Ankle sprains are one of the most common basketball injuries, as the cutting, jumping and high-impact motions that you have to make during a game can lead to incidents where you roll your ankle. Medical News Today says that women are at a higher risk for ankle sprains than men, and a history of ankle injuries makes your chance of re-aggravating a past injury much greater.
Mild Support
Mild support may help prevent first-degree sprains, the least severe type of ankle sprain that occurs when you strain the ligaments in your ankle to a point where there is some stiffness and swelling, but not to a point where you cannot bear weight. A nonrigid brace, such as a neoprene sleeve, helps prevent the ankle from swelling, and is not too restrictive or expensive.
Moderate Support
Second-degree sprains involve stretching and some tearing of the ankle tendons, resulting in swelling and bruising, reducing your ability to bear weight or use the full range of motion of the joint. The best type of ankle brace for this type of sprain is a semi-rigid brace that you lace up and have straps to hold the ankle in place. This brace type helps to control swelling just like a flexible brace, but offers a better level of support and injury prevention.
Maximum Support
The most devastating type of ankle sprain is the third-degree sprain, in which the ankle ligaments have completely torn or ruptured from the bone. This involves a much more severe swelling, bruising and instability. You may also need crutches for a number of weeks as you probably may not be able to bear any weight on the ankle. These sprains are best served with a rigid brace that has padding reinforced with plastic, which may limit your range of motion but give you better support and faster healing.
Taping
Many athletes tape their ankles to help prevent and treat ankle injuries. You can also tape your ankles in addition to wearing an ankle brace, or use tape in place of some sort of added support. Taping helps to prevent the ankle from rolling involuntarily, much like braces do, but with a more customized fit. The disadvantages of taping is that it can be costly to constantly buy rolls of tape.
References
- American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society: Study Finds Use of Ankle Brace Helps Prevent Ankle Injuries in Female Athletes
- Medical News Today: Preventing Ankle Injuries In Basketball Players
- "Journal of Athletic Training"; Biomechanical and Neuromuscular Effects of Ankle Taping and Bracing; Gary B. Wilkerson; Oct--Dec 2002
- Best Basketball Tips: Basketball Ankle Braces
- Better Basketball: Ankle Supports for the Basketball Player
- OrthoAthletic: Ankle Braces for Sprained Ankle Pain and Ankle Injuries
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