Ankle Brace Questions - Please help

[lacoster]

I am nursing a ruptured achilles tendon and am anxious to get back on the courts. I know I have to start wearing ankle braces from now on to minimize a re-rupture. My question is: do you guys have any experience with other ankle braces other than the ASO (Roddick brace) one on TW? It seems a little bulky and I want to look into others...I know not all pros use the ASO braces, so there must be others out there...I've seen Murray, Paradorn, and Mirza use other brands.

I'd like some insight on an ankle brace and: breathability, comfort, price, etc.

PS - I tore my achilles jumping backwards for a topspin overhead, heard a snap and screamed so loud that all everyone at the club stopped play and came to my court ...worst pain in my life...

 

[ximian]

I use Kallassy ankle braces and they're great. I've never really had ankle issues, but my mobility isn't limited and I feel more confident changing directions, etc. I think the Kallassy brace is similar to the ASO brace, but I don't find the Kallassy too bulky. Then again, I've never tried the ASO...

 

[goober]

standard ASO and similar braces are more for lateral support. The achilles support is not that great.

There are achilles-specific braces made by chopat, protec and others that give more direct support to the achilles tendon. Check out some of these: http://www.supportsusa.com/ankle/achillestendonitis/index.htm

 

[lacoster]

Thanks...being only 23 years old, the injury has pretty much sidelined the tennis for the rest of the year. My physio said it was unusual for someone my age to tear an achilles and thus asked to see the shoes I wore (I wear Nike Breathe III's). He said that it might have something to do with the hardness and shape of the vinyl on the back edge of the shoe (it hits/cuts into my ankle at times) and told me to switch shoes.

 

[TennisRackit]

Other Ankle Brace options

I really like these two Ankle Braces best.

For every day use I use the Aircast A60 (same one Murray uses):

http://www.betterbraces.com/ViewProducts/AircastA60AnkleSupport/168.aspx

For days when I want the extra stability and you might like the Velocity Ankle Brace as well

http://www.betterbraces.com/ViewProducts/DonJoyVelocityAnkleBrace/108.aspx

For your Achilles Tendon issue you might want to look at the DonJoy ALP.

http://www.betterbraces.com/ViewProducts/DonJoyALPPlusAnkleStabilizer/93.aspx

 

[AmericanTemplar]

While I'm currently using the ASO, before I was using a brace that I picked up at Walgreen's that was made by Ace. It was a fairly low cut neoprin brace that could be adjusted underneath the heel with velcro and was tightened at the top with a velcro strap. If I recall correctly, it only cost around $15 and it worked quite well. It actualy compressed the ankle better than the ASO does. The thing that sparked my interest in the ASO brace is that it is machine washable.

 

[federer envies me]

Thanks...being only 23 years old, the injury has pretty much sidelined the tennis for the rest of the year. My physio said it was unusual for someone my age to tear an achilles and thus asked to see the shoes I wore (I wear Nike Breathe III's). He said that it might have something to do with the hardness and shape of the vinyl on the back edge of the shoe (it hits/cuts into my ankle at times) and told me to switch shoes.

sorry about your injury man :sad:

 

[lacoster]

I see Hewitt wears Yonex ankle braces, any idea where I can buy them?

 

[AmericanTemplar]

I saw that Walgreens has the McDavid(I believe that's the name Mc"something") ankle brace that is just like the Aso on sale right now for $25. Looks pretty nice--American made, machine washable, etc.. Don't know about the Yonex brace though.

 

[lacoster]

I asked my Ortho. and Physio. the other day and they actually ordered me a Cho-pat Achilles brace and an Aircast Brace (the one that Murray wears). They were free (actually my insurance paid for it!).