Wearing ankle braces is hard enough, not to mention wearing shoes and socks along with it.
Last week, my friend Jacob participated in the neighborhood marathon, and I went to watch along with my husband. It was exciting to cheer on all our friends who were competing. We spotted Jacob covering the last lap when there was a loud thud, and the next moment he was sprawled in the middle of the road.
Hurriedly, we went to investigate and tried to see over the group of medical professionals surrounding him. That's when Jacob looked up at us with a weak smile, "It's only a sprain." he said.
But that sprain required him to walk around in ankle braces for the next two weeks! During that time, I got the opportunity to observe how Jacob managed with walking, wearing shoes and socks.
Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and I thought I'd answer "How to wear ankle support braces with socks and shoes." for my readers. I believe this short guide will help anyone who has just started wearing ankle braces, so read on!
Ankle Brace And Supports
I got a close look at ankle braces recently, and it was pretty tough looking. That makes sense because the whole point of wearing an ankle brace is to keep the foot firmly in place to assist healing. While the primary purpose is stability, it also provides heat and compression.
Is There A Difference Between Ankle Brace And Ankle Support?
There is a slight difference between an ankle brace and ankle support. Both are used for allowing an injury to heal and preventing further injuries. But ankle supports do not immobilize the ankle the way ankle braces do. So, ankle supports are better suited to preventing injury rather than rehabilitation.
Ankle Braces With Socks
So, how do people with ankle braces wear socks? Are you wondering if socks need to be worn inside the brace or outside? I, too, wondered how the socks would fit. But now that I've seen Jacob wearing ankle braces for weeks, I know that socks can be worn over ankle braces.
If it becomes uncomfortable at times, you can also wear a thin sock first. This, followed by the brace, then by a thicker sock will keep your foot warm and compressed.
How To Wear Socks Over Ankle Braces
If you or someone you know have recently started using ankle braces, consider athletic socks. They are long enough to cover braces and are made of good quality material, which will prevent the accumulation of sweat and moisture.
Wearing Ankle Braces With Shoes
If you have recently injured an ankle, one thing's for sure; you'll need to wear the ankle brace all the time. The tricky part about this is wearing shoes. All kinds of shoes are not compatible with ankle braces and support, so let's see the types of shoes suitable for braces.
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- ✅Great medical-grade ankle compression: Whether recovering from home, working all day long, or out playing sports, our ankle brace for women & men will support your feet comfortably by providing targeted and adjustable compression that helps increase blood flow. Effectively relieves plantar fasciitis, ankle sprain, tendonitis, heel spur, arthritis, swelling, muscle fatigue, and other ankle pains. Enjoy excellent ankle support with INDEEMAX now!
- ✅Complimentary ankle support strap: We designed this ankle wraps support with an adjustable strap for customized compression. This ankle support for women and men helps in stabilizing & preventing foot injuries without restricting your motion.
- [Please measure your ankle size before purchasing. If you have wide foot or swelling, pls size up] 2 Auto-Shaped Pads for Snug Support: The ankle wrap support comes with two self-shaping soft pads on both sides, anatomically contoured for a precise fit, giving maximum support without pressing the ankle bone. Ideal effective ankle support for light sprained or injured ankle.
- Easy Hook-and-Loop 1s Fastening: Tired of cumbersome shoelace brace? This ankle support for women and men is specially designed with hook-and-loop fastening, laced with just 1s. It fastens in two directions, providing a balanced and stable 360° wrapping system.
- Air Fabric Keeps You Fresh: It Lines with silky skin touch material underneath, and the heel extends to the sole with low-elastic thin fabric, the achilles tendonitis ankle brace provides a comfortable compression fit and snug wrap for the whole ankle. Laser-cut holes offer superior breathability for the entire foot!
Best Shoes For Ankle Support
1. Shoes With Laces
I think it is wise to wear shoes with laces because they provide extra space and leverage. You can also adjust the laces to adjust the tightness of the laces while opening or closing. If the braces are too big or the injury is severe, then you can easily leave them open.
2. Sneakers
Another type of shoe that would be great for an injured foot is sneakers. The good thing about sneakers is that they are moderately rigid yet flexible enough for slight movement.
3. Oversized Shoes
However, if any of these shoes cause discomfort, it would be best to buy a pair of oversized shoes to wear over the ankle brace. With bigger shoes, it will be easier to remove and put the foot into the shoe.
Shoes To Avoid
That being said, some shoes can further the injury and thus need to be avoided. Rigid shoes, for example, should not be worn with ankle braces. In fact, shoes that are too stiff can worsen the injury. The same goes for very flexible shoes, which do not provide the support needed for ankle braces.
How To Wear Shoes Over Ankle Braces
Follow this stepwise guide to wear shoes over your ankle braces safely:
1. Remove Brace Strap
The first thing you need to do is remove the ankle brace strap. It won't be possible to fit the shoe in if the strap is still firmly attached to the foot.
2. Place The Bottom Strap In Shoe
Next, you will need to place the bottom part of the ankle brace underneath the insole. Since you'll be wearing this all day, it's best to put the strap correctly; otherwise, it would be pretty troublesome to adjust it later. Once you are convinced that it is positioned in a comfortable spot, move on to the next step.
3. Insert The Foot In Shoe
In this step, you need to be very careful, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Slowly, place the foot inside the shoe. Make sure not to disturb the placement of the ankle brace or put it too quickly. After that, close the shoe firmly but ensuring it's not too tight.
If you have selected a lace shoe, you can adjust the tightness easily, and the same goes for velcro straps. Lastly, secure it to the top strap of the ankle brace.
Final Words
That was it! I’ve shared all I know about wearing ankle braces with shoes and socks. At first, it was a bit tricky to understand Jacob’s situation, but the doctor was firm about wearing ankle braces for at least two weeks.
When I interacted with him, I found Jacob had the most trouble fitting into his regular shoes and had to buy a bigger size. So whenever he had to run errands, he wore one regular shoe on his good foot and the bigger shoe to accommodate the braces.
Anyway, I hope you’ve got all the information you need. I’ll see you next time in another informational guide, bye!