One or two ankle braces?

[wbender99]

Rolled my right ankle badly on Monday (heard a crack but X-ray shows no fracture ) and bought two ASO ankle braces. Wondering if I should wear it just on the injured ankle, which I rolled several years ago also, or both ankles? The other one I’ve never had a problem with. I’ve seen players wearing one and two ... Nishikori, Murray etc.

 

[McLovin]

After years of rolling my ankles, either while playing tennis, soccer, or hiking, I threw in the towel and started wearing braces on both ankles when doing any sport that involves running & cutting. While they don't prevent an ankle roll, they definitely reduce the severity of one.

There were people throwing around allegations that wearing them all the time would weaken your ankles, but there is no evidence to support that theory. Sure, you immobilize your ankles for a few days and the muscles will begin to atrophy, but you're not wearing them 24 hours a day, only when doing exercise that risks an ankle roll.

The only draw back is finding a pair of shoes that are wide enough to accommodate the added girth of the braces. I've found the Cage series and Barricade to be perfect (although I don't like the fit of the Barricades in general). The Gel Res 7s are a close 2nd, but I guess this all depends on the size of your feet.

 

[mmk]

+1, I wear them on both feet even though I only severely rolled my right ankle. I think I'd feel lopsided without both. And I do fit the ASOs in my GR7s, and in my Speed Solutions for clay.

 

[wbender99]

Thanks guys. Yeah Andy Murray doesn’t seem to have atrophied much. I have Asics that are cut pretty low (my one complaint) so these should work good.

 

[rogerroger917]

You only wear braces when you play tennis. Most of your life is without ankle braces. I would not worry about atrophy. Lol.

 

[borna coric]

The Aircast A60 is used by Andy Murray and IMHO, it is one of the best ankle braces out there. My son had ankle hairline fracture that required surgery. The orthopedist surgeon recommended that he wears ankle braces on both right and left ankle from now on WITHOUT exception when he plays tennis. The same for my daughter even she never has any ankle problem. This surgeon also said that the ankle will not eliminate ankle injury altogether but it will definitely prevent a severe ankle injury. He also recommended the Aircast A60.

 

[rogerroger917]

My kid wears a60 on both ankles for 3 years now everytime he plays tennis. Saved his ankle a couple times already.

 

[travlerajm]

I’m a fan of the aircast when I need to recover from any ankle injury. None of the other braces come close for combination of comfort, forward mobility, and lateral stability.

 

[PBODY99]

I carry both in my bag just in case. Generally only wear the left as it is the side I roll the most.