How to choose the right ankle support for your condition

Ankle conditions and injuries are common across all age groups and can be caused by acute trauma such as falling or twisting awkwardly during sports or daily activities. Chronic degeneration in this area can also cause painful ankle conditions.

Some of the most common foot and ankle conditions are: 

• Ankle sprains
• Chronic ankle instability
• Ankle arthritis
• Achilles tendonitis

If you are dealing with pain, stiffness or swelling around the ankle, your doctor or a medical professional may recommend treating the condition with the RICE technique first (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). Learn more about the RICE technique and other ways to care for your sprain here.

Keep reading to discover more about treatment for different ankle conditions, including advice on how to choose the right ankle support.

Ankle supports and ankle braces can be used in a variety of situations, and there are different types you can choose from to suit your condition. They range from simple sleeves to wrap-arounds to products with stabilising rigid support. The main difference between the product types is the degree of ankle movement limitation.  

If you are experiencing pain, an ankle support can help you go about your daily tasks more comfortably. You may want to use a brace or support while exercising or playing sports to prevent re-injury after a recovery period. For example, a device such as Actimove Sports Edition Ankle Support Elastic Wrap Around can help protect your joint from further damage or injury. The wrap-around design features a durable slim fit material that provides adjustable support, making it perfect for protecting your ankle while staying active. 

If you often experience ankle pain from arthritis, tendonitis or just general pain, an ankle sleeve can provide a good level of protection and compression. Compression is good for sore ankles, as it soothes and aids pain relief. Ankle supports can also be worn as a preventative measure to protect the ankle from repeat injuries.  

The amount of time you’ll need to wear your ankle support will depend on your specific condition. It’s best to speak to a doctor or medical professional who will be able to give you all the information you need on when and how long to wear your ankle support for. 

A sprained ankle happens when you injure one or more ligaments in the ankle. Ligaments are bands of soft tissue that connect one bone to another bone, binding the joints together. Ligaments in the ankle joint keep the bones in a correct position and provide stability. Spraining your ankle can be painful and prevent you from taking part in daily activities and sports. 

Ankle sprains vary in severity. In minor cases when the ligament is overstretched, you’ll experience mild pain. The pain will be worse if the ligament is partially torn or completely torn, or if there is more than one ligament involved in the sprain.  

It’s important to note that ankle sprains are different from ankle strains. Strains affect muscles rather than ligaments.

Symptoms of a sprained ankle include: 

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Soreness
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Difficulty walking

If you suspect you have a sprained ankle, speak to a doctor who will be able to confirm the diagnosis.

Chronic ankle instability may develop after repeated ankle sprains. Your ankle may give way while walking or being active, but it can also happen when you’re standing still. The symptoms of chronic ankle instability include: 

• Persistent discomfort
• Pain, tenderness or swelling of the ankle 
• The ankle feeling wobbly or unstable 

If you are experiencing chronic ankle instability, speak to a doctor or medical professional about treatment or exercises to strengthen your ankle. You may benefit from using an ankle support such as Actimove Everyday Supports Ankle Support to give you reliable support for everyday mobility and it can help prevent re-injury. Its special helix design helps you position the support securely and comfortably.

If you are experiencing chronic ankle instability, speak to a doctor or medical professional about treatment or exercises to strengthen your ankle. You may benefit from using an ankle support such as Actimove Everyday Supports Ankle Support to give you reliable support for everyday mobility and it can help prevent re-injury. Its special helix design helps you position the support securely and comfortably.

Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation, pain and stiffness in the joints. There are over 100 different types of arthritis that may affect the small joints of the foot and ankle. The major types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis: a ‘wear-and-tear’ disorder that causes the cartilage in the joint to degenerate
• Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its tissues
• Posttraumatic arthritis: similar to osteoarthritis, this condition can develop after an injury to the foot or ankle.

Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options available helping to slow the progress of the disease and relieve symptoms. Actimove Arthritis Care Ankle Support is specially designed for pain relief from arthritis in the ankle. Arthritis pain can be limiting and can affect our confidence in the strength of our joints. The Arthritis Care Ankle Support aims to help relieve arthritis pain through the warming effect of special ceramic fibres.

Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that happens when the Achilles tendon becomes swollen or inflamed. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and is used for walking, running, jumping, and climbing. The Achilles tendon is robust but is prone to tendonitis through overuse. You can develop Achilles tendinitis through intense exercise, which can cause inflammation. Symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:

• Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon that worsens with activity
• Severe pain in the area after exercise
• Swelling
• Pain in the heel when you stretch or when you wear shoes

In most cases of Achilles tendinitis, non-surgical treatment options will provide adequate pain relief, although it may take a few months for symptoms to completely subside.