By Dave Regis
We will all at some stage experience a sprained ankle, whether from playing sport, slipping on a wet floor or landing awkwardly. Regardless of its origin, the most important thing to focus on is your to ensure you are able to come back stronger than before.
In the immediate aftermath of an injury you should cease your activity and rest, protecting the joint from subsequent injury. This can be achieved by elevating it above the heart to reduce any inflammation or if you have to be active then using an ankle support or a foot support to protect the area from subsequent injury.
Ankle Injuries
An injury to the ankle occurs where the ligaments within the joint are damaged, affecting the stability of the joint and overall mobility of a patient. Ligaments are the tough bands of tissues connecting the bones within a joint and are responsible for its stabilisation, allowing you to walk, run and jump.
An ankle injury can be graded by its severity, with each grade resulting in a lengthier recovery period. The most common form is a grade one which is largely self-limiting and described as a minor sprain or strain. Whilst it may be painful a few days rest using ice to help manage the inflammation and you should make a full recovery.
In more serious examples a grade three may require surgery to rectify the damaged ligament, which in turn will require a lengthy recovery period. Professional sportsmen can have their careers ended from ankle ligament damage, requiring intensive physiotherapy to rebuild strength in the affected joint before they are able to recommence training and competing.
Ankle Support
An ankle support is typically worn post injury, rather than as a preventative measure. There are different designs available on the market depending on the nature of the condition you wish to manage, from a sprained ankle to ligament damage. An ankle support can be further categorised as one which can be worn during an activity and one which restricts movement in order to provide maximum protection.
A sports brace allows a patient to continue an activity following an injury, designed to offer compression to the affected area which can help to reduce inflammation and pain. For more serious injuries there are braces available which act as external ligaments to the joint, offering the patient a greater level of stability in their joint.
For a greater degree of protection a rigid ankle support or stirrup brace may be employed, with the sole purpose of stabilising the joint and preventing any unnatural movements i.e. rolling and causing further ligament damage. The additional support offered can aid with patients mobility during their recovery period.
Foot Support
A foot support differs from that of an ankle support as it protects a greater area and is typically rigid in design. It can also be referred to as a boot with products like the Rebound Air Walker Boot available on the market and typically prescribed by a hospital or clinic following injury. These are designed to offer protection from a variety of injuries, post surgery or something simple as a sprain.
The rigid shell design protects against impact damage whilst still allowing the foot to breathe. The objective is to also immobile the foot and ankle from unnecessary movement whilst still allowing the patient to remain mobile, with the patient being able to inflate the inner area of the boot for a closer fit.
Recently, actress Sheridan Smith was spotted wearing the Rebound Air Walker Boot following a suspected sprained ankle after visiting the Noel Coward Theatre. With her current role in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream a fast recovery will be essential in being able to fulfil her role, with a foot support perfect as part of her rehabilitation programme.
If you are unsure as to the extent of an injury or which ankle support or foot support is right for you it is advisable to seek a professional diagnosis. A doctor or clinician will be able to assess the damage caused and offer a recovery plan, whether advising rest, the use of a sports brace or physio sessions to rebuild strength in the affected area.
About the Author
Dave Regis discusses the use of orthotics for the management of sports injuries, reviewing injury rehabilitation through exercise and the use of bracing and supports. He writes articles focussing on the use of an ankle support and other methods of rehabilitation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Regis
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