What Is The Difference Between Ankle Brace And Ankle Support (2024)

What is the difference between ankle brace and ankle support?

To answer your question, we need to get a little more in-depth about the uses of these two aids, the movements they allow, and when they should be worn.

Choosing between an ankle brace and ankle support can be hard and confusing, especially if this is your first time purchasing one of these aids.

Both are used to protect the ankle joint health, but they aren’t the same.

Table of Contents

Ankle Brace Vs Ankle Support

There are several main differences between these two types of products. They’re not meant to serve the same purpose, although their main goal is to protect the health of the ankle joint.

If you want to prevent any harm, it’s essential to know which type of accessory you need to buy. That’s why you need to learn the difference between ankle brace and ankle support. Let’s dive in:

Braces

Braces are meant to be worn during an acute ankle injury, lateral ankle sprains, mid-ankle sprains, acute instability, chronic instability, ankle pain, ankle surgery, and more.
Some braces are very similar to ankle support and can also be used during physical activity after an ankle sprain or injury. These braces are rarely worn for ankle sprain prevention.
Braces are more rigid compared to ankle support. They don’t allow a lot of ankle movements.
Braces should only be worn right after an injury, during recovery, and shortly after recovery. This is not a device that you should use long-term because it can make your ankles weaker.
A study reports that patients with chronic ankle instability showed decreased muscle activity during rehabilitation exercises after wearing ankle braces.

Support

Ankle support is responsible for the prevention of ankle injuries. These accessories are never worn during an injury, recovery, or right after recovery. This is because they don’t offer as much support as braces.
Athletic activity is the main indication for wearing support. It can be any kind of physical activity, including school football players, volleyball, basketball, and more.
Ankle support is a softer aid compared to braces. It also allows larger ankle motion than braces.
Support accessories can be worn long-term, especially during physical activity.

Before you start looking for a product to buy, make sure to consult with an orthopedic surgeon.

It’s great to know the differences between the two types of aids, but still, you need a professional opinion to find an adequate accessory and design.

Check: Best AFO Boot Foot Drop

Types Of Ankle Braces

What Is The Difference Between Ankle Brace And Ankle Support (1)

There are several common types of braces that you should know about. The one you’ll have to wear depends on the severity of the injury, the recovery, and more.

We recently reviewed the best ankle brace for the elderly, so you can check out the top products and get a clearer picture.

#1 Rigid Brace

As the name suggests, rigid braces are made of a rigid material such as plastic that limits the range of movement. These braces are meant for people who are recovering from injuries and fractures.

Once the injury gets better, patients usually replace these braces with semi-rigid types.

#2 Hinged Ankle Brace

A hinged ankle brace isn’t the typical rigid brace. These aids are semi-rigid and prevent side-to-side ankle movements but don’t limit the up and down range of motion.

Hinged braces have hinges on each side that allow the aid to move together with the joint. They are meant to prevent ankle turning, low and high sprains.

#3 Lace-Up Brace

This is another type of brace that is semi-rigid and meant to prevent up, down, and side-to-side joint motions. Most lace-up braces can be worn inside shoes, so they are great for treating small to moderate injuries and sprains.

As the name suggests, these aids feature laces from the top to the bottom part, which you can use to adapt the tightness.

These are accessories that provide a lot of support, and there is a separate brace for the right and left ankle joint.

A recent study reveals that the use of lace-up ankle braces lowered the ankle injury rates among female and male high school basketball players. These braces did not reduce the severity of the injuries, though.

Another thing that the study mentions is that future studies should get more in-depth into using lace-up braces to prevent injuries to have a more complete picture and a more definitive answer.

#4 Ankle Sleeves

Ankle sleeves have a much lower level of protection compared to the previous two types because they’re made of a softer material.

The primary purpose of these sleeves is to help with inflammation, pain relief, weak ankles, arthritis, and more.

These braces compress the ankles to keep the area warm and allow a full ankle range of movements.

They don’t come in universal sizes, but you need to check the sizing chart and match it with your shoe size.

Benefits Of An Ankle Brace

Reduced Swelling

Compression braces help significantly with ankle swelling. These aids are meant to reduce the edema that appears right after an injury or during inflammation.

Lowering the swelling can speed up the recovery process and prevent new injuries.

Faster Recovery

When you put on the right ankle brace it will allow only the movements that your joint should be doing. If there are any movements that you shouldn’t do, such as a rotation, you will get a brace that prevents these movements.

These aids support the joints, offer control, help with swelling, pain, and prevent potential damage.

Improved Range Of Motion

The ankle brace will help your ankles recover the old range of motion. Although some types of braces limit certain movements, that’s meant to speed up the recovery.

FAQs

When Should You Wear An Ankle Brace?

An ankle brace is an aid that’s recommended after an ankle joint injury, during recovery, and shortly after recovery. Some of the most common ankle conditions that require a brace include strains, tendonitis, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, pain, and more.

What Is Ankle Support Used For?

Ankle support is used to prevent injuries, and it’s an accessory you can wear more often, especially during physical activity. It offers the lowest amount of support and doesn’t limit the range of movements.

Is It OK To Wear An Ankle Brace All Day?

These braces aren’t meant to be worn all day. If you’re using it as a recovery aid, you should wear it during daily activities.

Conclusion

Now that you got familiar with the difference between ankle support and braces, you can choose easily what type of aid is more suitable for your condition.

However, if you ever suspect an ankle injury, our advice is to get in touch with an orthopedic doctor and get the proper diagnosis.

A brace won’t always solve your problems, and you need much more extensive knowledge to choose the best design.

Also, the recovery often includes working with a physical therapist. In other words, it’s a much more complicated process than just getting a brace.

References:

Feger, Mark A, Luke Donovan, Joe M Hart, and Jay Hertel. 2014. “Effect of Ankle Braces on Lower Extremity Muscle Activation during Functional Exercises in Participants with Chronic Ankle Instability.” International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 9 (4): 476–87. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127510/.
“How Do Ankle Braces Work and What Are the Benefits of Ankle Brace?” 2019. Best Volleyball Shoes. March 21, 2019. https://provolleyballshoes.com/ankle-braces-benefits/.
“Lower Extremity Orthotics & AFO’s | Orthotic & Prosthetic Lab, Inc.” n.d. Www.oandplabinc.com. https://www.oandplabinc.com/lower-extremity-orthotics.html.
McGuine, Timothy A., Alison Brooks, and Scott Hetzel. 2011. “The Effect of Lace-up Ankle Braces on Injury Rates in High School Basketball Players.” The American Journal of Sports Medicine 39 (9): 1840–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546511406242.
“Types of Ankle Foot Orthosis – AFO Brace Types.” 2021. Scheck & Siress. February 1, 2021. https://www.scheckandsiress.com/blog/types-of-ankle-foot-orthosis/.
“Using AFO: What to Expect?” n.d. Align Clinic. Accessed June 15, 2021. https://www.align-clinic.com/blog/what-is-afo-and-how-does-it-impact-peoples-lives.

What Is The Difference Between Ankle Brace And Ankle Support (2)

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

An ankle brace and ankle support are two different aids used to protect the ankle joint health, but they serve different purposes. Let's dive into the differences between ankle braces and ankle supports.

Ankle Brace Vs Ankle Support

Ankle braces are typically worn during acute ankle injuries, such as lateral ankle sprains, mid-ankle sprains, acute instability, chronic instability, ankle pain, ankle surgery, and more. They are more rigid compared to ankle supports and limit ankle movements. Ankle braces should only be worn right after an injury, during recovery, and shortly after recovery. Wearing ankle braces long-term can potentially weaken the ankles [[1]].

On the other hand, ankle supports are used for the prevention of ankle injuries. They are softer aids compared to braces and allow for larger ankle motion. Ankle supports are mainly worn during physical activities, such as sports, to provide additional support to the ankle joint. They can be worn long-term, especially during physical activity [[1]].

Types Of Ankle Braces

There are several common types of ankle braces:

Rigid Brace: These braces are made of a rigid material, such as plastic, that limits the range of movement. They are typically used by people who are recovering from injuries and fractures. Once the injury improves, patients usually transition to semi-rigid braces [[1]].
Hinged Ankle Brace: Hinged ankle braces are semi-rigid and prevent side-to-side ankle movements while allowing up and down range of motion. They have hinges on each side that allow the brace to move together with the joint. Hinged braces are meant to prevent ankle turning and low and high sprains [[1]].
Lace-Up Brace: Lace-up braces are semi-rigid and designed to prevent up, down, and side-to-side joint motions. They can be worn inside shoes and are suitable for treating small to moderate injuries and sprains. Lace-up braces provide a lot of support and come in separate designs for the right and left ankle joint [[1]].
Ankle Sleeves: Ankle sleeves have a lower level of protection compared to other types of braces as they are made of a softer material. They primarily help with inflammation, pain relief, weak ankles, arthritis, and more. Ankle sleeves compress the ankles to keep the area warm and allow a full range of ankle movements. They come in different sizes based on shoe size [[1]].

Benefits Of An Ankle Brace

Ankle braces offer several benefits:

Reduced Swelling: Compression braces help reduce ankle swelling, which can speed up the recovery process and prevent new injuries [[1]].
Faster Recovery: Ankle braces provide support, control, and help with swelling and pain, allowing the joint to heal properly and potentially speeding up the recovery process [[1]].
Improved Range Of Motion: While some types of braces may limit certain movements, they are designed to help the ankle recover its old range of motion. Physical exercises are often recommended alongside the use of a brace to regain full movement [[1]].
Prevention of New Injuries: Ankle braces can also help prevent new injuries by supporting the joints and reducing the possibility of unwanted movements that could lead to further injury. This is particularly relevant for athletes who are prone to ankle injuries [[1]].

FAQs

When Should You Wear An Ankle Brace? An ankle brace is recommended after an ankle joint injury, during recovery, and shortly after recovery. It can be used for various ankle conditions such as strains, tendonitis, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and pain [[1]].
What Is Ankle Support Used For? Ankle support is used to prevent injuries, especially during physical activity. It offers a lower level of support compared to braces and does not limit the range of movements [[1]].
Is It OK To Wear An Ankle Brace All Day? Ankle braces are not meant to be worn all day. If you are using it as a recovery aid, you should wear it during daily activities [[1]].

In conclusion, ankle braces and ankle supports serve different purposes. Ankle braces are worn during acute ankle injuries and recovery, while ankle supports are used for injury prevention during physical activity. It's important to consult with an orthopedic surgeon to determine the most suitable accessory for your specific condition [[1]].