To use a brace or tape?

A popular question without a simple answer. The answer is, it depends.

Most soccer players feel they can’t fit a brace into their soccer cleat, it is just too tight.

Volleyball players tend to wear stir-up braces like an Active Ankle. Is it enough?

Sometimes the answer boils down to what is available and what will the athlete use?

Early morning practices, travel and rec sports, and out of season sports tend to limit access to an athletic trainer who can adequately tape an ankle, which is a vote for using a brace.

A brace should be a quality brace and restrict motion, like an ASO brace or Ultra brace.

Inability to wear proper footwear, intolerance to the brace based on comfort, and sport demand are votes for ankle tape.

Both bracing and taping will not prevent future ankle injuries, but can provide a structural support. There is no evidence that bracing or taping will prevent an ankle injury, but rather it can reduce the recurrence of injury, along with a properly rehabbed ankle before return to sports.

This is why it is so important that the ankle be adequately strengthened and stressed through the recovery period to prepare it for return to sport.

Taping an ankle

It takes practice to be able to properly tape and ankle that provides adequate support and doesn’t cause blisters.

I have created a video showing a modified way to tape and ankle that parents can do with just a few supplies and reduces the risk of blisters. You can read more about how a parent can tape an ankle in this post.

A study done at Indiana University showed that using a self-adherent prewrap (Powerflex), rather than the more commonly used foam prewrap, maintained the same amount of restricted motion at the time of application and after a 30 minute intense workout. That is something to consider when also considering an ankle tape over using a brace.

How long to wear a brace or tape?

Continuing to suffer lateral ankle sprains and having an unstable ankle may lead to surgery to reconstruct the lateral ligament down the road, as a loose ankle can lead to arthritis over time.

For an ankle that was stable at the time of injury (Grade I), a brace or tape should be done for 3-6 months following the injury.

For an ankle that was unstable at the time of injury (Grade II or III), a brace or tape should be used for a year after the injury. While bracing and taping will not prevent an ankle sprain, it can reduce the severity of subsequent injuries.

What questions do you have about support after an ankle sprain or about bracing versus taping? Leave them in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: This post is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient relationship with me. I’m not liable or responsible for any damages related to your use of this information. Information given is a generality of athletic injuries and treatments and is not meant to replace traditional medical advice. Please consult a physician for proper care.