Recommend me an ankle brace- badly sprained ankle

[DarrenL]

Can any Phers recommend an ankle brace?

Back story: A few years ago I sprained my ankle VERY badly- and its never healed properly. Since then it can sprain at random. Walking, running, sports, whatever i'm doing, it can sprain! I have gone for physio, which helps to strengthen the tendons, and as soon as my ankle is ready I will try the exercises they recommended.

So anyway, my ankle sprained again last night at Martial Arts. Performing a jumping spin side kick, I landed perfectly, only for me to end up in a heap on the floor. Seriously painful .

So, can anyone link to a decent ankle support that I can wear during sports and wont cost the earth?

Thanks!

Darren

[DocJock]

Lastrap or York work well for me.

[Vron]

I got one of these from here a few years ago and it was well worth the money - I hardly need to use it now.

http://www.physioroom.com/product/Aircast_A60_Ankl...

[rog007]

It might be that a brace is not what's required considering the history you have presented with. Once fitted, a brace acts like a crutch so the affected joint may become reliant upon the artificial support which could negatively affect it's own ability to recover and become stronger.

It might be that you have not given the affected area sufficient time to recover, and in your case, this could need las ong as 12-18 months for a chronic condition. And only then would you begin a slow and gentle (no jumping scissor kicks!) road to full fitness, which itself, if done in a progressive manner, could take a further 12 months. Patience is often the key in these kinds of scenarios. Rush it, and you pay the price. All IMHO of course. Good luck!

[Mon Ami Mate]

Get it checked out properly ASAP. I found myself in a similar situation a few years ago. Then one day it let go completely when I was playing rugby. The ankle ligaments tore away, taking a large chunk of bone with them. I had to have it all pinned back together and then did it again a few months later. I then had to have a major reconstructive op that has left me unable to run another step ever again or do anything that puts any load through the ankle. Can't even manage a four mile country walk. I'm contnually on painkillers that mess up my stomach and keep me awake. The whole thing has become arthritic, which I'm having to be separately treated for. I'm now registered disabled and about to have my fifth major op on the ankle. According to the surgeon I may have to have the ankle permanently fused. It's my right ankle - this will mean hand controls on the car and all sorts of potential ramifications. I'm 42.

Don't dismiss it as "just a sprain". Get yourself properly checked out tomorrow.

[DarrenL]

Mon Ami Mate said:

Get it checked out properly ASAP. I found myself in a similar situation a few years ago. Then one day it let go completely when I was playing rugby. The ankle ligaments tore away, taking a large chunk of bone with them. I had to have it all pinned back together and then did it again a few months later. I then had to have a major reconstructive op that has left me unable to run another step ever again or do anything that puts any load through the ankle. Can't even manage a four mile country walk. I'm contnually on painkillers that mess up my stomach and keep me awake. The whole thing has become arthritic, which I'm having to be separately treated for. I'm now registered disabled and about to have my fifth major op on the ankle. According to the surgeon I may have to have the ankle permanently fused. It's my right ankle - this will mean hand controls on the car and all sorts of potential ramifications. I'm 42.

Don't dismiss it as "just a sprain". Get yourself properly checked out tomorrow.

Bloody hell!

I have already had physio for it in 2009 and to be fair over the last year it only sprained once since 23rd Dec 2009. Over the course of 2010 I went over once- which didn't hurt or seem to cause any swelling etc...and then all of a sudden it went again on Thursday night. I will start the physio exercises again as soon as I feel better. I will get it checked out.

Thanks!

Darren