Articles Doing a lot of work, walking and physical activity every day leads to tension in all body systems. The ankle joint is no exception, which allows a person to walk confidently and smoothly without losing balance.
The main function of the ankle joint is to constantly monitor the condition and function of the foot during walking. The goal of the ankle is to redistribute the load from the heel to the toe.
The important and daily work of the ankle leads to rapid wear and tear of the joint and the risk of serious leg injury. If unpleasant or painful sensations occur, you should immediately and promptly fix the ankle joint in its natural (correct) position to prevent more serious problems and injuries.
An ankle brace can be effectively used to simply and reliably fix the joint in an anatomically correct position to prevent its further and severe displacement and relieve severe pain.
What is an ankle orthosis and why is it needed?
An ankle orthosis, or a bandage as it is also called, is a special orthopedic device that is made of durable textile materials. A very important feature of this material is its elasticity.
In appearance, the orthosis resembles an ordinary sock. In order to provide a more secure fit to the foot, plastic inserts or metal components can be additionally inserted between the fabric.
Ankle orthoses provide the necessary orthopedic regime and the correct position of the damaged joint, reduce the level of stress and pain, provide a warming effect and micro-massage to improve blood circulation. Also, wearing orthoses helps correct deformities of the musculoskeletal system.
The orthosis not only allows you to support the foot in the correct and comfortable position, but also does not restrict movement, provides the leg with the opportunity to move correctly when walking, facilitates the recovery process after injury, and protects the joint from additional loads and negative effects on it.
Ankle orthoses as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent are prescribed by doctors or rehabilitation specialists for the following purposes:
- fixation and protection of the ankle joint, as one of the constituent elements of complex treatment of various disorders of the human musculoskeletal system;
- for preventive purposes for people who engage in a lot of physical activity - athletes, tourists, lovers of active recreation and frequent walking;
- for people who are overweight, the bandage helps reduce stress on the joints;
- supporting the foot in a normal state in the presence of a tendency to deformation and pathological processes;
- prevention and prevention of injuries or inflammation of the foot joints for people who, due to their professional activities, expose their limbs to daily, prolonged and severe stress;
- to reduce or relieve foot pain;
- to reduce the time required for full recovery from injuries, increase the level of regeneration and speed up the recovery of patients.
What is the need for using an orthosis?
An ankle orthosis is a device that allows you to fix the ankle. This device can be called extremely high-quality in use, and its appearance is like a long sock. Ankle orthoses are manufactured using materials with good density and elasticity properties, with plastic or metal inserts. To fix them, various fasteners are used, through which you can adjust the size and level of fixation of the device. One of the benefits of a brace is that it allows the leg to move. In addition, this device is characterized by high fixation ability.
The purpose of ankle orthoses is to:
- Immobilization of the ankle joint for various diseases associated with the apparatus responsible for musculoskeletal function.
- Carrying out preventive measures for ankle injuries in people involved in sports, tourism, as well as leading an active lifestyle and often exposed to various troubles, and so on.
- Prevention of inflammation and injury in patients suffering from obesity.
- Prevention of bone tissue deformation in people prone to such pathological changes.
- Prevention of inflammation and injury in people who experience high stress on their limbs due to other factors, such as professional activities.
- Relieving pain.
- Acceleration of recovery terms. According to the results of practical studies, thanks to the use of an orthosis, damaged tissues are restored relatively quickly.
Indications for the use of such a bandage
The main indications for the use of ankle orthoses are the following situations:
- The presence of inflammatory processes and injuries that affect the ankle joint - arthritis, arthrosis and others.
- Fractures and chips in the ankle area.
- Damage to foot ligaments.
- Dislocation, subluxation and other conditions in which instability of the joint position is observed.
- Relief of pain and discomfort due to pathologies and abnormalities of the foot.
- For the prevention of injuries and problems in professional athletes or people suffering from excess weight.
- Only a doctor can determine the need to use an ankle orthosis.
Classification
Next, we will analyze the main types of orthoses, divided according to the criterion of rigidity:
- Products of a soft look (with a light and medium level of fixation). Soft materials (fabric, etc.) are used to make soft orthoses, so they are more similar to socks than others. Their use is most often due to the need for preventive work and treatment of ankle injuries. This type of orthosis is the easiest to use and care for (characterized by the ability to easily put on, wash and wear in shoes).
- Semi-rigid products (with strong fixation). Plastic or metal inserts increase the level of fixation of these products, which can easily replace plaster. Semi-rigid orthoses most often include lacing or belts.
- Products of a rigid type (with 100% fixation). These orthopedic devices have a maximum level of fixation, and their equipment includes rigid inserts or splints. In the most common cases, they are used for joint diseases or fractures.
What types of ankle orthoses are there?
Orthoses are divided into types depending on their level of rigidity and fixation strength:
- Soft - provide easy fixation of the joint, and is used for preventive purposes.
- Semi-rigid products - designed for strong fixation of the foot thanks to special inserts made of plastic or metal.
- Hard – used for serious injuries or fractures.
| Soft ankle brace | Ankle brace with stiffeners |
You should choose a specific product exactly according to the doctor’s recommendation and prescription, taking into account the size of your foot width, for maximum wearing comfort.
The orthosis is very easy to put on and take off. You can wear it either on bare feet or on a light sock. Be sure to take breaks from wearing it and periodically remove the bandage to restore blood flow to the leg and allow it to rest.
Our company’s employees will be happy to provide detailed information about the benefits and features of using ankle orthoses.
Review of the best ankle orthoses
We present a short overview of ankle orthoses from the range of orthopedic salons Aesculapius.
Immobilizing ankle orthosis EST-088
The model has a durable design that immobilizes the joint at the required level.
Depending on the pathology, a rigid orthosis can be used to completely immobilize the leg until tissue integrity is restored.
A comfortable alternative to a plaster cast. Can be used instead of plaster if there are foot ulcers.
Ankle foot orthosis derotational with variable angles FS 2952
A derotational ankle orthosis with variable angles is used in the rehabilitation of bedridden patients. The main function is to limit rotation (rotation) in the hip joint.
The model can be used for rehabilitation after installation of prostheses or other operations on the hip joint.
A derotational orthosis is prescribed for the restoration of immobilized patients with paresis of the lower extremities or parts thereof, including after strokes.
Ankle bandage with lacing and stiffening ribs AS - ST/H
Indications for use: chronic instability of the ankle joint. sprains and ligament tears. rehabilitation after injuries and operations.
The model is made of air- and moisture-permeable material, equipped with four removable modeled metal stiffeners.
A convenient fastening system makes it easy to put on the bandage.
Detachable ankle bandage
A convenient model of a detachable design made of air- and moisture-permeable material with fixing Velcro.
The bandage is indicated for instability of the ankle joint, for arthrosis, arthritis, after injuries and operations. Can be used to prevent injuries during sports.
Elastic ankle support TAN 201
Unlike rigid and semi-rigid orthoses, an ankle brace is an elastic product that is not capable of immobilizing.
Its key function is to support the joint during intense loads and during the rehabilitation period after injuries and operations.
This product can be used to prevent hypothermia and achieve optimal thermal comfort.
Orthopedic salons Aesculapius invite you to buy an orthosis for the ankle joint. We have a large selection of orthoses, splints, and ankle braces.
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Surgical treatment of ankle ligamentous injuries
If all these measures are ineffective - persistent pain, swelling, a feeling of instability in the joint, repeated injuries, as well as complete damage to the external or internal complex of the ligamentous apparatus of the ankle joint, surgical treatment is indicated - restoration of the ligaments (ligament plastic surgery) to prevent the above complications.
Depending on the degree of damage, one of the surgical methods is used:
- suturing the ligaments (if they are in place, but deformed)
- periosteal valve (if ligaments are torn or not visible)
- transplantation of tendons and ligaments, the use of plantar material, or tendons to replace 2-3 ligaments; when performing these interventions, absorbable (absorbable) materials are used for fixation
The operation is performed under arthroscopic control (using a video camera inserted into the joint, its cavity is examined). Thanks to this, it is possible to diagnose and eliminate problems not only with damaged ligaments, but also inside the joint during one surgical intervention.
Immediately after the operation, the joint is fixed with a plaster cast so as not to subject it to unnecessary stress. This will lead to a speedy recovery. The sutures are removed after 12-14 days. After the sutures are removed, restorative treatment can begin. After 4 weeks, the cast can be replaced with a semi-rigid U-shaped ankle orthosis. Walking without crutches with full weight bearing on the joint is possible after a few weeks.
Classification by purpose
The characteristics of the disease dictate the rules for selecting an orthosis. The specialist determines the most rational option, based on the condition of the patient’s body. Thus, the following types of devices can be offered:
- preventive, relevant for people at risk or patients with minor joint changes;
- treatment and rehabilitation, suitable for restoring organs after injury;
- functionally permanent, used to restore the ability to move limbs whose joints have undergone irreversible changes.
As a rule, in the latter case, it is very important to choose the right orthosis or have it made to order - this will ensure its maximum functionality.
Choosing the right size
Based on the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient (weight parameters, age characteristics), the medical specialist prescribes an orthosis. In this case, the patient should pay attention not only to the recommendations of the treating doctor. He should know that the size of the orthosis will depend on the characteristics of the foot, ankle, ankle, lower leg, and ankle.
It should also be taken into account that the effectiveness of treatment is directly affected by the optimal selection of the size of the orthosis. If the product is of the wrong size, it will not have the desired effect, but may only aggravate the problem.
Our salon's highly qualified specialists will be happy to provide you with practical recommendations on determining the size of the orthosis.