Ankle Supports Comparison
Compare the Essential Wellness compression sleeve, reinforcing ankle support and lace up brace side by side: how each one feels, what it is usually worn for, and when to get your ankle assessed instead.
Find the ankle support that suits you!
Using 10+ years of musculoskeletal physiotherapy working on a combination of projects from outpatients to England Netball. We combined this with customer feedback and developed three different ankle supports. Each one suitable for different types of ankle injuries.
If you have just injured your ankle, had a ligament sprain or are having a flare up of arthritis, many people find an ankle support makes getting about feel steadier while things settle. However, one support does not suit every situation. We compare the features of each of the three Essential Wellness ankle supports below. If you cannot put weight on the foot, the ankle looks misshapen, or things are getting worse rather than better, please get it assessed before choosing a support.OFTEN WORN FOR
WHAT WE OFFER
Compression Ankle Sleeve
Gentle compression that many people find comfortable through the day
The lightest and most discreet of the three, with freedom of movement
A supported feeling when the ankle aches or stiffens with activity
Reinforcing Ankle Support
A firmer, wrapped hold for getting back to golf and bowls
Popular with people managing long-standing ankle arthritis
Adjustable for the best fit and peace of mind when out and about
Rigid Ankle Brace
The sturdiest hold of the three, for when the others feel too light
Chosen by people with more severe or long-standing ankle problems
Around surgery, only where your surgical team recommends a brace
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Ankle Compression Sleeve
Our compression sleeve is the lightest of the three, for when swelling and mild soreness are your main concerns. If your ankle fatigues more easily than it used to, or you struggle to find a comfortable position at rest or on long car journeys, many people find gentle compression helps at those times.
Its elastic multi-directional compression is designed to feel supportive around the joint and keep it warm. If you get a permanent discomfort with swelling that worsens through the day, this sleeve is an easy thing to make part of your morning routine. Swelling that comes on suddenly, or a joint that is hot, red or very painful, should be looked at promptly rather than compressed.
Often worn for: Driving, Walking, Domestic Chores, Sitting Down, Bowls & Gentle Keep Fit.
Ankle Support
You may find your ankle wants a little more support than a sleeve gives. If you have gone over on your ankle and sprained the ligaments, walking unsupported can be very challenging, and a grade 2 sprain can be painful and difficult to put weight on. A firmer level of support gives many people the confidence to keep moving while it settles. If you cannot bear weight at all, get it assessed rather than strapping it up.
This ankle support is easily slipped over the foot, which helps when the ankle is sore. You secure it with 2 straps you can adjust to what feels comfortable, and the fabric stays breathable while adding compression. If you want extra reassurance on a busier day, that is where the third reinforcing strap comes in: it lets you put the hold where you want it most.
Often worn for: Bowls, Golf, Walking (particularly on uneven ground), Gardening, Mobility & Exercise.
Lace Up Ankle Brace
If you are recovering from surgery or returning to high intensity sport, the lace up brace is the sturdiest option we make. If you are worried you have had a serious injury, or the pain is almost too much to bear, please get assessed first: that is not something a brace should be used to push through.
Its reinforced side bars and lace up front give a firm, surrounding hold, and most people notice that held feeling immediately. Many tell us the reassurance is what lets them get on with the day. If your ankle is genuinely giving way, or you are having falls, that needs assessing rather than bracing.
If you are recovering from surgery, follow your surgical team's guidance on whether and when to brace. Some people find wearing it over socks the most comfortable option, and it adds a little warmth to a sore joint.
Often worn for: Walking, Return to sport following an ankle injury, Walking with a stick or crutches or coming off them, Golf.