The 5 Best Braces for Ankle Arthritis to Keep You Moving

Using a brace for ankle Arthritis is a great option. Different types of arthritis act on the body in different ways. But the effects and outcomes of the condition can be very similar. Arthritis is inflammation and degradation within the joints that results in pain, swelling, and stiffness. Arthritis in your ankles is no different. In fact, the impact may be more significant at the ankles when compared to other joints due to lost mobility, pain, and the seemingly impossible task of finding pain relief when upright.

Name	Price	Best Feature	Our rating	Best Price
McDavid Ankle Brace	$$	Best for Moderate - Severe Arthritis. Easy to use and great support.	9.7/10	See Current Price
Med Spec Ankle Stabilizer	$	Best for Moderate - Severe Arthritis. Love the figure 8 straps for support	9.6/10	See Current Price
Venom Ankle Brace	$	Best for Moderate - Severe Arthritis. Comfortable neoprene materaial	9.4/10	See Current Price
Incrediwear Ankle Sleeve	$	Best for Mild - Moderate Arthritis. Comfortable fabric with natural healing additives	9.5/10	See Current Price
Powerlix Ankle Compression Sleeve	$	Best for Mild - Moderate Arthritis. Comfortable to wear in any shoe.	9.3/10	See Current Price
Sleeve Stars Ankle Compression Sleeve	$	Best for Mild - Moderate Arthritis. We love the extra strap for support	9.3/10	See Current Price

Why Arthritis in the Ankle is so Impactful?

Losing the ability to stand upright without pain affects walking, standing, and moving throughout the day. There are not many things in this world that can be done without being on your ankles.

The increased pain also usually comes with a loss of strength and flexibility in your ankles. The feet and ankles are responsible for supporting the weight of your entire body. So, changes in function or integrity of the feet can have serious influence on other joints throughout the body. Pain in the ankles can cause compensations in the surrounding joints such as the low back, hips, and knees.

Does Wearing an Ankle Brace Help With Arthritis?

Yes, wearing a brace can help with ankle arthritis. The primary goal of a brace is to support the joint which can lower pain and inflammation. This is important in ankle arthritis. By wearing an ankle brace you can increase support on the joint, keep inflammation low, and improve your mobility with less pain while walking. An ankle brace makes it easier and less painful to do things that used to be easy.

Obesity plays a large role in ankle arthritis. The ankle joint bears 5x our body weight when we are walking. This translates to a lot of force going through our joint as we gain weight.

Ankle brace may also help you exercise with less pain and for longer periods which can help with weight management.

What is Ankle Arthritis

What are the Rehab for Ankle Arthritis?

As symptoms of the arthritis progress they start to impact your day to day life. Your ankles may get weaker, less flexible, and simple tasks can get harder and more stressful. Some of the most important lifestyle changes to make now are:

Engaging in exercises to improve your ankle ROM
Work on balance to avoid falls and injury
Increase hip and ankle strength
Remain hydrated to help with overall health and joint lubrication
Consider holistic additions such as adding Turmeric and other anti-inflammatory foods
Wearing a supportive brace or sleeve
Along with walking to maintain mobility and weight management, its important to keep moving

Different Types of Braces for Ankle Arthritis

As you know it’s important for your ankles to be strong and stable. An effective ankle brace contributes to both of those things. There are a variety of brace options and the right kind will be different for each person. The two most popular options for daily use are the soft brace and the semi-rigid brace. Each provides different support to the ankles.

Ankle Compression Sleeve

A soft brace almost resembles a thick sock. Like the compression sleeves worn by athletes, the soft brace creates pressure where it’s worn. This can have significant effects on swelling and inflammation while also providing a small amount of added support. This is a great option if you have mild or moderate symptoms.

Semi-Rigid Ankle Brace

Semi-rigid braces are different in both design and function. Rather than compression, these braces offer support. They’re made of harder materials designed to limit movement at the ankle and increase stability. If you have more serious pain or weakness in your ankle a semi-rigid brace may be an appropriate choice.

Below you’ll find a quick introduction to three models of each brace type.

Important Facts About Ankle Arthritis

Facts	Important Number
Average Age of Ankle Arthritis Onset	65 Years old
Percent of People with Ankle Arthritis	9-15%
Number Ankle Replacement Surgeries	~4,000 per Uear
Obesity Can Cause Problems	Ankles Bear 5x your Bodyweight When Standing

More About Ankle Arthritis

Is it Bad to Wear an Ankle Brace all the Time?

No not at all. The best advice when it comes to braces is “Wear it as much as you need, but not more than you have to.” If wearing a brace lets you get out of the house and do all of the household things you need to do then wear it.

How Many Hours Should You Wear an Ankle Brace?

We recommend wearing it a few hours a day. Try to wear the ankle brace as little as you have to to manage pain. The goal is to also be doing strengthening exercises to rely less on the brace in the future.

Can Walking with Ankle Arthritis Make it Worse?

Not at all. In fact walking with arthritis is recommended. Walking has been shown to be beneficial for joint cartilage to promote blood flow and reduce pain.

Can you Have Surgery to Fix Ankle Arthritis?

There is an ankle replacement surgery but it is not as common as the other large joints of the body. Ankle Replacements have gotten much better over the last few years but it is still not a guarantee to be a fix. Some people opt for an ankle fusion surgery instead.

Best Braces for Mild to Moderate Arthritis

Incrediwear Ankle Compression Brace

Summary: The Incrediwear Ankle brace is focused on healing, support, and comfort. It has Germanium and Carbon woven into the fabric to help speed up the healing process. We love the looks and the comfortable fabric. It gives you enough support to be helpful but isn’t too bulky to become a nuisance.