Support Where It’s Needed: Volleyball Ankle Braces

Any volleyball player knows how hard the sport can be on your ankles.

We take a look at ankle support or braces for volleyball and how they can help you.

If you’re an avid volleyball player, you have probably dealt with sore ankles from time to time.

It’s no secret that playing volleyball can cause a lot of strain on your ankles. Injuries to the ankle are the most common volleyball injury, and lead to the most lost playing time.

But what’s a player to do?

You certainly aren’t going to give up the sport you love.

Let’s take a look at how volleyball ankle braces can ease the pain and give you that added support you need.

Who Needs A Brace?

Many people are under the misconception that ankle braces for volleyball are just for after you’ve been injured.

While that’s a good time to use them, there are plenty of other opportunities to take advantage of a quality ankle brace for volleyball.

Braces can help prevent injury, especially if you have sprained an ankle before.

In a randomized trial of athletes with a recent sprain, 15% of those who wore a brace for a year sprained the ankle again, compared with 27% of those who did balance training alone. The evidence is weaker for players who have never been injured.

These aren’t braces you’ll want to wear all the time, but they work well for practice and games.

Ankle sprains are among the most common volleyball injuries, and a brace helps limit that dreaded rolling movement.

If you’ve been injured and want to continue your favorite sport, you’ll want to look for ankle braces in volleyball that also have air pockets or cushioning on the sides.

This can add comfort and help protect the ankle while it recovers.

Let’s Look at Different Styles Available

When you’re shopping for the best ankle brace for volleyball, you’ll have several different varieties to look at.

Sock Models

You’ll find the easy to use sock models. These are the simplest support to use, as they slide on just like your sock.

These are great to use for a short time, but you might notice some wear on them after prolonged use.

If you need something more durable, one of the other styles might be more effective for you as a volleyball ankle brace.

Mechanical Model

A mechanical model is best if you’re in need of a strap on the support that secures itself under the foot.

Normally these models also include the padding that I talked about above, making it the perfect option if you’re already nursing an injury.

If you’re recovering from an injury, ask your clinician whether to wear a brace for everyday activity as well as volleyball.

Something to consider when looking for the best ankle braces for volleyball in a mechanical model is that these won’t be as comfortable as your sock model.

When looking for comfort and ease of mobility, this wouldn’t be your first choice.

If You’re Dealing With An Injury

If you have a fresh sprain, take a break from volleyball until it heals. Firstly, rest and protect the ankle.

Those painful tissues need time to heal. If walking hurts, a clinician may suggest crutches to keep weight off the ankle.

Secondly, use ice to reduce pain and swelling, for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours in the first few days, per the NHS. Compression can also help control swelling.

Both styles of volleyball ankle braces that I mentioned above will provide that for you.

The third thing you will want to do is elevate your ankle as often as you can.

Keeping the injured ankle above the heart is going to reduce the swelling you’re experiencing even more.

An over-the-counter pain reliever may help; ask a pharmacist which one is right for you.

Most sprains feel better in about 2 weeks, but the NHS advises avoiding strenuous exercise for up to 8 weeks, and severe sprains can take months.

See a doctor if you can’t put weight on the ankle, the pain or swelling is getting worse, or it isn’t improving with self-care. Get urgent care if you heard a crack or the ankle looks misshapen or numb.

Conclusion

Whether you’re aiming for that added support to prevent injury or you’re caring for an existing sprain, you’ll want to take your time and search the best ankle braces for volleyball before playing.

Protecting your ankles now helps keep you on the court for years to come.

Sources

• Bracing superior to neuromuscular training for the prevention of self-reported recurrent ankle sprains, British Journal of Sports Medicine (via PMC)
• Sprains and strains, NHS