Top 5 Ankle Supports with Impact Protection

3 July 2020

Whether you know it as rolling, twisting or spraining your ankle, anyone who plays high-impact sports knows the danger of tearing the ligaments in your joints. If you're looking to protect yourself, or to resume training following an injury, then an impact ankle brace is an unrivalled solution.

What Are Impact Protection Ankle Supports?

Impact protection braces and supports have two primary purposes:

Protection: Fit an impact protection support before running, hiking or playing football to stabilise your foot and prevent injury before it occurs
Recovery: Additional support and compression is essential to rehabilitate and soothe your ankle following a sprain

Impact supports form a protective barrier around your ankle, preventing it from skewing too far in either direction. A support will relieve the pain of a sprain and promote fast and healthy recovery. Many impact braces can be worn while playing sport so you can train safely without fear of injury or exacerbating existing damage.

What Is a Sprained Ankle?

If your foot is painful, swollen or difficult to move then you may have sprained your ankle. A sharp movement to either side or a kick or knock to your foot can result in tearing or stretching to the ligaments around your ankle joint. Don't worry, the injury will heal, but only if given the proper care:

Rest: After injury you must avoid activities that strain your ankle further
Ice: Treating your ankle with an ice pack will help reduce swelling
Compression: Compressing your ankle will speed up the healing process
Elevation: Raising your ankle will drain the fluid from the affected area

These are all great short term solutions to a sprained ankle, but an impact protection brace will provide the significant, long term help you need. A support will prevent further tearing of the ligaments during activity, and help to reduce the swelling that leads to extended recovery times. It can also be used to prevent strains from happening in the first place, pre-empting risks.

What Criteria Should I Look For in an Ankle Brace?

When selecting a new ankle brace it's important to find one that suits your specific needs. Following is a list of several considerations to bear in mind when making a decision:

Support: If you've badly injured yourself then you'll be looking for the maximum level of support and compression
Flexibility: A lightweight impact brace will allow full flexibility and motion while playing sports
Comfort: It's important to find a brace that's breathable, comfortable and easy to fit

Are you looking to prevent injury or recover from a sprain? Preventative impact braces will offer a greater degree of flexibility and less support, whereas recovery braces provide a higher level of support in exchange for decreased flexibility.

Health and Care’s Top 5 Ankle Supports with Impact Protection

Top Pick for Impact Protection

Donjoy Velocity Ankle Brace

Following an injury you'll find yourself hyper-aware of further damage, whether from a dodgy landing or a misplaced kick by a teammate. The rigid upright splints of the of the Donjoy Velocity Ankle Brace will prevent dramatic ankle inversion, eversion and rotation. Yet the support still allows for a sufficient level of flexibility to play at the top of your game.

Key Feature: Rigid uprights protect your ankle from impact during sports

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From Lightweight to Heavyweight

Following are several impact protection braces in order from lightest to heaviest. The lighter braces can be worn during high-energy sports, whereas the heavier braces are best for those in the earlier stages of recovery.

Aircast Airsport Ankle Brace

The Aircast Airsport Ankle Brace protects your ankle while allowing for full range of motion. The shell prevents inversion but is only semi-rigid, allowing for full flexibility. Foam filled air cells will reduce swelling and cross straps ensure the stabilisation required to prevent injury. The "step-in" design of the brace allows for quick and easy fitting beneath your sock.

Key Feature: Facilitates full flexibility, suitable for use during gymnastics

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Aircast A60 Ankle Brace

The exceptionally lightweight and comfortable ankle brace is easy to slip on and will not impact your athletic performance. Plastic stabilisers support your ankles, preventing rollover. The unique design of the Aircast A60 Ankle Brace buttresses your ankle at a 60 degree angle rather than 90 degrees, thus aligning with the natural position of your foot during fast-paced activity.

Key Feature: Aids recovery by supporting your foot at a natural angle for high-energy sports

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AnkleGuard Stirrup Ankle with Inflatable Pads

The rigid thermoplastic strips of the AnkleGuard Stirrup Ankle with Inflatable Pads are ideal for completely preventing inversion of the ankle. The brace features airbags which will provide compression to the subtalar joint, both supporting your foot and aiding recovery. If you're suffering from a moderate to severe sprain and looking for a high degree of comfort, then the AnkleGuard is the smartest choice.

Key Feature: Anatomically-contoured shells with inflatable air cushion for comfort and compressive support

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Roylan Stabiliser Walker Boot

When you've sustained a severe injury to your ankle it's essential to allow your body to heal correctly. The contoured struts of the Roylan Stabiliser Walker Boot are uniquely suited to this purpose, allowing for a natural gait and preventing awkward movements that may lead to further injury. The featured shock-absorbing insole reduces pain and increases the level of protection.

Key Feature: Promotes natural gait for faster recovery times after severe sprains and injuries

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Is an Impact Support Brace Right for Me?

If you don't think an impact ankle brace is suitable for you then browse our full selection of Ankle Supports & Ankle Braces options.

Get in Touch!

Do you have any questions about our ankle supports, or any of our other products for ankle rehabilitation and protection? Please don't hesitate to let us know in the comments, or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Tags: Aircast A60 Ankle Brace, Ankle Pain, Foot and Ankle Pain, Football, Sports Supports and Braces