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Ankle Brace

Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute -  - Foot and Ankle Specialist

Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute

Podiatrist and Foot and Ankle Specialist located in Scottsdale, AZ and Phoenix, AZ

Chronic ankle sprains may be a serious sign that your ankle never healed properly from a previous injury. Marta Riniker, DPM and Jeffrey McAlister, DPM, FACFAS, at Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute in Phoenix can help correct your chronic ankle instability with treatments like an ankle brace. Call or book an appointment online today to learn more about how an ankle brace or minimally invasive surgical treatment can improve your ankle stability.

Ankle Brace Q & A

When do I need an ankle brace?

The ankle joint connects your leg to your foot to keep your lower limbs and gait stable. When the ankle joint is injured, it can:

  • Decrease your range of motion
  • Cause damage to surrounding ligaments
  • Impact your ability to stand without assistance
  • Prevent you from walking properly
  • Hinder your ability to exercise

For patients suffering from painful chronic ankle sprains, an ankle brace may be your best treatment option for avoiding further injuries.

What are chronic ankle sprains?

Chronic ankle sprains are exactly what they sound like — ankle sprains that occur again and again, thanks to instability in your ankle.

These chronic sprains tell your doctor that you’ve likely injured your ankle at some point, but didn’t seek proper treatment back then.

When you don’t care for your ankle injury properly — with ice, rest, warm compress, etc. — your ankle may weaken and become unstable, predisposing you to future injuries.

If you have ankle instability, you may experience:

  • Dull or persistent ankle pain
  • Wobbly ankles
  • Ankle weakness
  • A feeling of “giving way” when you exercise
  • Constant swelling around the ankle

A brace will help your ankle heal properly after a sprain to strengthen the joint and prevent you from experiencing future re-injury.

What are my treatment options?

If you are repeatedly spraining your ankle, it’s time to call Dr. McAlister and figure out if you are suffering from chronic ankle sprains or ankle instability.

Before creating your recovery plan, he will likely recommend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, ultrasound, or stress X-ray to determine the severity of your injury.

Combined with at-home therapies like rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications, a brace can help your ankle strengthen and heal properly.

However, if the damage to your ankle is serious enough that even a brace will not fully correct the problem, Dr. McAlister offers minimally invasive surgical options to treat your ankle instability.

Call or book an appointment online with Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute for more information on chronic ankle sprains and ankle braces.