles. (1 Viewer)

Mario Kart

Mario Kart

Footballguy
I am athletic however I have become highly hesitant to ever play basketball again.

My freshman year of high school I badly sprained my right ankle. No break but was a terrible sprain.

Didn't play again until college at the gym. During a game, I landed on the same right ankle and badly sprained it again. Talking black and blue with each sprain ballooning my foot.

I believe its my Achilles Tendon that pops periodically when I walk, it doesn't hurt but my left foot doesn't do it. From what I know, there is no permanent damage however my ankle rolls very easily. If I go golfing I have to be careful and actually watch where I walk because the slightest curving of my foot and I could go down in an instant. I have caught myself many times before completely rolling it in all kinds of places (golfing, at home, in public, etc.)

So, I am wondering what kind of ankle brace would be best to wear if I play a sport with pivoting and turning, basketball, and possibly to wear if/when I play golf in the future. Just looking at webpages doesn't really give a good story as to which one to buy/wear. Any thoughts about ankle braces would be appreciated. And, where to buy one for the best fit/customization from the employees at the store.

 
Would it be best to wear one on each foot so there is little/no overcompensation?

And, what store sells those or is the internet the way to go for those?

 
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A millions years ago, I used to hear how always wearing high tops would make your ankles weak. I was invincible and a teenager so of course I didn't care.

Every time there's a thread here on this, I wonder if that was garbage or maybe some truth to that.

When I first started working as an adult, wearing shoes, my ankles were almost sore and tired the first month or so.

I was a good hoops player in high school and jerks used to step on my feet and knee me in the thigh...anything they could get away with if we were clustered under the hoop waiting for a rebound. Stepping on foot doesn't hurt much, but when you jump with a dope on your foot, you hurt your ankle or achilles.

This is added to landing on someone's foot and rolling my ankle and fakes I made that were probably so sweet but I almost broke my own ankle instead of theirs. The result was a fake smile when people clapped and thinking wow that hurt. One year we tried a new wax on the gym floor and we all stuck to it or ice skated if sweat hit it..ramble

Braces are fabric with some metal through it. This didn't do anything for me then and now that I'm an old man they don't help either. A bunch of white tape is still the most solid. Braces made me think about this thing on my foot over and over and the tape I just forgot about. I think this was the most annoying part of braces-I do want to forget something is there and just play.

I'd suggest about making a cast with tape, next time you put less and time after even less, and eventually you figure out how much ya need. Leave it in the glove compartment and if something comes up you're not thinking oh geez I left my brace at home

 
Mario Kart said:
I am athletic however I have become highly hesitant to ever play basketball again.

My freshman year of high school I badly sprained my right ankle. No break but was a terrible sprain.

Didn't play again until college at the gym. During a game, I landed on the same right ankle and badly sprained it again. Talking black and blue with each sprain ballooning my foot.

I believe its my Achilles Tendon that pops periodically when I walk, it doesn't hurt but my left foot doesn't do it. From what I know, there is no permanent damage however my ankle rolls very easily. If I go golfing I have to be careful and actually watch where I walk because the slightest curving of my foot and I could go down in an instant. I have caught myself many times before completely rolling it in all kinds of places (golfing, at home, in public, etc.)

So, I am wondering what kind of ankle brace would be best to wear if I play a sport with pivoting and turning, basketball, and possibly to wear if/when I play golf in the future. Just looking at webpages doesn't really give a good story as to which one to buy/wear. Any thoughts about ankle braces would be appreciated. And, where to buy one for the best fit/customization from the employees at the store.
Click to expand...
I had the same issue as you, rolled my right ankle so badly, and multiple times, that I couldn't play basketball without it being inevitable it would happen again. To this day I still can roll it just hitting the edge of, for example, a blacktop driveway.I had gone to the hospital and was on crutches for 2-3 weeks the last time I had rolled it. After I was off the crutches the hospital had given me this soft cast thing I had to wear. It had 2 hard plastic shells that were air filled on the inside, each half fit over ankle bone and reached partway up my shin and was fastened with heavy duty Velcro. Loved that thing so much I continued to use it to play B-Ball after ankle was better. Never played without it again. Complete safety/support, light and comfortable, forgot I even had it on. Never rolled my ankle again. Little tight getting it inside hi top sneakers, and stretched the right sneaker a bit, but small trade off for the peace of mind.

I know that doesn't help you any (unless you end up at a hospital). I had tried commercial versions from various sporting good store and never found anything of much help, of course this 20-25 years ago.

Eta almost identical to this. http://www.betterbraces.com/aircast-air-stirrup-ankle-brace

 
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http://www.dme-direct.com/aso-evo-ankle-brace-stabilizer

Was reading about this one. This may be considered "one step up" from the previous one mentioned. Has plastic inserts to give further support. The article I read mentioned this one if you chronically roll your ankle. I'd think this one is more for me during basketball and the previous one could be better for golfing.

Seems like the internet is the only place to buy these things... at least around my part of the neighborhood. Unless there is a specialty basketball store I don't know about around here.

 
The plastic obviously is all upside if the primary concern is simply 100% ankle support with no other factors considered. I believe the original one was the winner last time because it's a good combination of supreme ankle support while also not being super bulky and hard to get your shoe over.

I bought one of the originals after the last thread and was surprised with how much support they provide without plastic. I have some generic ones from walgreens with plastic in them and I'd trust the ASO ones with out plastic over them with 100% confidence.

That said, if the bulk of the plastic inserts won't bother you there's no reason not to get them.

ETA: I actually got the "speed" version of the original ones that don't require you to lace them up every time and that helps me be better about actually using them.

 
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you can look into PT as well- to strengthen the joint.

I was a high-level soccer player (top 20 div 1 college, semi-pro after) and my ankles were constantly sprained- trainer would tape them for every practically every game. I remember a giant rubber band tied to a chair leg at home that I constantly worked when the ankles had recovered a bit.

years later, when I started doing longer triathlons, my weak ankles/ligaments started pulling the bones apart on my feet from all the training. had to race on literally broken feet... fun.

If you want to keep playing sports or keeping active- I would absolutely recommend being proactive in strengthening the ankle joints and very aware of protecting them with whatever brace (or tape) works best.

 
@El Floppo

A few years ago when I started running, have since stopped, but when I was, my ankle did stop popping. Could be for a couple of reasons... strength and/or loss of weight. Probably a bit of both but that stopped the popping.

However, the rolling or possibility of rolling did not stop. That part sucks.

 
Mario Kart said:
@El Floppo

A few years ago when I started running, have since stopped, but when I was, my ankle did stop popping. Could be for a couple of reasons... strength and/or loss of weight. Probably a bit of both but that stopped the popping.

However, the rolling or possibility of rolling did not stop. That part sucks.
Click to expand...
:shrug:

always a possibility of rolling the thing playing hoops or any kind of sport like that. I will say, the PT definitely helped me decrease the times it actually sprained. and yeah- less weight would help too (wasn't an issue in those days).

my ankles pop and crack still... makes me nervous what kind of shape they're going to be in in my geriatric years.

 
The ASO's listed in the first post above are the best. I have awful ankles from basketball, but those allow me to still play. A physical therapist that had a son playing at a local college recommended them. I've played twice a week at the local YMCA for the last 12 years, and I've never twisted my ankle wearing an ASO.

 
In high school I sprained my ankle 4 times in 3 years and badly each time. I went away to play in college, stopped wearing high tops and never sprained an ankle in 4 years. Played rec leagues for 15 of the last 20 years with one ankle sprain but it was a high sprain. I think it was just the blind luck of not coming down on another foot. Playing basketball, it's only a matter of time until it happens.

Last time i sprained one badly i was drunk walking down my basement stairs. Hurt as bad as I had remembered it in high school. I let out a string of f-bombs for 20 minutes while trying to walk it off.

 
bleachercreacher said:
The ASO's listed in the first post above are the best. I have awful ankles from basketball, but those allow me to still play. A physical therapist that had a son playing at a local college recommended them. I've played twice a week at the local YMCA for the last 12 years, and I've never twisted my ankle wearing an ASO.
Click to expand...
I'm sure the first one listed is great. I just happened to see the second one I mentioned before. Thoughts on the second one?

http://www.dme-direct.com/aso-ankle-brace

http://www.dme-direct.com/aso-evo-ankle-brace-stabilizer

ClownCausedChaos2 said:
Mario Kart said:
I believe its my Achilles Tendon that pops periodically when I walk
Click to expand...
PM MC Gas Money for walking tips.
Click to expand...
Inbox is full and the FBG chat room is down, again. He is not answering his FBG text either.

 
Alright, I'm close to buying. I just need to measure my foot to get the correct size. One final question though.

I think the normal ASO Ankle Brace is out of the question. I could get this one and be okay for golf, I think, but the EVO could be worn for that as well. If I play basketball with the normal ASO, I'd put it on my left foot.

About the EVO vs. w/Plastic Stays... which one to buy? That is the question. My ankle rolls easily so I am looking to prevent that as much as possible. The EVO protects against rolls however what would the Stays do in that regard? Would those also protect but a little bit more or is the plastic going to be a hindrance more than a help?

I'm thinking an EVO for my left foot and either an EVO for my right foot or w/Stays for my right foot. Just don't know which direction I should go for the right foot.

 
Braces weaken your ankles and set you up for a dandy sprain or break down the road. Another problem that weakens ankles is that that the world has been designed to be completely flat, which never allows the supporting structures of the ankles and knees to build their strength up. I suggest periodically walking on uneven surfaces, like breakwall rocks or something, or running trails, to build up your ankle strength. Uneven surfaces is the key to strong ankles.

 
Been an athletic trainer in sports medicine for 12 years. The EVo braces are good. I usually recommend mcDavid braces. I'd get the ones that lace up like a shoe and have figure 8 straps. The guy that mentioned PT to strengthen the joint is right. It won't tighten it up, but it will help you recover from your next sprain. If the ankle joint get too loose, you may develop bone spurs. Hope that helps

 
BasATC said:
Been an athletic trainer in sports medicine for 12 years. The EVo braces are good. I usually recommend mcDavid braces. I'd get the ones that lace up like a shoe and have figure 8 straps. The guy that mentioned PT to strengthen the joint is right. It won't tighten it up, but it will help you recover from your next sprain. If the ankle joint get too loose, you may develop bone spurs. Hope that helps
Click to expand...
What do the braces with Stays do? I've been Googling to no avail other than "provide more protection."

Which would be best for basketball... the Stays or the EVO Stabilizer?

Would the normal ASO Ankle Brace be "better" for running rather than pivoting and such?

 
the plastic stays make the brace more rigid and give you better support. AS for which one would be best, I'd say got to the sporting goods store and try them on with your shoes and do some athletic movements. Yes, you might look like a goober, but you'll know for sure which ones are comfortable and give you the most support. Also, you'll get the right size. Or order different kinds online and try them out. Return the ones you don't like.

 
Ordered the normal AOS and the AOS EVO and they came in the mail today. Not trying them on tonight because conferences were late and I'm tired.

 
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