Ankle brace

What is an ankle brace?

An ankle orthosis is a medical aid that supports the stability of the joint between the lower leg and foot.

It is most often required after an ankle twist and the resulting ligament injury so that the orthosis can be healed by wearing the orthosis. An ankle orthosis usually consists of two shells made of plastic, which surround the joint from the outside, as well as various straps to put it on individually.

What do you need an ankle orthosis for?

Ultimately, the ankle joints have to cushion the entire body weight with every step and are therefore exposed to great stress. A complex apparatus made up of tendons, ligaments and muscles enables the stability of the joint with the mobility and flexibility required at the same time. An ankle orthosis is especially needed when an injury leads to damage to these structures and joint stability is impaired.

A common indication for the orthosis is therefore, for example, if you twist your foot during sport or in everyday life. The lateral ligaments at the ankle are often overstretched, which corresponds to a sprain. In the case of more severe injuries, the ligaments can even tear or a bone fracture occurs.

Depending on the extent of the injury and the structures involved, treatment with an ankle orthosis alone may be indicated or surgery may first be required. Usually, however, an orthosis is also prescribed for further treatment after an operation. This prevents you from twisting your foot again and thus ensures that the damaged structures can heal.

This article might also interest you: Ankle bandage

Ankle orthosis for a torn ligament

The ankle is held in place by various ligaments that can tear if injured. If you stand on the outer edge of the foot and bend inward, the ligaments on the outside of the joint that run from the outer ankle to the tarsal bones are usually affected. In the rare case of the reverse course of injury, i.e. an outward twisting of the foot, the ligaments that run from the medial ankle to the tarsus can tear.
In both cases, immobilization and treatment with an ankle orthosis can be used if necessary. This enables the band structures to grow together again. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to sew the ribbons together first. An ankle orthosis usually still has to be worn until the ligaments have healed and the joint is fully resilient again.

Are you interested in this topic? You can find out more about this at: Torn ligament at the ankle

What different ankle orthoses are there?

In the case of ankle orthoses, there are differences in the structure and the material used and in the quality. Simple orthoses can be purchased in sports shops, for example. Professional ankle orthoses, on the other hand, are usually only available in a medical supply store. In terms of construction, a distinction can be made between rigid, semi-rigid and flexible orthotics. The rigid variants usually consist of two splints that surround and fix the ankle laterally. These are tightened with bands or straps. This prevents any movement in the ankle except for flexing and stretching, i.e. lowering and lifting the foot. Rigid ankle orthoses are necessary after recent ligamentous injuries.
Semi-rigid orthoses, on the other hand, resemble a kind of stocking that is pulled over the foot and lower leg and tied up. On the one hand, this provides greater mobility and, on the other hand, it supports stability. This type of ankle orthosis is used, for example, by athletes who want to carefully resume training after a healed injury.

How does an orthosis work?

An ankle orthosis surrounds the joint and fits snugly there. It has a stabilizing effect due to its solid elements. This relieves the ligaments of the joint and protects against incorrect movements and, if necessary, alleviates pain. The movements in the joint are guided by the orthosis and prevent it from breaking out when moving.
Compared to, for example, a bandage (ankle bandage), orthotics therefore limit the freedom of action in favor of greater stability. A plaster of paris, on the other hand, achieves maximum stability but prevents any mobility. The ankle orthosis therefore offers a good compromise between mobility and stability and is therefore often used.

Find out more about the topic: Orthotics

How do I put on an ankle orthosis correctly?

When putting on an ankle orthosis, care must be taken to ensure that it sits comfortably but still firmly surrounds the joint. Various settings can be made depending on the model. First of all, the heel pad should be adjusted with the help of the Velcro so that the side parts adapt well to the joint. All other fasteners and straps should also be open and loose. Then the ankle orthosis is put on.
The foot should I be in a 90 degree position. The foot is placed in the middle. Now all Velcro straps are tightened alternately. First loosely and then a little tighter. Ultimately, the ankle brace should fit tightly without applying too much pressure. If the orthosis slips, it is either too loose or the fit is unsuitable. If it presses or if there is discomfort in the foot, it is too firm. Anyone who has difficulties putting on the ankle orthosis can, for example, seek help from a medical supply store.

This article may also be of interest to you: Sprained foot - causes, therapy & prognosis

Should I also wear an orthosis at night?

An orthosis for the ankle does not always have to be worn at night.If the ligaments have recently been injured, it may initially make sense to wear the orthosis at night so that there is no further injury due to movement while sleeping. This is especially true when the joint is very unstable. In the case of minor injuries or if healing has already started, you may not need to wear the orthosis at night.
In some cases it is even advisable to give the ankle more space at night by not wearing the orthosis. This is simplified when the joint is stable but not yet fully loadable. Therefore, it cannot generally be said whether an orthosis for the ankle should also be worn at night. It is a case-by-case decision that should be made in consultation with the attending physician.

How long should I wear an ankle prosthesis?

How long an ankle orthosis should be worn depends on the one hand on the extent of the injury that made it necessary to wear the orthosis and on the other hand on the time it takes for the joint to heal. If you only slightly sprained your foot when twisting your ankle without the ligament tearing, you may be able to carefully try again after a few days to walk without the orthosis.

In the event of a torn ligament or other major injuries, however, it may be necessary to wear the orthosis for several weeks. If the ankle is suffering from wear and tear (osteoarthritis), it is even indicated in some cases to use the orthosis for a long time. The doctor who prescribes the brace will determine how long it should be worn. If necessary, the recommendation will be adjusted during the healing process. It can also make sense to initially only temporarily do without the orthosis after the stability of the ankle joint has been restored, in order to avoid renewed overload.

You can find detailed information on this topic at: Duration of a sprain

What should you watch out for when wearing?

When wearing an ankle orthosis, it is important to ensure that it fits well. It should be firm enough to give the joint stability and it cannot slip. However, the orthosis must not be so tight that it causes pain and discomfort in the foot due to pinched nerves.
In addition, the specifications agreed with the doctor about the wearing time and the wearing period should be observed. If wearing the ankle orthosis causes difficulties or if you are unsure how to use it, you should get help at an early stage. In addition to the attending doctor, you can usually get advice from a medical supply store.

Can I also wear an ankle orthosis in my shoes?

In general, an ankle orthosis can also be worn in a shoe. The prerequisite for this is that the shoe surrounds the orthosis and stability is guaranteed. However, the shoe should not be so tight that it exerts additional pressure on the orthosis. As a rule, no special shoe is required for this.
However, there are orthotic shoes that are specially designed to surround the foot that has been fitted with an orthosis. Purchasing such shoes can be considered if the ankle orthosis is likely to have to be worn over a long period of time.

Also read the article: The orthotic shoes.

Can I use it to drive?

In principle, you can also drive a car with an orthosis on the ankle. However, it must be ensured that this does not represent a restriction when driving the vehicle. In addition, stepping on the pedals puts stress on the joint. You should therefore only drive a car again when a longer distance can be walked painlessly. If the left leg is affected and the car has an automatic transmission, there are no restrictions on driving.

How much does an ankle orthosis cost?

An ankle orthosis usually costs between € 20 and € 70, depending on the provider and quality. Orthoses are often cheaper in a sports shop. Despite the higher price, only a professional orthosis from a medical supply store should be used for serious ankle injuries. The largest part of the costs can usually be covered by the health insurance company if there is medical justification, so that the costs to be borne by yourself are then even lower with an ankle orthosis from the medical supply store.

Next article might also be helpful for you: Torn ligament on the foot

Does the health insurance pay for that?

If there is medical justification based on a diagnosed injury, a doctor can prescribe an ankle brace as an aid on a prescription. Both statutory and private health insurances then cover a large part of the costs. Usually, however, a small additional payment is required.