5 Best Ankle Braces for Arthritis to Alleviate the Pain

If you’re looking for the best ankle braces for arthritis, let me help you out.

Arthritis makes moving and walking painful, but an ankle brace can improve your symptoms.

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How to Choose the Best Ankle Braces for Arthritis 

Let’s talk about what features you should consider when choosing the best ankle braces for arthritis.

Material

You want a brace made from breathable and moisture-wicking material to prevent overheating and sweating. If you have allergies, ensure that the fabric is latex-free.

Type of Brace 

Foot braces come in many forms with different levels of protection. The most common types of ankle braces are rigid, hybrid, soft, and custom. 

For arthritis, you need a supportive ankle brace to take some of the weight of the joints and reduce the inflammation. A compression support sleeve also works. 

Snug Fit

Braces should be snug but not too tight to ensure proper blood circulation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to measure and how to put on the ankle brace.

So, keep reading to discover our top 5 braces and ankle compression sleeves for arthritis.

Start with a quick glance at our three favorites, then read on for the complete reviews.

RELATED: 5 Best Braces for Weak Ankles

Best Ankle Braces for Arthritis Top Picks at a Glance

• Winner: Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer
• Best for Maximum Protection: McDavid Ankle Support Brace 
• Best for Comfort: Incrediwear Ankle Sleeve

5 Best Ankle Braces for Arthritis (Review)

Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints, making daily activities painful. It’s a very common condition. 

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC, “more than 53 million people, have arthritis.” And while there’s no cure, there are plenty of treatment options to slow down its progress. 

Ankle braces are one of the easiest nonsurgical treatments to reduce pain, stiffness, and joint inflammation. 

So, let’s see our top pick of the most effective braces for arthritis.

1. Winner: Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer

Med Spec is the best choice when you’re looking for a comfortable brace to reduce pain and improve your foot’s stability. 

Physical Attributes

• Ballistic nylon boot
• Stabilizing straps
• Bilateral design with invisible seams

Quantitative Measurements

• Available in eight sizes from small to 3X-large 
• Suitable for medial/lateral instability, sprains, subtalar joint instability 

Benefits

Med Spec’s foot stabilizer boasts a lightweight design with figure-eight stabilizing straps for maximum comfort and stability. 

As such, it provides the crucial compression level for reducing pain and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis or muscle strains. And it doesn’t compromise blood circulation. 

Best of all, this ankle brace for arthritis has a low profile to ensure it fits into any type of shoe with no problems. 

Drawbacks

Unfortunately, Med Spec’s ASO isn’t the easiest to apply because of the straps and laces. Some customers also say the sizing chart is off.

How Does it Compare to Others and Why?

• Enhanced ankle joint support thanks to stabilizing straps, laces, and an elastic cuff closure
• CoolFlex padding and invisible seam for extra comfort
• Bilateral design
• Made in the USA

How the Product Evolved 

• Available in a hinged model for more flexibility and enhanced comfort

Expert Tip

• Measure your ankle circumference for a correct fit.
• Hand or machine washable

2. Best for Maximum Protection: McDavid Ankle Support Brace 

If you’re looking for the best braces for weak ankles and arthritis, you won’t be disappointed by Mcdavid and their premium quality brace.

Physical Attributes

• Made from polyester
• A ventilated tongue
• Figure-6 strapping pattern
• Adjustable

Quantitative Measurements

• Available in five sizes from small to X-large
• Suitable for moderate to major instabilities 

Benefits 

McDavid’s compression brace is the best for pain relief, inflammation, and ankle swelling due to its supportive design with a 6-figure strap pattern. It has level 3 maximum protection. 

It’s also very light in weight and can be adjusted without unlacing your shoe, which is great for people with arthritis. 

Moreover, it’s made of quality material and is efficient in preventing an acute ankle injury. 

Drawbacks

• Too tight for some users
• Not available in larger than X-large size 

How Does It Compare to Others and Why

• Easy to adjust without unlacing
• Reinforced closures for a snug fit and a maximum level of compression 
• According to studies, athletes who didn’t wear McDavid brace had “a rate of injury nearly three times higher than those who wore the brace.”

How the Product Evolved

• Upgraded material from neoprene to polyester
• Level 3 protection 

Expert Tips 

• The laces are replaceable, so don’t worry if they wear down. 

3. Best for Comfort: Incrediwear Ankle Sleeve

Incrediwear’s product is the ideal choice for managing arthritic pain and speeding the healing process when treating acute injuries. 

Physical Attributes

• Anti-inflammatory, form-fitting fabric
• Embedded semiconductor elements
• Breathable 

 Quantitative Measurements

• Available in three sizes – small/medium, large and extra large
• Suitable also for ligament injuries, joint pain, tendonitis, and Plantar Fasciitis

Benefits

Incrediwear’s soft brace is great for arthritis because it increases blood flow to the injured area to reduce foot pains and swelling. It also speeds up the healing process in acute injuries. 

The sleeve is made from breathable material that wicks moisture to keep your foot sweat-free. It’s also soft and comfortable, doesn’t irritate the skin, and is easy to put on/off.   

Drawbacks

• Not the cheapest option
• Best for mild to moderate pain and injuries  

How Does it Compare to Others and Why

• You can wear the Incrediwear compression sleeve 24/7 without any side effects.
• Aids in post-surgery recovery and enhances the body’s natural healing.
• Decreases the risk of future injuries in active people.

 How the Product Evolved

• Available in a sock model for improving blood circulation and reducing muscle fatigue. 

Expert Tip

• Incrediwear’s knee braces are also very effective for dealing with arthritis pain. 
• You can wash the sleeve with warm or cold water. 

4. Best for the Elderly: TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve

For elderly people who can’t handle laces and straps, TechWare has an excellent compression sleeve for ankle pain. 

Physical Attributes

• Made from lightweight nylon and spandex with arch support 
• Breathable
• Moisture-wicking fabric 
• Available in eight colors

Quantitative Measurements

• Available in three sizes – S/M, L/XL, and XX-Large
• Suitable for heel pain, joint pain, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis      

Benefits 

• Maximum compression to minimize heel pain without loss of mobility during exercises
• Improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation
• Easy to put on/off
• Slim design that fits most shoes and works well with ankle support shoes for the elderly 

Drawbacks 

• Size runs smaller than the provided sizing chart
• Not the best choice for major ankle instability 

How Does it Compare to Others and Why

• Made from breathable material for maximum air circulation and comfort
• Lightweight design 

How the Product Evolved

• Available as a therapy-grade compression sock with a reinforced heel. 

Expert Tip

• Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to select the right brace size. 

5. Best Budget-Friendly: IRUFA Adjustable Ankle Wrap

IRUFA is an excellent choice for reducing arthritic pain and improving foot stability for people on a tight budget.

 Physical Attributes

• Made from hypo-allergenic spacer fabric
• Air cushion effect
• Breathable 
• Open-heel design

 Quantitative Measurements 

• Available in three sizes – S/M, Large, and X-Large
• Best for acute and chronic injuries, plantar fasciitis, sprained ankle, strains, torn tendons

Benefits

• Medical grade compression for maximum pain relief and injury prevention 
• Made from lightweight, breathable material with an open-heel design for adequate air circulation
• A great choice for athletes and active people who need additional foot stability
• Slim design that fits into most shoes  

Drawbacks 

• Some customers note that the strap is too short to be useful. 
• The sizing chart might be off

How Does It Compare to Others and Why

• Innovative design with an air cushion effect, 3D breathability, and medical-grade compression
• Can be worn for a prolonged period of time 

How the Product Evolved

• Available in two models with different lengths 

Expert Tip 

• The wrap isn’t waterproof, but it’s machine-washable. 

FAQs

Conclusion

Braces, wraps, and compression sleeves are great for managing arthritic pain and getting you back on your feet. They aren’t a cure, but they can improve your quality of life. 

Just keep in mind that braces are most effective when used in combination with other treatments, such as physical therapy.

References

• “Arthritis.” 2021. 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/caring/
• John, Shine, and Frank Bongiovanni. 2009. “Brace Management for Ankle Arthritis.” Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery 26 (2): 193–97. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19389593/
• McDavid. 2011. “Study Proves McDavid Ankle Braces Significantly Prevent Injuries.” Prnewswire.com. July 21, 2011. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3213051/

What do you think about these 5 best ankle braces for arthritis? Have you ever used one to deal with pain and stiffness? Share your experience in the comments.