How to Choose the Best Ankle Brace
An ankle brace can be an important tool to help you recover from a number of injuries like ankle sprains, peroneal tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, but how do you know which brace is right for you? Here are some tips to remember while choosing an ankle brace. There are three main things to consider when choosing an ankle brace:
• Level of Support Needed
• Type of Injury
• Ankle Brace Fit and Design
Determine the Correct Level of Support
BioSkin offers two levels of support to consider when choosing an ankle brace. The Premium Ankle Compression Brace provides all-over compression, and also includes a rigid stirrup strap to stabilize the ankle joint and restrict painful motion during rehabilitation. We recommend this type of brace for immediate post-injury protection and pain relief.
BioSkin’s most supportive ankle brace is the TriLok. With its innovative strap design, the TriLok functions similar to a rigid ankle brace without the discomfort of hard materials. The TriLok includes a base ankle sleeve for soft joint compression, yet also includes a stirrup strap and patented FootLok strap for additional support and ankle stabilization. The TriLok is ideal for maximum ankle protection and support but can still fit in most shoes.
Type of Injury or Reason for Use
In addition to varying levels of support, the ankle brace’s functionality as it relates to a specific injury is important to consider.
For those with excessive swelling after an ankle injury or surgery, we recommend the Premium Ankle Compression Brace - Wraparound. This ankle brace is designed to address pain and swelling post-injury or post-surgery with a comfortable, adjustable fit. The supportive straps stabilize the ankle joint during the healing process.
Injuries or conditions such as PTTD, fallen arches, and plantar fasciitis all require medial (arch) support. The TriLok’s FootLok strap can be worn medially to wrap around the midfoot and pull up on the inside of the ankle to support the arch from above. This design allows the TriLok to function like a custom orthotic and can be used for pain relief and ankle support throughout the day.
Returning to activity following an injury is a delicate situation, so always consult with your healthcare provider to make the right decision for you. After an ankle injury, the body loses some of its natural joint protection, a sense known as proprioception which helps your body understand where it is in space. Wearing a mild or moderate ankle brace or ankle sleeve provides compression in order to enhance proprioception and circulation. This helps protect the ankle joint from unwanted motion while returning to activity.
Determine the Proper Fit
The final consideration when choosing an ankle brace is securing the proper fit. An ankle brace or ankle sleeve should be comfortably tight. This means the brace should feel compressive throughout the foot and ankle, but not cut off circulation or cause any type of pain or discomfort. This type of fit can be difficult with swelling in the foot or ankle. When swelling is a factor, we recommend a wraparound design in order to have the ability to adjust the fit throughout the day and as swelling is reduced over time.
It is always important to refer to the size chart on each product page when making a sizing decision. If in between sizes, we recommend sizing up due to the compressive nature of our fabrics.
We hope this guide helped you find the right ankle brace for your needs. Remember to always consult with your doctor if you are unsure which option is best for you. If you have any questions about our products, you can use the live chat feature of the website, email orders@bioskin.com, or give us a call at 866-830-5777. We have a Satisfaction Guaranteed, 10-Day Risk-Free Trial so you can make sure you're happy with your purchase.
