An ankle sprain is one of the significant injuries affecting many athletes or sportspeople, making the best ankle brace after a sprain significant.
However, it isn’t peculiar to athletes alone; it is one of the inevitable injuries anybody can sustain while walking, jogging, running, jumping, and so on.
The injury typically happens when you accidentally twist or awkwardly turn your ankle. When this unavoidable injury occurs, one of the things you need to get back on track is the best ankle brace after a sprain which is very important to the healing process of the leg.
An ankle brace holds the ankle in position, preventing it from moving or twisting to allow it heals up and prevent further injury.
An ankle brace is not worn to heal a sprained ankle alone; it is also used as a safety measure against sustaining such injury.
Therefore, you might not need to wait till you twist your bone before getting an ankle brace; you can also get it to serve as a safety/prevention measure against ankle sprain or every other nagging injury that the ankle is liable to sustain
Selecting the right brace can be daunting and challenging. That is why I have taken my time to review the ten best ankle supports in the market. Since sprain doesn’t affect the ankle alone, you may want to check our article on wrist sprain brace to help a nagging wrist pain
Read also: foot massagers to relieve foot pain.
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Overall Best Ankle Brace for Sprain – PowerLix Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve
Our number one spot and overall best is PowerLix Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve.
With thousands of reviews by customers and a rating of 4.7/5.0. PowerLix Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve has established itself as the best in the market.
It applies even pressure across the ankle joint, which relieves various ailments like sprain, strain, swelling, muscle fatigue, tendonitis, and other ankle injuries.
The ankle brace is perfect for every sport, freeing you from an ankle injury. It is also manufactured to provide ultimate comfort, relief, and support and helps improve blood circulation.
Pros
- 4-way compression sleeve designed for complete protection.
- High sweat and odour absorption capacity
- It improves blood circulation for fast recovery.
- Anti-slip system
Read: ankle brace useful for peroneal tendonitis
Our Top 10 Ankle Brace and Support
I have taken my time to come up with the following ten ankle braces, which I am sure will be a good buy no matter which you decide to go for at the end of the day.
1. PowerLix Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve (Overall best)
2. Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve (best cheap)
4. Mcdavid Ankle Brace, Ankle Support, Ankle Support
5. Ankle Support Brace – Compression Sleeve with Adjustable Strap
6. The Orthopedic Guys Low Top Non-Air Walker Fracture Boot
7. TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve
9. Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer
Best Ankle Brace After Spain – Top Reviews
#2 Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve (best cheap)
This ankle brace is highly recommended for sprain and other ankle injuries. It is one of the best in the market. It can be worn independently or with socks and shoes for optimum comfort.
Furthermore, it improves circulation for ultra-fast recovery and provides optimal support for muscle endurance.
Also, it offers excellent support for your sprained ankles, with no stress of putting on, is light in weight and easily adjustable.
The compression ankle sleeve can be used for running, weightlifting, working out, and other sports you wish to engage in.
Pros
- Adjustable, thereby allowing you to have support where you need it most.
- It is made of unique compression fabrics capable of eliminating the build-up of sweat.
- It comes in different sizes, from small to extra-large sizes
- Its advanced compression stimulates blood circulation to prevent swelling.
#3 BioSkin Trilok Ankle Brace
One of the best ankle braces after a sprain is BioSkin Trilok Ankle Brace, one you should look out for in the market while trying to get an ankle brace for quick recovery from tibial tendon dysfunction or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD).
Its compression base sleeve gives you a head start in your recovery process with its patented ‘footlok’ strap, which acts as an external ligament. It protects the weak or vulnerable ligament around the ankle.
The level of support can be adjusted by pulling up the footlok strap.
Pros
- Easily adjustable to suit the level of support needed.
- It comes with an external footlocker strap which acts as an external ligament for more protection.
- It also has Trilok, which alleviates fasciitis pain
#4 Mcdavid Ankle Brace, Ankle Support, Ankle Support
With a rating of 4.3/5.0 from buyers on Amazon(over 70% giving a 5.0 rating), the McDavid ankle brace has established itself as one of the best ankles you can get on the market. It is highly recommended for your sprained ankle or protection against it.
The design is made to stimulate athletic tapes with a figure-6 strapping pattern. Furthermore, the top strap enables comfort and compression for a custom fit while it can also be adjusted without having to remove the shoe or the shoelace.
With this ankle brace, you can remove your mind from an ankle injury while going about your daily activities. It even gets better for the sports guys as you can entirely focus on your sport without any fear of damage, providing maximum protection for your ankle.
Pros
- Great compression and support
- Easily adjustable
- Durable to major instabilities
- Front lace with a strap for easy wear and access.
See also: Best Crutches for Broken Ankle.
#5 Ankle Support Brace – Compression Sleeve with Adjustable Strap
One of the best ankle brace after sprain for the sports guys, this brace comes with a compression sleeve and adjustable strap, making it easy to protect against chronic strain and sprains fatigue.
It does not only protect the ankle but also helps you recover fast should you have accidentally sprained your ankle.
Pros
- Adjustable tightness; it’s easy to use crisscross strapping attach firmly anywhere along the entire sleeve
- Made from a high-quality elastic nylon material which makes it fit any size of the foot and can easily be used with either leg (left or right)
- It is also made from a quality breathable material that enhances blood circulation and provides soothing warmth. This helps reduce the recovery time of the injury.
- Its new design comes with silicone inside, which provides enough friction and prevents slipping.
#6 The Orthopedic Guys Low Top Non-Air Walker Fracture Boot
The Orthopedic Guys Low Top Non-Air Walker Fracture Boot has gained popularity among other ankle braces due to increased customer reviews and recommendations from previous users due to the high recovery, comfort, and protection against injuries it offers to the user.
The design makes it versatile; therefore, it can be worn on either left or right foot. Also, it comes in different sizes, from minor to medium and large. It is light in weight and has a cushioned heel for maximum comfort and energy absorption.
Pros
- Cushioned heel for patient’s comfort.
- A roller gate stimulates regular walking.
- Versatility as it can be worn on both legs
#7 TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve
An ankle injury can be so nagging and annoying and can keep you down when you should be up and doing; with TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve, you can be assured of being active and staying active.
This product is easy to use when you select the correct size, which ushers comfort and compression to keep the ankle in shape, with its breathable and moist wicking fabrics, which keep your feet dry and a slim design that is durable and lightweight.
TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve is very versatile (can be worn on both feet) and can be used along with socks without causing any discomfort.
Pros
- A slim-fit design which affords comfort and proper compression,
- Made with Nylon and Spandex for superior foot and ankle support.
- Easy to use and fit well into any footwear
#8 Zensah Ankle Support
With its innovative design, which provides an optimum level of support for the ankle, Zensah ankle support is among the most recommended ankle brace on our list.
With a customer rating of 4.4/5.0 on Amazon, this product has established itself among the best. It has also gained much popularity among the customer due to its effectiveness in recovering sprained or strained ankles and protecting them from injury. It is made with 75% nylon and 25% spanker, breathable, light, and moist wicking.
Pro
- Stinking free experience
- It comes in different sizes ranging from small to large
- Provides a high recovery rate
- It can be worn on both feet (versatile)
#9. Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer
This ankle brace is for a complete figure-eight to protect and support the ankle. Made of ballistic nylon boot provides superior durability and high strength.
Being one of the most recommended ankle supports by athletic trainers, surgeons, and physical therapists, Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer has established itself as one of the most potent forces in the market, with over two thousand customers reviewing it on amazon and about 4.2/5.0 rating.
Its contoured tongue provides exceptional fit, finger loop at the end of the brace assists in securing straps for optimum support.
#10 Liomor Ankle Support
Liomor Ankle Support is one of the cheapest in the market and still does the job perfectly. It offers excellent reliable support for the ankle, and we strongly recommend it as one of the best ankle braces after sprain with its crisscrossing strap.
It is moisture-wicking and also eliminates odour keeping the foot very fresh.
Pros
- It is made from elastic and durable materials which offer the best compression for the ankle.
- Fits perfectly into the shoe or any other footwear.
- Very cheap and affordable.
How to Choose the Best Ankle Brace after Sprain
To select the best ankle brace, there are lots of criteria to consider while choosing an ankle brace. I have selected the most critical factors to look into before deciding on the mount to choose for your sprained ankle:
- Comfort
- Compression
- Support and protection
- Fitness
- Price
Comfort
Comfort is one of the crucial factors to consider in choosing ankle support. You don’t want to wear something uncomfortable with your sprained ankle. It is imperative to wear something you can quickly wear your shoe with and can be easily adjusted without having to remove your footwear.
Compression
A good ankle brace must have a good compressibility factor. This factor helps in pressing the strained bone into the right place for recovery from injury. Furthermore, the ankle brace also protects from damage possible when the compression is on point to hold the ankle bone in the correct position.
Support and protection
Along with compression, you must think about support when deciding on an ankle brace. This helps prevent twisting or sprain by holding the bone firmly into its position, thereby protecting against injury or fast recovery from the already sustained injury.
Fitting
This is an essential factor; a good ankle brace must be fit to achieve its aim effectively. This is where the correct size comes into play. The ankle brace always comes in different sizes, and choosing the right one is handy in achieving its purpose.
Price
Ankle brace comes in different varieties with a reasonable price range. Before an ankle brace can be decided, the price must also be considered to determine if the buyer can afford it. Ankle braces at a low price still do their job perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are our ankle braces good for sprained ankles?
When you get your ankle injured, like in the case of a sprained ankle, one of the best and most essential therapies your doctor will offer you is getting the best ankle brace for a sprain.
Therefore, since an ankle brace holds your ankle joints in place to prevent unnecessary movement, it is good to get an ankle brace after you have sprained your ankle.
They serve as support that holds your ankle in position while you recover and thereby preventing any further damage to the ankle.
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Should I sleep with my ankle brace on?
There are a lot of schools of thought on this, and the answer to this question might not be straightforward. When you injure your ankle like a sprained ankle, rest is one of the most important therapies.
You might want to keep the ankle free of any load to allow a quick and proper healing process. In this case, wearing an ankle brace might not be the best since your ankle is resting when you sleep and putting a brace on might be an unnecessary load.
But there are some cases where the pain is so severe, and your comfort is only gotten from the correct compression of the affected region. You might want to think about getting an elastic bandage to give you the compression needed.
When should you wear an ankle brace?
There are lots of situations that can warrant wearing an ankle brace. However, it is not advisable to always rely on an ankle brace because over-reliance tends to weaken the ankle.
Most time, when you want to partake in strenuous activities or sports/exercise that requires much of the ankle to be strained, you might want to think about wearing an ankle brace for protection against injury. Also, an ankle brace can be required after surgery.
Furthermore, when the ankle is injured severely, and there is a great need to prevent movement that can worsen the situation, we might also want to consider getting an ankle brace to support in such cases.
How long should you wrap a sprained ankle?
For a sprained ankle, it must not be more than 5weeks before you are completely healed. It can be less than that, but if you do not notice any improvement after five weeks, you should contact your doctor so that further examinations can be done on the ankle.
For another type of injury, it may be more than that time frame. You may need to even seek medical advice before going ahead with wrapping your injured ankle.
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How tight should an ankle brace be?
Most ankle braces have an adjustable strap and removable pads to give you that control over compression and fitness.
This is because the amount of compression you need per time may differ, so you can customize the tightness to what you want.
How tight an ankle brace should be will depend on the severity of the injury. If it is so severe and you need great support to stabilize the ankle, you might want to increase how tight it is to the maximum.
Also, the tightness should be controlled to our comfort. It should not be so tight that you feel uncomfortable wearing the ankle brace.
Should I keep my ankle wrapped overnight?
Wrapping of the ankle or any injury should only be done when swelling. The wrapping should be with an elastic bandage.
Also, wrapping the ankle can give compression needed for the pain to subside. But if there is no swelling, there might not be a need to cover your ankle overnight.
You can always do well by elevating the affected leg. Putting a pillow under and placing the ankle on it might be very okay. It helps your ankle recover fast.
Is it okay to massage a sprained ankle?
Yes! It is very okay to massage a sprained ankle but should never be done immediately. You can give it time, let’s say after three days of the injury.
Also, the massage should not be done directly from the strain point. It should be started from a healthy point and massaged down to the sprained area. You can always get someone to do this for you, as self-massage might be too effective.
See also: Best foot spa for pain
Do ankle braces weaken your ankles?
So many ankle brace users have asked this question. They are very curious about this subject matter to know how safely they use an ankle brace.
What an ankle brace does is hold and support your ankle. This prevents the movement of ankle joints during the recovery process from an ankle injury. Using an ankle brace daily for injury prevention makes your ankle rely so much on the rigid brace.
The ankle needs some motion to get it stronger, and using an ankle brace daily prevents that, thereby weakening the ankle more. Therefore to answer the question straightforward, over-reliance on an ankle brace can weaken your ankle.
Final Words
Whichever you choose among our best ankle braces after sprain will be a good buy and worth every penny spent. Our overall best PowerLix Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve was chosen based on good customer feedback, customer rating, and the number of buys.
Our best cheap was also chosen based on the criteria as overall best but a significantly lesser price. We believe anyone you decide to go for will work well and save you from unnecessary and avoidable ankle issues.
With the many available products, getting the best ankle brace after a sprain can be daunting. We are pretty confident about these and strongly recommend them.
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