Ankle Brace For Supination

What Is a Supination Injury of the Ankle?

Supination injury of the ankle is a common type of ankle injury. Supination refers to the movement of the foot where the sole is turned outward or upward. A supination injury of the ankle typically occurs when there is excessive supination force applied to the ankle joint during activities like walking on an uneven surface, sudden twisting while running, or in sports that involve quick changes in direction. This abnormal movement can cause damage to the various structures within the ankle.

Symptoms of Supination

• Pain: There is usually immediate sharp pain on the outside of the ankle at the time of injury, which may persist and worsen with movement or weight-bearing.
• Swelling: The ankle often swells rapidly due to inflammation and bleeding from the damaged tissues. 
• Bruising: Bruises may appear around the ankle area over time as blood leaks from the injured blood vessels.
• Difficulty with Movement: Patients may find it painful and difficult to move the ankle normally, such as when walking, running, or even just flexing and extending the foot.

Treatment

1. Rest: It is crucial to immediately stop any activities that put stress on the affected ankle or area. Limiting weight-bearing and giving the body time to start the healing process helps prevent further damage to the already injured structures like ligaments, tendons, or bones.
2. Compression: Using an elastic ankle bandage for sprain or an ankle supination brace to wrap the ankle snugly can help control swelling by reducing the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. However, it's important not to wrap it too tightly as that could impede blood circulation.
3. Strength Training: Exercises to build strength in the muscles around the ankle are essential for long-term stability. This can involve using resistance bands to perform eversion and inversion exercises (moving the sole of the foot inward and outward against the resistance of the band). Calf raises, both single-leg and double-leg, are also beneficial as they work on the muscles that support the ankle joint.

It's important to note that the treatment plan should be tailored to the individual's specific injury and guided by a medical professional, such as a doctor or a physical therapist. Regular follow-up appointments are usually needed to monitor progress and make adjustments to the treatment approach as necessary.