Ankle Bracing

Ankle Bracing Basics

Ankle braces come in many styles with each designed to provide a type of support. The most basic way to group the many styles is to separate them into custom and non custom braces.

Non-custom Ankle Braces

Non-custom ankle braces are usually bought by size and are most commonly used for lateral ankle sprains. Lateral ankle sprains are usually caused by rolling the ankle causing damage to the anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL), the calcaneo-fibular ligament (CFL) or the posterior talo-fibular ligament. The braces used normally offer mild to moderate support and are used for recovery and injury prevention. This support is very important after chronic lateral ankle sprains as each sprain weakens the ligaments making the next sprain more likely.

Another common issue that can be treated by non-custom braces is mild foot drop. Carbon fiber devices are used to keep the toes from dropping while adding very little weight.

Carbon Fiber AFO

- Weighs almost nothing, works in most shoes, and keeps the ankle in a neutral position.
- The brace acts like a spring when you roll off your toe giving you a literal spring in your step!

Thuasne Malleo Dynastab Boa

- Rigid stay on the outside of the ankle offers moderate support against lateral ankle sprains.
- Doesn't limit plantarflexion and is better suited for athletes than an ASO.

ASO (Ankle Stabilizing Orthosis)

- Very common, used for general stability, restricts all ankle motions and support is mild.
- Restricts motion in all directions, needs to be tightened frequently.

Custom Ankle Braces

Custom ankle braces are usually referred to as an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) and are made from a cast of the patient's foot and ankle. There are hundreds of designs for this style of brace since each is designed for the patient. The custom nature means the device can be made to support severe deformities and are made from many different materials including thermoplastics, leather, metal, and carbon fiber. They can be solid limiting anke motion, have a joint which guides the ankle motion, or made of carbon fiber which flexes like a spring controlling some motion and assisting others.