Which ankle brace would you recommend for basketball?

[PistonsFan#21]

I sprained the same ankle 3 times in the last month playing ball and i think its time to invest in a ankle brace. Is there any brand you would recommend for basketball? Im planning on wearing it for a few weeks, until my ankle feels 100% stable.

[GIF REACTION]

How about you address your ankle instability with cleaning up your hip mobility compromising of hip extension, hip extension +External rotation and internal rotation, hip flexion, hip flexion +External rotation and internal rotation and ankle mobility in dorsi and plantar flexion motions and then address the lack of glute stabilization firing in both linear and lateral planes of movement?

[GIF REACTION]

An ankle brace is just going to **** you up even more in regards to your movement and force distribution among prime movers and key stabilizers, encouraging faulty movement patterns and mechanics. Limiting the ankle dorsi/plantar motion is going to have a rippledown effect on the knee, hip, back and shoulder... Lateral balance will also be compromised unless you plan to wear them on both ankles

Essentially a band aid solution

But if you're not that serious of an athlete, then go ahead

[PistonsFan#21]

An ankle brace is just going to **** you up even more in regards to your movement and force distribution among prime movers and key stabilizers, encouraging faulty movement patterns and mechanics. Limiting the ankle dorsi/plantar motion is going to have a rippledown effect on the knee, hip, back and shoulder... Lateral balance will also be compromised unless you plan to wear them on both ankles

Essentially a band aid solution

But if you're not that serious of an athlete, then go ahead

I usually dont have ankle problems but i landed on someones foot one game and i guess it didnt fully heal because it kept on getting reinjured. Thats why i said i only plan on wearing it for a few weeks during my basketball season until my ankle comes back to 100%.

I do lots of deadlift, squats, lunges, ab work and stretches after games and leg workouts. so i think my core is pretty strong. I dont do any direct hip stabilizing work though but i doubt thats the cause of my injuries

[bdreason]

Don't use a brace. If you want to wear something, use a compression sleeve. A brace is only going to weaken the ankle more, and it's not going to stop you from rolling it.


I use these; http://www.mcdavidusa.com/Product/6301/MCDAVID_Level_1_Dual_Compression%E2%84%A2_Ankle_Sl eeve.aspx

[SexSymbol]

Don't use a brace or anything. Strenghten it, because a brace just weakens your ankle

[CarlosBoozer]

No brace, strengthen your anklets

[Rake2204]

I think the ankle brace has a place. At certain times, after an injury for instance, I think the brace can help bridge the gap between the injury itself and recovering to full strength. There have been times where I've used a brace, not as a replacement for rehabilitation, but as something to help prevent a stupid injury relapse while I get everything back to full strength.

On the other hand, the last time I sprained my ankle, I rehabbed for a month until it felt beyond good and ready. No brace used. I sprained my ankle again within a week of my return. After that debacle (which turned into 2-3 months), I used one of the lace-up braces as I worked my way back a second time. Really bulky, but my ankle wasn't really going anywhere while I wore it. I actually couldn't wait to get rid of it as it felt as though it limited mobility but I suppose it did its job. My brother swears by that type of brace.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

I used to use something like this forhttp://www.backontrackproducts.com//images/products/239.JPG ankle braces in college. But I couldn't really play basketball in them because it would hurt even more. Often just rested it for 3-4 nights at an elevated angle while I slept with this brace on while I walk to class etc. Used to hurt a bit but provided better stability. Often wore my basketball shoes instead of my everyday shoes because of the great ankle support mine had. I remember getting 2-3 moderate ankle sprains while playing basketball, nothing too serious in college. Sometime when I was younger, I had a really bad sprain ankle and it was starting to turn black/blue. In that case, I had to spend about a week of that summer sitting around and watching TV waiting for it to get at least 50% better.

[PistonsFan#21]

To all you saying to stay away from ankle braces at all cost, you guys dont think that ankle braces can have their benefits for a while post injury?

I could see why it can be bad to use it as a method of injury prevention that you wear at all time but surely they were designed for a reason and can help out during the recovery phase. Like i said i was planning to do all the rehab and training exercises without a brace and just use it on game day once a week for the next 4 weeks when the season ends. Could it really weaken my ankle that much?

Doesn't Steph Curry plays with braces on because of all the sprains he was getting? Or was he already wearing them at the time of the injuries?

[PistonsFan#21]

I think the ankle brace has a place. At certain times, after an injury for instance, I think the brace can help bridge the gap between the injury itself and recovering to full strength. There have been times where I've used a brace, not as a replacement for rehabilitation, but as something to help prevent a stupid injury relapse while I get everything back to full strength.

On the other hand, the last time I sprained my ankle, I rehabbed for a month until it felt beyond good and ready. No brace used. I sprained my ankle again within a week of my return. After that debacle (which turned into 2-3 months), I used one of the lace-up braces as I worked my way back a second time. Really bulky, but my ankle wasn't really going anywhere while I wore it. I actually couldn't wait to get rid of it as it felt as though it limited mobility but I suppose it did its job. My brother swears by that type of brace.

Whats your overall take on it? How long did you use it for? Did you notice any weakness in your ankle after you stopped using the brace? And would you recommend using it or do you feel like you could have recovered and played just as well without it?

[Rake2204]

Whats your overall take on it? How long did you use it for? Did you notice any weakness in your ankle after you stopped using the brace? And would you recommend using it or do you feel like you could have recovered and played just as well without it?I think it has its place, just as you mentioned. As you acknowledged, it's not a substitute for ankle strength, but from what I've experienced and read, it's not at all far-fetched to believe it helps bridge the gap in terms of providing additional stability while one fully rehabilitates.

I've used ankle braces at various points throughout my life and they seem to do the job. I didn't notice any weakness in my ankle following. Again, often I rehabbed my ankle to a certain point then used the brace as a supplement.

That said, I was stubborn about the lack of mobility I had while wearing them so the last time, as I said, I just rehabbed, felt great, and came back without a brace. I rolled my ankle again very quickly. It was awful. The next time around, I finally rocked a brace for a week or two, it probably helped from a physical and mental aspect.

As for how I play, I have a lot more mobility without a brace, so I eventually ditched it and took a chance. My older brother had some ankle issues a few years ago though and I think he still wears a brace, just as a precaution. He seems just as mobile and agile as ever.

Even though I'm not a fan of braces, going through this convinced me to give them a shot pretty quickly. The first one:

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g423/Rake2204/198b5668-c961-4880-9a90-e893dc6bebc3.jpg

Then the second (the two pics below are from around August 10, 2013, having rolled it again after six to seven weeks of recovering from the first sprain):

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g423/Rake2204/3ef056e0-3de6-4301-b61a-0262acfffc29.jpg

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g423/Rake2204/975d63ba-cfdd-41bf-853b-d7937faaaebc.jpg

[DeuceWallaces]

To all you saying to stay away from ankle braces at all cost, you guys dont think that ankle braces can have their benefits for a while post injury?

I could see why it can be bad to use it as a method of injury prevention that you wear at all time but surely they were designed for a reason and can help out during the recovery phase. Like i said i was planning to do all the rehab and training exercises without a brace and just use it on game day once a week for the next 4 weeks when the season ends. Could it really weaken my ankle that much?

Doesn't Steph Curry plays with braces on because of all the sprains he was getting? Or was he already wearing them at the time of the injuries?

How about you go see a physician instead of taking advice from a bunch of 19 year old morons on a website?

I have a feeling the orthopedic doctor will tell you to stay off it, ice, and use a supportive brace as you rehab. Not, toughen up bitch.

Bauerfeind makes the best braces if you can afford them.

[GIF REACTION]

You're a moron deuce

You've listened to your physician in regards to your athletic endeavors and look where that's got you... Right back on the bed getting more knee surgery

Doctors lack the knowledge of movement application and function to sports. They know the what but they 99% of the time don't know the how or why.

Let's state the obvious here guys. An ankle sprain is not that serious. Repetitive rolling of the ankle is a big ass signal telling you something is very off with your movement and function. Strength and conditioning coaches are majority of the time, a lot better for regards to these situations then physicians and doctors. I mean a real S&C coach. Physios can be good but most of the time they treat the symptoms and not go after the root cause which is clearly movement dysfunction.

There have been so many times where I have read or heard about someone being told my doctors they will never play this again or they will never regain full function... The truth is they really don't know.

Essentially my first post is what you need to do if you really take this seriously.. You have to address this movement dysfunction soon because this is how you tear an ACL or rip up your knee. In the NFL draft they check the athletes foot arch because flat feet (which is a sign of movement dysfunction) because it is a predisposition to ACL tears, knee problems. Take advice from someone who actually knows that they are talking about. The human body is capable that alot more than you realize. Just look at how Bulgarian weightlifters train.

[DeuceWallaces]

The only truth is that your a ****ing clueless moron/message board troll.

I'll stick to my orthopedic surgeon's advice.

[GIF REACTION]

Says the guy who's torn 2 ACL's and an MCL

You are the last person who should have an opinion in this thread

[Rake2204]

Let's state the obvious here guys. An ankle sprain is not that serious. Repetitive rolling of the ankle is a big ass signal telling you something is very off with your movement and function. Strength and conditioning coaches are majority of the time, a lot better for regards to these situations then physicians and doctors. I mean a real S&C coach. Physios can be good but most of the time they treat the symptoms and not go after the root cause which is clearly movement dysfunction.I think ankle sprains can be a sign something's wrong with movement or function. However, a number of ankle injuries seem to have very little to do with poor function. In fact, the majority of my ankle injuries have been a result of things out of my control.

My most recent injury was sustained while airborne and landing on another player's foot. I've landed on feet before and it's been all good but sometimes, an ankle is going to sprain whether you've built them up to be as tough and flexible as concrete or not.

In terms of severity, a sprained ankle on a basketball player usually isn't a career-killer but it can be one of the more relatively serious non-knee injuries in the sport, just in terms of it negatively affecting one of the primary and key forms of function when it comes to performing. Many people underestimate their severity (myself two years ago) and full recovery can be a bit of a fiasco.

[GIF REACTION]

Your orthopedic surgeon is making bank off you LMAO

[Levity]

ankle strengthening exercises are the way to go. but if you are fearful of rolling your ankle every time you play, get a pair of ektios. i swear by them, but oddly enough, dont wear them anymore, thanks to ankle strengthening exercises. This is coming from a guy with 17+ years of ankle injuries, thanks to years and years of skateboarding

[GIF REACTION]

I think ankle sprains can be a sign something's wrong with movement or function. However, a number of ankle injuries seem to have very little to do with poor function. In fact, the majority of my ankle injuries have been a result of things out of my control.

My most recent injury was sustained while airborne and landing on another player's foot. I've landed on feet before and it's been all good but sometimes, an ankle is going to sprain whether you've built them up to be as tough and flexible as concrete or not.

In terms of severity, a sprained ankle on a basketball player usually isn't a career-killer but it can be one of the more relatively serious non-knee injuries in the sport, just in terms of it negatively affecting one of the primary and key forms of function when it comes to performing. Many people underestimate their severity (myself two years ago) and full recovery can be a bit of a fiasco.
Once again, as I said; REPETITIVE ankle sprains.

That is a clear indication of poor movement.

Ankle sprains are not that serious. Of course every injury has levels of severity but an ankle sprain implies there is no structural ligament damage. It is usually simply iced off and rested for a period of time. What really ****s people up is they screw their movement and mobility up after an ankle sprain, which is the precursor all and any injury.

[Rake2204]

Once again, as I said; REPETITIVE ankle sprains.

That is a clear indication of poor movement.

Ankle sprains are not that serious. Of course every injury has levels of severity but an ankle sprain implies there is no structural ligament damage. It is usually simply iced off and rested for a period of time. What really ****s people up is they screw their movement and mobility up after an ankle sprain, which is the precursor all and any injury.Ah, yep, totally missed the "repetitive" portion. My bad there.

That said, I feel many repetitive sprain situations (using myself as an example once again) may be a result of simply re-injuring an ankle that hadn't yet fully healed from the random event that created the initial injury in the first place. If a guy is randomly rolling his ankle while running, fully healing, then randomly rolling it during a standard cut, etc., then I could see there being a problem in terms of function. However, I did not get that feeling that's what we were dealing with here.

Also, what do we mean by no structural ligament damage? As in, surgery is usually not required to fix it? Because by definition, a sprain is the partial or full tear of ligaments. I assumed that would be the same as structural ligament damage but I admit my ignorance in that regard.

In terms of severity, I suppose it's all relative, but some of my sprains over the past 20 years have been on par in terms of pain and duration of recovery with some of the bones I've broken and tendons I've ruptured. I mean, I've had some sprains that have kept me out of action for a couple days, but the real deal sprains can wreak some havoc.

[DeuceWallaces]

Says the guy who's torn 2 ACL's and an MCL

You are the last person who should have an opinion in this thread

Yeah, someone with 2 successful ACL reconstructions followed by 19 years of injury free physical activity has no place in this thread.

Take the L. Move on.

[DeuceWallaces]

Your orthopedic surgeon is making bank off you LMAO

When you finally get a job, you'll have this thing called health insurance which covers nearly all the costs of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

It's pretty cool.

[GIF REACTION]

Having an ACL reconstruction ISN'T A GOOD THING. The fact that you managed to tear both of them AND an MCL and the fact you have never been a high level athlete at any point in your life just tells me how shit you move

It's like asking driving advice from someone who gets totaled all the time

[DeuceWallaces]

1) That makes no sense.

2) I doubt you've played anything more than a pickup game, because you come off as a clueless ignorant asshole.