A High Ankle Sprain Guide to Recovery

It seems like every week you hear some top athlete has a high ankle injury. Now your son who plays football has a high ankle sprain or your daughter that plays volleyball just got diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. You’ve heard the high ankle sprain is much worse than a common low ankle sprain. But what is a high ankle sprain and how does it happen? Why are high ankle injuries so much more difficult to treat?

Where a classic low ankle injury is caused when the ankle rolls inward, a high ankle injury typically occurs when the ankle and lower leg rotates excessively outward. Unlike a classic low ankle injury, a high ankle sprain is not necessary to the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint, although this can occur, but to the tissue and ligaments that hold the lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula, together. Hence the term “high” ankle sprain because the injury is above the ankle joint. High ankle injuries are more severe and take longer to hear than low ankle injuries.

Athletes with a high ankle injury will most likely complain of pain in their lower leg. If an athlete believes they have a high ankle injury, they should cease activity immediately and get a quick evaluation by an athletic trainer or other medical professional. Since athletes with a high ankle injury are typically out twice as long as someone who suffers a classic low ankle injury, it’s important to not make the injury worse by continuing activities.

Once evaluated, the sports medicine professional will most likely prescribe the common RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) for initial care of the injury. Physical therapy will be needed to help reduce swelling and pain initially, then to regain ankle strength and range of motion. A physical therapist or athletic trainer are the best qualified medical professionals to oversee the rehabilitation process. Then you will need an ankle brace that is designed specifically to treat a high ankle injury versus a low ankle injury, meaning the brace will help restrict excessive ankle rotation that caused the high ankle injury. Most ankle braces are designed only to help restrict ankle turning which causes low ankle injuries.

There is one company that has pioneered ankle braces for high ankle injuries and that is Ultra Ankle. Ultra Ankle’s Ultra CTS ankle brace is designed to restrict excessive ankle rotation that causes high ankle injuries as well as “unload” or “offload” the ankle to help reduce weight bearing pain. A proprietary Performathane® soft outer shell uses body heat to form a custom-fit to the ankle which enhances comfort and support.

 

At Ultra Ankle you have total access to our Certified Athletic Trainers that help you select the appropriate Ultra Ankle brace for your ankle condition and then help you fit your new Ultra Ankle brace once it arrives. Start the conversation by sending our Certified Athletic Trainer a message.

Syndesmotic ankle injuries (high ankle sprains) continue to be a challenge for athletes and athletic trainers alike, given their lengthy healing time and the associated discomfort for athletes. Here are some key updates and developments you need to consider when treating a high ankle injury:

 

Maintaining the Integrity of the Tibia and Fibula

Athletic trainers understand high ankle injuries are often more severe than their lower counterparts and require a longer healing period. The injury occurs when the ankle externally rotates, separating the tibial and fibular malleoli, and potentially stretching or tearing the syndesmosis – the ligaments and membrane that keep the tibia and fibula together. To aid the healing process, the focus should be on stabilizing the tibia and fibula, which in turn reduces the stress on the damaged ligaments and helps manage the pain.

Some modern ankle braces have been designed to provide consistent compression not only around the circumference of the lower leg and ankle but also along the length of the shin. Compression ideally should extend from the ankle joint to at least 10 inches above the malleoli for more effective support of the lower leg and ankle, and better soft tissue stress reduction.

 

Managing Weight-Bearing Pain

Alongside stabilizing the tibia and fibula, you also need to address the weight-bearing pain that accompanies the injury. When the calcaneus impacts the ground, the force drives the talus into the tibia, causing a separation between the tibia and fibula. This movement results in further stretching of the damaged ligaments and subsequent pain.

 

Thanks to technological advances, some ankle braces, like the Ultra Ankle® Ultra CTS®, now have enhanced shock-absorbing features to minimize painful impact. They employ advanced materials that effectively absorb and distribute the force exerted on the ankle to the lower leg, thereby reducing the stress on the injured area. This is known as “unloading” or “offloading” the ankle.

The Ultra CTS® (Custom Treatment System) ankle brace has seen continuous improvements over the years and remains one of the trusted choices for acute ankle injuries, particularly syndesmotic ankle injuries. With enhanced compression, improved support, and more efficient impact absorption, this brace can help athletes return to activity more rapidly and with less pain. If you have any queries about how the updated Ultra CTS® can facilitate your athlete’s recovery, feel free to reach out, and we’ll be glad to assist.

Title: Experience Enhanced Mobility and Protection with Ultra Ankle’s Hinged Cuff Ankle Braces

 

It’s 2023 and we’re more active than ever. Whether it’s professional sports, fitness regimens, or simply daily activities, our ankles play a vital role in supporting our movement. This makes them susceptible to injuries, emphasizing the need for an optimal protective solution: Ultra Ankle’s proprietary hinged-cuff ankle braces.

As per recent health statistics, ankle injuries make up approximately 15% of all sporting injuries globally. Athletes are continually seeking effective preventive measures to reduce their downtime and get back into the game faster. That’s where Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff or “Limitless Performance Series” ankle braces come into play.

Unlike most traditional ankle braces that restrict mobility, because they bind the ankle in the neutral position, Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff design allows for unlimited natural ankle range of motion to enhance performance and keep the muscles strong. The Limitless Performance Series braces restrict excessive ankle turning and twisting to help prevent both low and high ankle injuries.

Innovations in the field have led to these braces being lighter, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before. Because the braces work to reduce the excessive movement that can lead to ankle injuries, it makes them a top choice for athletes looking for preventive solutions, as well as those on the road to recovery.

For active individuals or athletes who have previously suffered an ankle injury, the risk of re-injury is a pressing concern. However, according to recent studies, wearing a hinged-cuff ankle brace can decrease the odds of re-injury by approximately 50%. This is significant when considering the peace of mind and safety it brings to those wearing the brace.

Not only for athletes, but these braces also cater to individuals of all ages with varying activity levels. They provide support and stability for those with weakened or imbalanced ankles, thereby reducing the risk of falls and accidents. The Ultra CTS is the only brace available that helps reduce weight bearing pain in Osteoarthritis patients. The brace “unloads” the ankle and reduces bone-on-bone irritation and pain.

Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff ankle braces are a blend of advanced technology, innovative design, and medical-grade materials that provide unparalleled comfort and security. Whether you’re in a high-impact sport, like volleyball or football, or need additional ankle support for everyday activities. Ultra Ankle braces offer innovative solutions for ankle protection.

Invest in your health and mobility today with Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff ankle braces. These braces are built for ultimate performance and are designed to adapt to the natural shape of your ankle, offering a secure fit, incredible support, and optimal mobility. Take a proactive step towards ankle injury prevention and enhanced performance with Ultra Ankle.

What is your go-to ankle brace for acute ankle injuries? Don’t have one? It turns out you’re not alone.

When it comes to bracing acute ankle injuries, many AT’s end up using a walking boot because they are lacking a sufficient ankle brace alternative. Seeing this void in the marketplace led the ATs at Ultra Ankle to develop the first ankle brace specifically designed to treat/brace acute ankle injuries – the Ultra CTS (Custom Treatment System).

With the Ultra CTS ankle brace we address the two features needed most when bracing acute ankle injuries – maximum ankle and lower leg stabilization combined with reducing weight bearing pain. 

Stabilizing the Ankle and Lower Leg

Let’s say your basketball player comes down from a rebound and lands on another player’s foot, potentially resulting in a grade two ankle sprain. Or your starting tackle gets his ankle rolled up on and now you’re treating his syndesmotic ankle injury. A typical plan of action is to put the player in a walking boot for a day or two to calm things down…but then what?

First things first, you must address the stability issue before the athlete can transition out of the walking boot.

The Ultra CTS has a dual hinged-cuff design that is taller than other braces to compress and stabilize the tibia and fibula. This upper cuff section is made of a flexible soft-shell material (Performathane) which allows the brace to securely encircle the lower leg and ankle providing maximum stability. Our proprietary Performathane® material is made of the highest quality thermoplastic resin – which means it is able to absorb the body heat of the athlete during activity to help it create a form-fitting, secure fit.

When it comes to recovering from an injury, the longer the athlete is in the walking boot the more their ankle strength and ROM are negatively impacted. For this reason, it’s important to have the Ultra CTS® acute injury ankle brace as a part of your transition protocol. With this ankle brace, athletes are able to transition back to activity much sooner and safer than if they went straight from a walking boot to no brace or a lace-up support.

Now, how do you address the weight bearing pain?

Reducing Weight Bearing Pain

The second unique feature of the Ultra CTS design is the ability to unload the ankle to reduce weight bearing pain. We designed the foot section of the Ultra CTS using a semi-rigid material that will absorb some of the impact and/or energy that would normally be directed into the sore and injured ankle. With this foot section in place, the energy bypasses the ankle and is applied to the lower leg. This reduces the impact to the sore ankle (resulting in the athlete feeling less pain) which means they can transition out of the walking boot to a fully functional ankle brace they can wear for the remainder of their rehabilitation.

At this point many athletes will opt to wear the Ultra CTS the remainder of the season because it’s comfortable and they don’t have any fear of reinjury. However, if the athlete would prefer a more mobile ankle brace, they can quickly detach the upper PerformaFit® upper cuff section to transition into a low-profile activity brace. Either way, you now have options when bracing and treating acute ankle injuries that will safely get your athletes back to full participation faster.

Treat In-Game Ankle Injuries

Aside from being an important part of your treatment and rehab protocol, the Ultra CTS is also widely used by collegiate and pro athletic trainers to treat in-game ankle injuries.

After an athlete suffers an in-game ankle injury, most of the time the only thing preventing them from returning to the game is their weight bearing pain. Tape and lace-ups cannot unload the ankle and reduce weight bearing pain – but the Ultra CTS can. Athletic trainers, especially in football, are consistently utilizing the Ultra CTS on in-game ankle injuries (when appropriate) to allow the player to return to competition during the same game.

Are you one of the many athletic trainers prepared for acute and/or in-game ankle injuries by having an Ultra CTS in your kit? If not, let us know what it would take to get you to try it out by sending us an email at [email protected] or leaving us a note in the comments below.

Ultra Zoom

Help prevent ankle injuries all season long.

Ultra High-5

Reinforce the ankle after a history of multiple ankle injuries

Ultra CTS

Maximize stabilization to treat acute ankle injuries

The challenge with treating patients or athletes with acute ankle injures is they typically require two ankle braces for treatment.  The initial treatment requires a more supportive restrictive ankle brace, and then as the ankle heals and more mobility is prescribed, a lower profile less restrictive ankle brace is preferred.  Medical professionals on the clinical side are faced with billing patients for two ankle braces, which is not in the patient’s best interest.  At Ultra Ankle® we saw this dilemma medical professionals face when treating acute ankle injuries so we developed PerformaFit® Detachable Shell Technology that allows one ankle brace to be used for both acute injury treatment and active rehabilitation.

The Ultra CTS® Custom Treatment System combines two advanced technologies.  Performathane® custom-fit soft shell technology uses body heat to form-fit to the ankle, constantly reforming as edema is reduced and the ankle changes shape.  And PerformaFit® Detachable Shell technology which allows the upper cuff of the Ultra CTS® to be detached for a low profile activity brace, or reattached for maximum lower leg compression and stabilization.  The Ultra CTS® is the first ankle brace that can both treat and rehabilitate ankle injuries.

Another reason we developed the Ultra CTS® is because we saw walking boots being prescribed for bracing grade 1 & 2 ankle injuries.  In most cases a walking boot is overkill for treating those types of ankle injuries but the medical professional has no good ankle brace alternatives for treating acute ankle injuries.  Now, the medical professional has an acute ankle bracing option.  The Ultra CTS® provides significant lower leg compression and stabilization which is necessary in the early stages of an acute ankle injury, especially syndesmotic injuries.  The Ultra CTS® also unloads the ankle to reduce weight bearing pain allowing for early activity after injury.  The Ultra CTS® is total ankle injury management in ONE ankle brace.

Ultra Zoom

Help prevent ankle injuries all season long.

Ultra High-5

Reinforce the ankle after a history of multiple ankle injuries

Ultra CTS

Maximize stabilization to treat acute ankle injuries

Here’s the scenario: a player goes down with an ankle injury. The athletic trainer brings the player back to the sidelines, takes off his or her shoe and sock and begins to tape the injured ankle.  After a roll of tape the player hops off the taping table to give it a try but is still hobbling around, unable to tolerate the pain.  Why? You just put the best tape job of your life on that ankle, it should be stable. Here’s the thing, it’s not the ankle instability that is causing the pain, it’s the impact. Tape alone cannot reduce weight-bearing impact. So what options do have to reduce impact – and the pain associated with it, thus allowing the player to return quickly, safely and relatively pain free to competition?

Reducing painful weight-bearing impact from acute ankle injury is the key to a quick return to activity. Tape can’t reduce ankle impact, lace-ups can’t reduce impact, any ankle brace that has a soft bottom or open heel section can’t reduce impact. You must use an ankle brace that “unloads” the ankle to reduce painful weight-bearing impact. Unloading means the ankle brace is absorbing the impact or energy, not the sore ankle.

To achieve maximum ankle unloading, the ankle brace must be made with a semi-rigid resin having a hinged cuff U-shaped design. The hinge is important because it allows the ankle brace to move with the ankle, staying securely in place maintaining long-lasting support. The cuff which wraps around the posterior lower leg is extremely important because it absorbs the impact and transfers that impact/energy to the lower leg. This technology is efficient in ankle unloading because it creates significant stabilization and support due to the U-shape semi-rigid design in both the vertical and horizontal planes.

At Ultra Ankle® we have developed two ankle bracing technologies that will unload the ankle. The Ultra High-5® is a hinged-cuff design that is recommended for chronic ankle instability and reoccurring joint pain. The Ultra CTS® is a hinged-cuff detachable shell design that is recommended for acute ankle injury treatment and rehabilitation. The Ultra CTS® provides maximum lower leg compression and stabilization with significant ankle unloading to reduce weight bearing pain. The Ultra CTS® is the ankle brace every athletic trainer should have available on game day.

Ultra Zoom

Help prevent ankle injuries all season long.

Ultra High-5

Reinforce the ankle after a history of multiple ankle injuries

Ultra CTS

Maximize stabilization to treat acute ankle injuries