If you have recently suffered an ankle injury, or are trying to prevent one, then you will know about the importance of an ankle support. This is the best way to help protect your ankle from impact-related sports such as running or football.
Ankles are one of the weaker joints in the body and they bear a very high load during physical activity. Injuring the bones, joints, muscles or ligaments can severely impact your mobility, which is why it is so important to wear your ankle support correctly.
Do ankle supports work?
Research has shown that they help prevent acute ankle injuries such as sprains. Acute ankle injury is the most common injury and frequent ankle twisting can lead to chronic ligament instability.
They help prevent the ankle rolling at an angle, which can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles and tendons (these enable the ankle to function at an optimal level).
So ankle supports provide stabilisation to relieve pain associated with sprains, chronic instability and symptoms of ankle overuse. These products can offer support to help relieve the pain associated with ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, ligament damage.
How to put on an ankle support
Putting on the ankle support is a very simple process, but it is vital to wear it correctly to ensure you get the full protection from any potential new or re-occurring injuries. You can follow the step-by-step process or video below of how to put on the Elastoplast Performance Ankle Support.
- Ensure the smooth side faces inwards and place foot sole on the support. Position it so that the longer of the side of the strap faces outwards from the foot
- Cross support left over the foot and short side right towards the arch forming a loop. Then attach the shorter strap
- Wrap the longer side of the strap all around the ankle adjusting the tension to the desired comfort and support.
Can you sleep with an ankle support on?
Do not sleep with the ankle support on. If the injury has caused swelling then it is best to put it on when you wake up and then take off before you go to sleep.
Should you wear an ankle support for a sprained ankle?
This may depend on the severity of the sprain. For severe sprains, the ankle needs to be immobilised in order to allow the ligaments to fully heal. However for milder sprains, putting an ankle support on when you wake up and taking it off before you go to sleep is a great way to care for the injury. This also lowers the risk of aggravating it further.
