Ankle injuries are known as one of the most typical experienced injuries by both athletes and regular people alike which is why orthopedic ankle braces are really important. Orthopedic ankle braces mainly keep your ankle stable and lessen the pressure off it by restricting the movement. This is very fundamental as ankle injuries such as sprains and strains are extremely painful when moved. The use of orthopedic ankle braces reduces the pain felt and assists the injured part to heal by dramatically reducing the trauma inflicted to it when walking.
There are actually several types of orthopedic ankle braces that can be used to treat ankle injuries. Typically, rigid ankle braces are the ones immediately used when an ankle injuty happens. This type of ankle braces completely immobilizes the ankle so the patient cannot move the injured part. Immobilizing the ankle at once after being injured is highly important as the injured person suffers from extreme pain even if moved a bit. Furthermore, immobilizing the injured ankle protects the newly injured area from further damage or injury.
The functional ankle braces is another form of orthopedic ankle braces. This category includes Aircast or semirigid braces, soft braces, and lace-up braces. In comparison with rigid ankle braces, these types of braces allows some mobility to the ankle. A recent study even concluded that treating acute ankle sprains with functional ankle braces can lead to better results compared to the treatment that involves immobilizing the ankle with rigid ankle braces. Individuals who used functional ankle braces for ankle injuru have faster recovery period, less inflammation and instability, and greater overall satisfaction.
[ad name=”Adsense LU 468″]
Furthermore, athletes involved in sports that are susceptible to ankle injuries such as basketball and football, can consider using special type of orthopedic ankle braces known as prophylactic ankle braces. These types of braces are a preventive measure against ankle injuries. They are very suitable for athletes who have a history of ankle injury thereby lessening the probability of recurring injury. The disadvantage of using such type of bracers is that it can restrict ankle movement which some people find uncomfortable thereby performance suffers.
