Wearing time
The general rule is this: wear your ankle as much as your doctor recommends. However, you need to start gradually.
Getting used to your ankle is like getting used to a new pair of shoes. The first four days are especially important. On the first day, wear an ankle brace for one hour and severely limit physical activity. On the second day, wear the ankle for 2 hours, on the third day - for 4 hours, on the fourth - for 6 hours. If you feel like you are forcing the adaptation period, add only 30 minutes each day. At the same time, increase your level of physical activity.
The adjustment period usually lasts from one to six weeks. Orthopedists recommend switching to permanent ankle wear no earlier than two weeks later. Having adapted to the orthosis, you can wear it all day, which will dramatically increase the effectiveness of its effect on the joint and ligaments.
How to choose a bandage (orthosis) for the ankle?
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October 12, 2021
Ankle joint: structure
In order to understand what kind of ankle brace (orthosis) you need, you first need to understand the structure of the ankle joint.
The ankle joint is a movable block-like joint of the lower leg of the foot bones. This joint includes the tibia, talus and fibula.
The ankle is mobile:
- Along the frontal axis (the ability to bend and straighten the foot);
- Along the sagittal axis (slight abduction and adduction).
It must withstand considerable loads than other joints, because during normal walking it bears a load seven times higher than the main weight. It also represents a guarantee of straight posture and excellent gait.
We present to you a list of problems that, in particular, the ankle joint faces:
- Injury to the ankle joint (dislocations, subluxations, sprains, wounds, fractures, etc.).
- Inflammations such as arthritis, osteoarthritis.
- Valgus-varus foot placement, flat feet, foot drop and sagging, various ankle instability.
- Paresis and paralysis due to diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves of the extremities (stroke, neritis, plexitis, tumors).
- Relapses due to previous injuries and surgical interventions.
- Children's diseases with instability in the joints of the legs, loss of verticalization (cerebral palsy, rickets, ankle dysplasia).
Pathologies and injuries in this area take a person out of the usual rhythm of life for a long time. By not taking proper care of your injured ankle, you are exposing yourself to improper bone healing, lameness, and chronic ankle disease. Let us conclude that in case of any joint damage, it is absolutely important to seek qualified help.
Bandage (orthosis) on the ankle joint
This medical device fixes the ankle joint and is one of the methods for treating injuries to the ankle area, inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the joint, during the rehabilitation period of injuries, operations, nerve damage and strokes. The ankle brace performs various functions, such as:
- Fixation of the foot in a physiologically correct position, stabilization, unloading of the ankle joint..
- Restoring the function of the musculoskeletal system of the lower extremities after injuries, surgeries, and joint diseases.
- Relieving pain and swelling in inflammatory diseases of the joint and ligaments (arthrosis, arthritis, ligamentitis, heel spur).
- Protection of joints and ligaments from injuries and damage during sports and increased physical activity.
- Reducing pain and strengthening muscles and ligaments.
- Correction of abnormal foot position, such as foot drop due to nerve damage, or correction of ankle dysplasia.
Types of ankle orthoses
They are divided according to their properties: strength and rigidity of fixation.
- Light fixation (also called soft) - gently fix the joint, used for medicinal purposes for minor injuries, arthritis, for fixing the foot, for preventive purposes, for relieving mild swelling, for sports.
- Medium fixation (semi-rigid fixation of the joint) - strongly fixes the ankle and foot, thanks to various inserts (plastic, metal). Used for bruises, sprains, during the rehabilitation period of fractures, after removal of plaster. For the prevention of fractures in dynamic sports.
- Rigid fixation - used for severe injuries and fractures as an alternative to plaster, as they provide complete immobilization (fixation) of joint tissues.
- There are also special orthoses for the ankle joint used for foot drop, for example, the so-called foot holder (foot support) or Swedish orthosis. It is prescribed for traumatic nerve injuries, joint injuries, ankle ligaments. Consequences of paralysis, strokes, cerebral palsy (CP). The orthosis fixes the drooping foot in a physiological position, which makes it possible to move independently, and prevents the development of contracture (stiffness) in the ankle joint.
- An orthosis-derotational boot is a plastic bandage on the ankle, used for fractures of the femoral neck, in order to exclude rotational movements of the lower limb for complete healing of the fracture in the femoral neck.
What materials are used in the manufacture of ankle braces?
Various materials are used to manufacture this orthopedic product. You need to choose them depending on the functions that the latch performs.
If a person is prone to allergic reactions, the choice should fall on those products that contain a large percentage of cotton .
To reduce pain, swelling and keep you warm, stick to neoprene products .
Neoprene ankle support F 2221
Models with silicone inserts provide reliable compression and fixation, as silicone models and fills unevenness in the joint configuration. If you experience heavy stress on your feet, such as sports or high physical activity. loads, such clamps are especially good.
Ankle brace with silicone inserts F 2602
For a more secure fit, elastic models have Velcro and straps.
Ankle brace with additional straps F 2223
Do not be afraid of synthetic fabrics in the material. Modern fabrics are produced using the highest technologies and are “Breathable”.
How to decide on the size?
When choosing one or another ankle brace, you need to decide what size you need. A size chart (size chart) can help you with this, which is often indicated by the product manufacturer itself on the packaging. To do this, take a centimeter tape, measure the required parameter, then use the size table to select the product size you need.
You need to rely on the following parameters:
- Foot (shoe) size.
- Calf circumference. We take measurements with a measuring tape at the widest part of the calf muscle, midway between the ankle and knee joint.
- Ankle (ankle) circumference. We take measurements with a measuring tape at the narrowest part of the ankle.
- Ankle circumference through the heel area. We press the heel firmly to the floor and use a measuring tape from the edge of the heel at an angle to measure the circumference of the ankle. We place the tape below the bones above the ankle.
By choosing the right bandage (orthosis), you will improve your condition during the rehabilitation period, when playing sports or at home!
How long to wear a bandage (orthosis) on the ankle joint.
The mode and time of wearing ankle braces is regulated and limited by the attending physician. If there is no direct recommendation, then the period of wearing the brace is determined until the pathological process is eliminated, this is the absence of pain and swelling at rest and at the time of loading on the joint. Long-term wearing of joint fixators is not recommended unless there are direct indications for this, since the so-called corseting effect may develop - weakness of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the joint.
For faster recovery during the rehabilitation period, massage and physiotherapy are recommended. This can be done right at home using massage products and physiotherapeutic devices. To activate blood circulation and stimulate sensory nerves, massage balls, electric and mechanical massagers are actively used. To relieve swelling and improve tissue nutrition, magnetic therapy devices (Almag-01, AMNP-01, Ortomag) and vibroacoustic devices Vitafon are used.
After using an ankle orthosis, orthopedic insoles and, in some severe cases, wearing orthopedic shoes are necessary to reduce the impact of walking on the ankle and foot.
Pain syndrome
If you experience severe pain while wearing your ankle boot, remove it and carefully examine your leg for irritation. Minor discomfort and the appearance of pinkish spots at the points of maximum correction (pressure) are considered normal. This stain should disappear within 20 minutes after you remove the orthosis. Gently massage your foot and put the ankle back on after one to two hours.
If the redness does not go away within 20 minutes and you experience severe pain or unbearable pressure in the area of the bony prominences when you reapply the orthosis, remove the orthosis and consult a podiatrist as soon as possible. Your ankle needs more precise adjustment.
Skin care
During the period of using the ankle, be especially careful about your foot hygiene. Wash your feet every day with mild soap, taking care of your heels and between your toes.
Cotton socks, knee socks or stockings will help avoid friction and keep your skin dry. The main condition is that the sock must be at least 5 cm above the ankle. Be sure to change your socks every day, and if possible, a couple of times a day.
Check your skin every night for redness, irritation, and chafing. If you have diabetes, check your feet and legs frequently and remember to use appropriate foot creams.
How to put on an ankle
If there are no special instructions from the orthopedist, the ankle section is put on in a sitting position. To begin, put on a long sock or stocking. Make sure the sock is pulled on neatly, without folds or gathers. Then put the ankle on your leg and secure it with the existing straps and fasteners according to the design features. Make sure that the heel is in place in the orthosis. Only then put on your shoes using a shoehorn. Never go outside in light or semi-rigid ankles without shoes. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, remove the ankle at night.
What is an ankle brace?
An ankle bandage is a tight fixing bandage that is needed to fix the ankle in an anatomically correct position. Securing the leg in a physiological position reduces the load and prevents the risk of injury.
The ankle brace fits tightly around the leg, ensuring the joint is securely fixed in the correct position, increasing its stability and strength. The main feature of the bandage is the absence of restrictions on mobility. Soft and almost imperceptible pads provide a gentle massage effect and do not cause compression of soft tissues.
Smooth compression and light massage actions help normalize local blood circulation, reduce tension on the ligaments, and eliminate unpleasant pain when the ankle joint is damaged.
To solve serious problems with the musculoskeletal system, rigid bandages and bandages are used. They provide strong fixation of the joint (up to complete restriction of movements). This is the main condition for successful recovery from severe injuries and injuries to the ankle.
Shoes
If you are going to wear an ankle brace with shoes, choose shoes that properly support your foot. If you buy new shoes, try them on with your ankle on your foot to choose the most comfortable model.
Shoes should have a closed toe and closed heel, preferably with a removable insole, low heels (no higher than 1.5 cm) and slightly wider than your normal size. If the heel is too high, you will feel pain in your knee or back. It is important that the heels on all pairs of shoes used are the same height.
When wearing ankle boots, you should give preference to shoes with Velcro fasteners or lace-ups in order to have more opportunities to adjust the circumference of the foot. The longer the lacing, the better.
What types of ankle braces are there?
Depending on the stiffness of the bandage, orthopedic ankle braces are soft, semi-hard and hard. To understand which bandage will be needed in each specific case, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of each group:
- Elastic bandages provide a soft degree of fixation and are used to prevent the negative consequences of minor injuries and simple injuries;
- Detachable designs with clasps allow you to easily adjust the tension force and achieve optimal fixation for effective recovery after removal of the plaster cast;
- Ligamentous type to support the lateral ligaments. The elastic bandage has removable straps and helps to fix the joint without restricting mobility;
- Semi-rigid bandages made of durable materials are equipped with additional parts for fixation, metal stiffeners and tightening ties. A rigid bandage will be required for the treatment of severe dislocations and fractures, during recovery after surgery and physiotherapeutic procedures. The bandage is a boot of the correct anatomical shape with a soft textile or plastic frame.