Are you looking for the best ankle support braces to increase your range of motion?
Then you’ve come to the right place to learn more about the benefits of walking aids for the elderly and find the right ankle brace for you!
Loaids supports our seniors’ community by researching assistive products you need to live your best life. If you purchase a product after clicking on our affiliate links we earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Who Should Wear an Ankle Brace?
Ankle braces have gained popularity in recent years, especially among athletes and people competing in high-intensity sports. But who should you wear a brace?
In general, braces are an excellent choice for people that need external ankle support to limit movement after an injury or adequate joint support for weak ankles.
Braces reduce pain caused by sprains, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, prevent re-aggravation of an existing injury, and speed up the recovery process.
As such, ankle braces are perfect for elderly people who frequently “roll” their ankles, have ankle pain, and are at high risk of falls and injuries.
The best ankle brace can give you back your independence, improve the quality of your life, and reduce the fear of falling.
If you’re experiencing ankle pain or injury, it’s important to know how to pick the correct ankle brace to support your recovery so read our separate guide.
What Are The Benefits of Using Ankle Brace?
Now that we’ve seen the best ankle braces for the elderly, let’s discuss the benefits of using ankle supports.
1 Extra Stability
As we already pointed out, aging leads to the weakening of the joints and the loss of bone mass. As a result, ankles get less sturdy and more prone to twisting and rolling.
An ankle brace supports the ligaments, joints, and bones to keep the ankle firm and steady when you walk, run, or jog. They also reduce joint inflammation and swelling.
In this way, ankle supports make it easy to move around when you’ve got weak ankles and worry about breaking a leg when walking.
Get the facts and separate myth from truth about the impact of ankle braces on ankle strength in our informative article ‘Do Ankle Braces Weaken Your Ankles‘!
2 Prevent Injuries
Ankle braces significantly reduce the risk of re-injury because they prevent your foot from turning inwards at the wrong moment.
That’s why supportive ankle braces are an excellent solution for people who often twist their ankles or are at risk of ankle injuries and broken bones.
For maximum effect, you have to wear the brace during intense physical activity or whenever you have to put pressure on your feet.
Check: The Best Ankle Braces for Running
3 Promote Recovery
The best ankle braces for the elderly allow you to put minimum pressure on the injured ankle and increase blood circulation to speed up the recovery process.
Keep in mind that ankle braces are more suitable for mild to moderate injuries. For severe sprains, you might need a medical brace to immobilize the leg fully or an AFO for foot drop.
4 Confidence
Due to their limited mobility and fear of falling, elderly people often find the very thought of leaving the house stressful.
Ankle braces can restore confidence and allow you to return to an active lifestyle because they keep the rolling ankles steady and decrease the chances of falling.
All you have to do is find rigid ankle braces that give you the necessary stability.
5 Pain Reduction
A twisted ankle might be minor discomfort for a young person, but seniors need more time to recover, even from mild injuries.
Pain and swelling in the ankle area and the joints can hinder seniors’ mobility and make it difficult to do daily tasks.
Fortunately, the best ankle braces alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and decrease stiffness. They also make chronic conditions, such as arthritis and Achilles tendonitis more manageable and bearable.
Let’s start with a quick look at our top picks, then keep reading for all the glorious details.
Best Ankle Brace Top Picks at a Glance
If you see the value in these products and choose to purchase via my referral links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
- Push Sports Ankle Brace Kicx
- The Breathable Ankle Brace for Men/Women by Liomor: BUDGET PICK
- Ankle Support Brace With Laces for Ankle Sprains by McDavid: SAFETY PICK
- Ankle Brace for Injury Recovery and Joint Pain by PowerLix: COMFORT PICK
Best Ankle Braces for the Elderly
As we age, we lose muscle mass, our metabolism slows down, and our bone density decreases. Bones become brittle, joints get stiff, and knees/ankles lose flexibility and strength.
Unfortunately, these aging changes mean that elderly people are prone to twist/sprained ankles, swelling, stiffness, and strained ligaments, among a few others.
So, if you are among the elderly population or have senior relatives, it might be time to think about preventing ankle/leg injuries. You don’t want to stay off your foot for months.
Fortunately, the solution is simple and doesn’t have to be a walking cane. You can get the best ankle brace to prevent rolling and give you the necessary support when walking.
RELATED ARTICLE: When to Wear a Brace for Ankle Sprain?
The 6 Best Ankle Braces for Elderly (Review Guide)
When it comes to best ankle braces for the elderly, you want something slim, easy to put on/off, and low-maintenance.
Still, it might be hard to find the right brace among the many brands on the market.
That’s why we’ve carefully selected the best ankle braces for the elderly, based on customers’ experience and research.
1. Push Sports Ankle Brace Kicx
If you’re looking for a thin and comfortable lightweight option that you can wear with pretty much any type of shoe, the Push Sports Ankle Brace Kicx is a great pick.
It’s actually designed for “unrestricted sports performance” for athletes, meaning it can definitely take anything you throw at it in your average daily routine.
Push Sports modeled it after taping methods that doctors use to get sports stars back on their feet after an injury.
It fits snugly against your ankle, providing your joint the support you need without feeling too constricting.
If you’ve ever worn cheap ill-fitting ankle braces in the past, you know how important that is. I’ve been there and didn’t even last an hour before taking it off for a break, which just prolonged my healing.
So yes, this one is a bit more expensive than others, but since you’ll actually WANT to wear it, it’s definitely worth the extra cash.
Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|
Design based on sports medicine | A bit pricier than other braces |
Comfortable enough to wear all day | Only three sizes |
Added support helps prevent ankles from twisting and spraining | |
Snugly supports joints without squeezing or constricting | |
Machine-washable (on gentle) |
Check: How to Wear an Ankle Support With Socks
2. The Breathable Ankle Brace for Men/Women by Liomor: BUDGET PICK
If you don’t want to spend a fortune on an ankle brace, Liomor has an excellent ankle brace, suitable for men and women alike.
Thanks to the crisscross reinforced straps, Liomar provides maximum ankle stability and supports your joints and tendons no matter what you’re doing.
The open-heel design gives you a great range of motion, which is great if you’re an active person. But it still provides ample joint stabilization to prevent injury aggregation.
While affordable, the Liomor ankle brace is made of high-quality material for maximum elasticity, comfort, and efficacy.
It features a premium Velcro that doesn’t irritate the skin, breathable nylon to keep your feet cool and dry, and adjustable straps for a snug fit.
Customers also like that the Liomor brace is easy to use because it doesn’t have laces, and you can put it on/off by yourself.
This brace is also comfortable enough to wear day or night, and it’s not very bulky so it fits in most shoes. We also like that it’s machine washable and easy to maintain.
Moreover, the brace fits both the right and left ankle and is suitable for feet up to 12 inches in arm circumference. It has 12 month’s warranty and excellent customer service.
These features make the Liomar ankle brace perfect for swelling, sprains, twisted ankles, tendonitis, and weak ankles.
However, some customers note that the brace doesn’t fit in running shoes and that it the Velcro straps aren’t very durable.
Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|
Made of breathable, elastic materials | It is not compatible with every shoe |
Adjustable straps | Velcro straps might become lose |
Affordable price | |
Reduces pain and swelling | |
Unisex model | |
12-month warranty |
Related: Best Ankle Support Shoes for Elderly
3. Ankle Support Brace With Laces for Ankle Sprains by McDavid: SAFETY PICK
McDavid has one of the best ankle braces for elderly people recovering from ankle sprains or prone to ankle injuries.
This brace has all the key features you want – it’s adjustable, breathable, and comfortable enough to wear for a prolonged period of time.
It features steel spring stays to provide maximum support and keep your ankle stable no matter what you’re doing.
These steel spring inserts are removable so that you can use them whenever you need extra ankle stability. That’s perfect if you plan on wearing the brace at night.
Moreover, the McDavid ankle brace is made of lightweight, breathable material to ensure comfort and avoid skin irritations. It provides the right level of compression without compromising the blood flow.
It also boasts a ventilated tongue to keep your feet from sweating while you’re wearing the brace, which is great if you’re a sports type and exercise often.
While laces aren’t the perfect choice for elderly people, laced-up ankle braces provide better support for the whole foot and allow you to adjust it.
McDavid ankle brace is suitable for wearing on both left and right feet, and it comes in two colors – black and white. It’s also available in several sizes, so make sure to check the sizing chart before ordering.
Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|
Removable medical inserts | Not the cheapest option |
Breathable tongue | Has laces |
Lightweight design | |
Stretchable material | |
Comfortable and snug |
4. Ankle Brace for Injury Recovery and Joint Pain by PowerLix: COMFORT PICK
PowerLix knows how debilitating ankle injuries can be, especially among the elderly population.
That’s why they’ve made ankle supports that give you the necessary level of protection without hindering your movements.
Designed to apply even pressure to the joints and improve blood flow, the PowerLux ankle brace is perfect for reducing swelling and dealing with tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and sprained ankles.
It boasts breathable compression fabric for maximum comfort, stability, and pain relief. The fabric’s elasticity ensures a tight fit, while its smoothness eliminates itching and discomfort.
Moreover, the unique knitted pattern fits different joints, making this ankle brace suitable for people with meaty ankles.
Thanks to the absorbing qualities of the material, your feet will always be dry and odor-free, no matter how many hours you wear the sleeve. That’s a great feature for sweaty feet.
If you care about the style, the PowerLix ankle brace won’t let you down. It’s available in three fashionable colors to match your taste and four sizes.
Users also like that the ankle sleeve is easy to put on/off, doesn’t have laces or straps, and is sold in pairs.
But the cherry on the top is that PowerLix gives you a 100% money-back 6-month guarantee so that you can return the product if you’re not happy with the results.
However, some users note that ordering the right size is a bit tricky.
Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|
A special knitted design | Size chart might be off |
Provides significant pain relief | |
Improves blood circulation | |
Breathable and odor-free | |
Comes with a 6-month guarantee | |
No laces | |
Sold in pairs |
READ MORE: Best Brace for Sprained Ankle
5. ASO Ankle Stabilizer by Med Spec CUSTOMER PICK
If you’re prone to rolling ankles and want to avoid spraints, the Med Spec ankle sleeve won’t disappoint with its stylish design and great features.
What makes this brace stand out against the competition is its stabilizing straps. They form a figure-eight for utmost support and protection of the ankle area.
Moreover, you’ve got a contorted tongue and elastic cuff that keeps the laces and straps secure so that the sleeve fits tightly over the foot. That’s why it’s one of the best ankle braces to prevent rolling ankles.
The Med Spec ankle sleeve is made of nylon for durability and strength so that it won’t fall apart with repeated use.
Its invisible seam and CoolFlex padding also ensure that you can wear the brace all day long with no discomfort or irritation.
Users also like that the ankle brace has a bilateral design to wear on the left or right foot, depending on their needs.
More importantly, this brace fits into most shoe types thanks to its low-profile design and is easy to maintain since you can machine wash it.
We also like the Med Spec ankle sleeve because it’s available in eight different sizes, making it easy to find the right fit for your foot.
However, some customers note that the sizing is inaccurate and can’t return the brace if you get the wrong size.
Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|
Figure-eight protection and support for the ankle | Size chart might be off |
Extremely durable | No returns |
Nylon straps provide strength and comfort | |
Made of lightweight CoolFlex material | |
Recommended by US medical specialties |
CHECK: Best Ankle Braces for Arthritis
6. Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve by Crucial Compression: PAIN RELIEF PICK
When you injure your ankle, the one thing you want the most is fast relief from the pain, swelling, and discomfort.
Fortunately, Crucial Compression has the perfect ankle compression sleeve for instant relief. That’s why their product is on our list of the best ankle braces for the elderly.
What makes this ankle brace stand out among the competition is the unique design that improves blood circulation around the injury, promoting healing and reducing pain.
Moreover, the sleeve is made of light, breathable material to provide a comfortable, snug fit. It also keeps the feet from sweating and overheating, thanks to its moisture-wicking fabric.
The high-quality double stitching and durable construction also guarantee that the ankle brace won’t lose its compression power.
You can wear it day and night, and it’s suitable for a wide range of activities, such as jogging, gymnastics, hiking, and training.
Furthermore, the Crucial Compression ankle brace is so slim that you can wear it under socks and shoes with no problems. Training, hiking, gymnastics – you can stay active without worrying about ankle injuries.
Users also like that the manufacturer gives a full refund or a replacement if they’re not satisfied with this ankle brace and its efficacy.
The Crucial Compression ankle sleeve is also available in three different sizes and colors. It’s unisex, so it works well both for men and women.
However, some customers note that the ankle brace is tighter than expected and that the sizing is off.
Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|
Provides support in the right places | Might be too tight for some users |
Affordable price | |
Reduces pain and swelling almost immediately | |
Ergonomic design | |
Improves blood circulation around the painful spot | |
Refundable/replaceble |
Check: 5 Best Bariatric Knee Braces for Seniors or Big People
FAQS about Ankle Braces for Seniors
Is it bad to wear an ankle brace all day?
If your doctor recommends wearing one all day, then follow those orders. If you’re bracing on your own to prevent injuries, however, then give your ankle a break from the brace. Overuse can actually cause weakness, which leads to injuries.
Do ankle braces actually help?
Yes. Research shows that wearing a brace correctly can help reduce the risk of injuries caused by weakened ankles.
Do I wear an ankle brace over or under a sock?
Your ankle brace should go over your sock to better protect your skin and prevent blisters or pressure wounds.
What type of ankle brace is best?
While that depends on your reasons for wearing one, overall hinged-cuff braces are favored. Not only do they help stabilize your ankle better than other types, but they allow full range of motion, which in turn helps prevent ankles from further weakening.
Conclusion
Ankle braces can make all the difference when you’re prone to twisting and rolling your ankle joints.
It can give you the stability you need and prevent re-aggravation of the injury while you’re healing.
However, keep in mind that ankle braces are not 100% cured and that you might need to take it easy for a couple of weeks.
Our Choice
While all the ankle braces for weak ankles we reviewed will be excellent choices for the elderly, one impressed us the most.
We’re talking about the PowerLix ankle brace with its stylish knitted design, moisture-wicking fabric, and pain-relief properties.
It’s perfect for weak joints because it provides even support across the whole foot and the elastic material ensures a snug fit.
Also, the 6-month warranty allows you to return the brace if you’re not satisfied with its performance and get your money back.
What do you think about these 5 best ankle braces for the elderly? Which is your favorite ankle brace to prevent rolling ankles? Tell us about your experience in the comment section.
My husband could use one of these. His ankles bug him sometimes thanks to being in the military for 20 years.
I’m not elderly and use ankle braces. LOL Thanks for the great list of braces to check out!
I am a runner and have had ankle injuries. This is very useful for me so I can treat injuries right away.
This post is really informative, thanks for sharing your review.
I have a terribly weak ankle so these even sound really supportive for me!
This is great advice even for those who are not elderly! The first ankle brace looks great for comfort and style.
This will be of great help to elderly individuals who are looking for ankle braces. Your reviews are very detailed.
This is always good to know. Having the right brace can really make a big difference.
It is good to have the ankle support if needed. It is nice to know that there are a variety of options and so convenient as well.
Great list! Push Sports Ankle Brace Kicx looks great, I’ll check it out for my dad. He needs one of these ankle braces.
All of these appear to be great options. I think I would go with the second one though for ease.
Thank you for sharing the pros and cons of each one! This is so helpful for anyone who may need some ankle support.
These look like a great selection of braces! I’m glad there are so many so someone can find a brace that works for them.
My husband is looking for a new one that works better. I’m going to share this one with him! Thank you for the info.
You have a great list here. These are all really nice options! Thanks for sharing this with us!
I actually have a very weak ankle from an old injury. I would benefit from a good ankle brace!
I was looking for a solution for an ankle support. It’s great to know that I have so many options!
These look like great options for ankle support, they also seem like they would be good for any age category to be fair!
These sound like a great selection of braces practical and comfy at the same time.
Very useful. I like when something like this is designed not to fall apart after repeated use. That’s important.
I’ve used different ankle supports before, when I was still playing volleyball. As you mentioned, it really falls down to what you need, it’s a bonus if it’s comfortable, thanks for the reviews and recommendation.
I have an ankle brace that really supports my ankle when I need it. After several sprains and playing soccer, my ankles aren’t in the best condition.