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Ankle sprains are often accompanied by symptoms such as pain, swelling, difficulty walking, and limited joint mobility. Due to its common occurrence in daily life, many people may overlook methods of sprain care, such as early recovery of activity and the use of inappropriate ankle protectors.
A common question people ask themselves when nursing their ankle sprain is, “Should I wear an ankle brace after a sprain?” Most don’t really see the point of wrapping a cloth tightly around your injury. But there are actually many benefits to using a brace as a treatment for sprains and as ankle support for walking.
In this article, we’ll go into depth on the topic of ‘Should I wear an ankle brace after a sprain?’ We’ll discuss certain factors, like its types, why it’s recommended, and much more.
What Should I Do for a Sprained Ankle?
Ankle sprains are a fairly common injury globally. This is why it’s imperative everyone knows how to treat a sprained ankle if the situation comes up. Let’s look at some other remedies to the issue:
1. Follow the RICE Principle
The RICE principle stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This is a widely recommended method of treating a sprained ankle, so you can trust it to be an effective one.
Simply rest the sprained ankle to prevent further damage, and ice it to reduce swelling. Then compress your ankle with an elastic bandage and elevate it above your heart level to lessen the pain.
2. Seek Medical Attention
If your ankle is still swollen 2-3 days after the home treatment, contact a doctor to examine it. They’ll take some tests to rule out any broken bones or serious injuries. Then, according to their diagnosis, the doctor will provide a treatment plan, which might include physical therapy and medication for managing pain.
3. Use Ankle Braces or Other Support
Finally, if you’re thinking, ‘Should I wear an ankle brace after a sprain?’ then go for it. Some doctors actually recommend wearing an ankle brace for a sprain.
A brace provides extra stability and protection for your ankle. They also make it easier for you to walk around without putting too much strain on your injury.
Why is it Recommended to Use Ankle Braces After a Sprain?
How do ankle supports help sprained ankles? Let’s look at the reasons it’s recommended to wear a brace after a sprain:
1. Provide Compression and Support for the Ankle Joint and Ligaments
Ankle sprains typically occur when the ligaments in your ankle are forced to move in the wrong direction. This overstretches the ligaments, causing them to tear and swell. Consequently, this tear also affects the stability of the ankle joint, making it prone to abnormal movements.
That’s why wearing an ankle brace is important, as it provides the necessary compression and support to heal the sprain. The extra support keeps your ankle in a secure position to block the risk of further injury. The compression helps manage the swelling and inflammation, which are expected after a sprain.
2. Limit the Abnormal Range of Ankle Movement
As mentioned before, the torn ligaments can cause the ankle to become unstable and move abnormally. If not dealt with correctly, the ankle can roll and twist in ways that cause additional pain and damage to your injury. Fortunately, an ankle brace can solve this issue as well.
Ankle braces are designed to restrict excessive and abnormal movements. A fixed ankle gives the ligaments the opportunity to heal. This way, wearing a brace contributes to an effective and safe healing process.
Which Ankle Brace is Best for Treating Sprains?
Understanding which brace is best for treating your injury is an important step. The two basic types include:
1. Soft Ankle Braces
These types of braces are usually made from flexible materials like neoprene or elastic. The brace’s flexibility provides gentle compression and mild support for the ankle. This makes it one of the best brace for sprained ankles, minor injuries, and the later stages of recovery.
Since the material of soft ankle braces is flexible and lightweight, they support your ankle without being overly restrictive to movement. This makes them suitable for daily wear and physical activities while also contributing to healing.
2. Semi-Rigid Ankle Braces
There are two types of semi-rigid braces:
- Laced-Up Braces
Similar to soft ankle braces, laced-up braces are helpful to treat mild to moderate ankle sprains. However, these braces are more restricting as they limit the joint’s side-to-side and up-and-down movements.
What makes up for the restrictions are the added supports that come with these braces. These supports are placed on the outer and inner parts of the brace to maintain proper alignment and stability of the joint.
- Hinged Braces
Although this brace also restricts side-to-side movement, it still allows for up-and-down joint movement. Additionally, hinged braces have two rigid braces and padding for extra support and comfort for your injury. Some of these braces also come with velcro straps that allow for easy removal and adjustment.
When Can I Use Ankle Braces?
When can I use ankle braces? Here are some common occurrences where you’ll need an ankle brace:
1. Recovery Period
Wearing an ankle brace can be especially beneficial during your injury’s recovery period. It aids in the healing process by reducing excessive movement and protecting the damaged ligaments.
Without the support and protection of a brace, your ankle would only be vulnerable to further damage and injury.
2. Repeated Sprains
If you have a history of repeated ankle sprains, wearing an ankle brace may be a suitable treatment for you. Repeated sprains are typically the result of weakened ligaments from a previous injury or an improper method of healing.
By wearing an ankle brace, you can restrict excessive rolling or twisting of the joints and, in turn, prevent re-injury.
3. When Standing for Long Periods of Time
Wearing an ankle brace can be helpful in situations where you need to stand for an extended period of time. The added support of wearing a brace helps alleviate the pain and discomfort of standing all day.
This also applies to people suffering from a previous injury and chronic instability. Wearing a brace will reduce the risk of re-injuring yourself.
How Long Do I Need to Wear Ankle Braces?
Should I wear an ankle brace all day? How long should you wear an ankle brace per day? Simply put, the answer to your question depends entirely on the severity of your injury. Sprain severity can be broken down into the following types:
1. Lateral Ankle Sprains:
This type of sprain occurs on the outside of the ankle, typically from rolling inward. Its severity levels and duration of treatment are as follows:
- Severe Ankle Sprains: Wear the brace for 6 weeks or a little longer for proper healing.
- Moderate Sprains: The recommended duration is 4 to 6 weeks
- Minor Sprains: These sprains usually don’t require a brace unless you’re on challenging terrain or you’re especially active.
2. Medial Ankle Sprains
These types of sprains are typically more severe than lateral ankle sprains and require a longer time to recover. It occurs on the outer side of the ankle due to it rolling inward. You can expect to wear the brace for 6 to 12 weeks.
Useful Ankle Supports
Fivali offers various types of ankle brace for sprain you can use to aid your recovery. Some of their more effective ankle braces include:
1. Fivali Adjustable Ankle Compression Wrap 2 Pack FAR02
With the Fivali Adjustable Ankle Compression Wrap 2 Pack FAR02, get ready to experience unparalleled comfort and support. This brace features a wrap-around design for adjustable ankle support and a custom fit.
It also consists of an extended design for superior protection against injury. Alongside this, the open-heal and breathable fabric provides maximum comfort and flexibility.
2. Fivali Lace Up Ankle Stabilizer 1 Pack FAH03
The Fivali Lace Up Ankle Stabilizer FAH03 offers superior protection and dependable support for your ankle. Its lace-up design and easy-to-use rotatory knob allow for adjustable tightness, securing a perfect fit every time you wear it.
Besides naturally elevating your pain, the Fivali Lace Up Ankle Stabilizer also features washable fabric to retain your hygiene during recovery.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve found a satisfying answer to your query, ‘Should I wear an ankle brace after a sprain?’ But be sure to purchase a suitable brace for your injury, depending on the severity of the strain.
For a wide selection of high-quality ankle braces that suit the severity of your sprain, visit Fivali’s website. Their products provide exceptional support for your daily activities and unparalleled protection from further injuries.
