Bauerfeind MalleoTrain Ankle Support

Ankles are complex joints responsible for your body's fluid movement and locomotion. Although they're strong enough to support your body weight under various forces, your ankles must be flexible enough to handle multiple turns, rotations, and configurations throughout the day without you realizing it. But when arthritis in the ankle strikes, it can make you painfully aware of every move your ankle makes. Even the act of walking a straight line becomes an excruciating task.

Fortunately, you can return to regular activity despite your ankle arthritis by using the appropriate orthopedic supplies and orthotic devices. This article features five ankle supports that are the best in their categories.

What Does Arthritis in the Ankle Feel Like?

Three types of arthritis affect the ankle: osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteo and post-traumatic arthritis conditions are degenerative diseases that worsen over time. As a result, these diseases can cause painful flare-ups of stiffness after being stationary for a while, tenderness from swelling, and radiating pains from bone spurs. Also known as wear and tear arthritis, osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis destroy protective tissue in your ankle joint, causing sharp, grating pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that makes your body's defenses attack its own tissue. Specifically, it attacks soft tissue in the ankle joint called the synovium, resulting in pain from swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and a radiating burning sensation over the ankle and foot. The episode can last for a month and a half or longer. In addition, unlike osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis attacks both ankles simultaneously. However, regardless of the type of ankle arthritis you have, the right ankle support can reduce your pain and stiffness to return to your normal activities.

How to Deal with Ankle Arthritis

There are several effective, non-surgical methods you can use to deal with arthritis, including:

Can Ankle Arthritis Be Cured?

Unfortunately, ankle arthritis is not curable. However, there are several effective treatments, including physical therapy, inflammatory drugs, and pain killers. If less-invasive approaches are unsuccessful, doctors may recommend one of the two primary reconstructive surgeries: ankle fusion and total ankle replacement.

Achillo Train Achilles Tendon SupportAchillo Train Achilles Tendon Support

Best Ankle Arthritis Support for the Achilles Tendon

Product: Achillo Train Achilles Tendon Support Brand name: Bauerfeind

Frequently, ankle arthritis severely weakens the Achilles tendon, resulting in extreme mobility and standing issues. The AchilloTrain provides breathable knitted support with an anatomically contoured silicone insert that travels the length of the Achilles tendon, causing a slight plantar flexion. It also cushions the heel of the unaffected foot. As a result, the AchilloTrain provides comfortable Achilles tendon support with added stability.

Best Ankle Arthritis Support for Athletes

Product: Tuli Cheetah Ankle Support with Heel Cup Brand name: Tuli

The Tuli Cheetah ankle support provides exceptional shock absorption from its patented "waffle" design. The lightweight neoprene material combined with the shock absorption makes it a favorite ankle arthritis support for gymnasts, dancers, and other athletes. The Tuli Cheetah ankle support is particularly effective in relieving the pain from osteoarthritis-related heel spurs.

Best Ankle Brace Stabilizer for Arthritis

Product: Ankle Lok Ankle Brace Stabilizers Brand name: AliMed

The Ankle Lok Ankle Brace Stabilizer's lace-up design provides maximum ankle and foot support stabilization, particularly for severely weakened ankles. The back of the brace is fully elastic to facilitate unrestricted blood flow through the Achilles tendon. Also, the seamless heel allows you to walk comfortably without irritation, making it one of the best orthopedic braces for ankles. However, the product package only comes with ankle stabilizers. The brace is on sale separately.

Best Ankle Support for Mild Arthritis

Product: Slip-On Neoprene Ankle Support Brace Brand name: Scott Specialties

The Neoprene Ankle Support Brace has a slip-on design that gives weak ankles great support while accelerating the healing process by retaining body heat. For added comfort, this brace has an open toe and heel. Neoprene Ankle Support Braces will help keep your arthritis pain at bay while playing tennis or running.

Best All-Around Ankle Support Brace for Arthritis

Product: Bauerfeind MalleoLoc Ankle Brace Brand name: Bauerfeind

The Bauerfeind Malleoloc Ankle Brace is the best overall ankle support brace for arthritis because of its superior stabilizing capacity without inhibiting mobility. Its sleek design prevents the outward rolling of the ankle joint, which helps slow down the deteriorating effects of osteoarthritis. For more vigorous movements, the ankle brace has a figure-8 hook and loop strapping structure that stubbornly stays in place. In addition, the Bauerfeind Malleoloc Ankle Brace is very lightweight with heat-molded thermoplastic material for a custom fit.

Best Ankle Support for Arthritis

Ankle arthritis manifests itself differently in everyone. So, the best ankle support for you depends on the type of support you need in the area you need it. With that in mind, here is a list of five ankle supports that are the best in their categories.

You Don't Have to Let Ankle Arthritis Pain Rule You

It's unnecessary to let arthritic pain and stiffness limit your life when you can use one of these ankle supports to return to your normal activities. While you may not be pain-free during your arthritis episode, the proper ankle support can relieve the pain and stabilize the joint enough to allow you to function well without injuring yourself any further.

Visit Allegromedical.com for a comprehensive selection of quality orthopedic supplies and orthotic devices.