Which is better: an orthosis or an ankle taping?
Athletes who have had problems with their ankles (1st, 2nd or 3rd degree sprains) prior to a physical activity should use a method to solidify their ankles to avoid aggravating the situation or re-injuring themselves.
There are two ways to solidify an ankle: a professional can do a “taping” before practicing sports or you can have an ankle brace that is well adapted to the morphology of the foot and meets the needs of the athlete.
But what is better?
Taping, when done properly, can help solidify an injured ankle that is healthy enough to return to sport. This method is very personalized and depends on the athlete’s anatomy but has the disadvantage of having a very short life span (between 15mins and 30mins). Due to sudden movements, sweat and heat, the rigidity of the protection can degrade and give the athlete a false sense of security. To be effective again, another taping will have to be done in time before a problem occurs. It can be done over the initial taping.
The orthosis, on the other hand, offers longer-lasting support. The support structure being made of solid material (polymer, rigid plastic, or in some cases metal), it is possible to have a loosening of the protection, but generally a tightening of the adjustment mechanism will be sufficient to counter this situation. However, the effectiveness of the orthosis depends on its adjustment to your physiology. So it’s important to consult a professional to make sure you have the right orthotic, as there are custom or molded orthotics, but perhaps a standard orthotic can work for you.
Avoid ankle braces that have no stabilizing structures and only provide compression. They are not designed to compensate for the loss of ligament and tendon stiffness that results from an ankle injury.
Of course, there is the price dimension. A good brace can cost you up to a few hundred dollars while a taping is usually $5-20 depending on the therapist (in some cases, sports teams include this service in their fees). But in the end, it’s important to think about your safety and the possibility of re-offending.
Another factor that may enter into your decision making process is whether or not the brace will fit into your equipment. For those who practice with shoes, you should try to see if this option is compatible. Same thing for those who use skates. The best way to do this is to bring your equipment with you when you go to see a specialist.
The last point that is important is to see your physiotherapist even if you choose an orthosis. The brace will protect your ankle from recurrence, but you must continue to strengthen and retrain your ankle structures to eventually be able to have a healthy ankle.
