Is It Good To Wear Ankle Brace When You Have Foot Arthritis?

Q: How many hours a day should you wear an ankle brace?

Always wear a brace while doing everyday activities to restrict movement and avoid future injuries.

Is it good to wear an ankle brace when you have foot arthritis?

Ankle osteoarthritis is described as swelling in the joints. Inflammation due to arthritis may reduce one’s range of movement and affect one’s quality of life.

So it is better to treat arthritis pain as soon as possible.

We will try our best to answer all your questions in this article. So keep reading!

Don’t forget to check our review of the best ankle brace support stabilizer!

Table of Contents

Is it Good to Wear an Ankle Brace When You Have Foot Arthritis?

Your doctor or your physical therapist may prescribe alternative treatments to address your pain and limited movement when you’re diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. One good approach is to wear a brace.

4 Types of Arthritis

One needs to know the nature of their ankle discomfort because some varieties of arthritis require specific treatments and medications. Some of the more common types of ankle arthritis are detailed here.

#1 Osteoarthritis

It is caused by normal joint wear and tear as we age. It is a condition where the cartilage that cushions a joint eventually wears away. This type of arthritis can develop from the previous injury and directly damage cartilage or alter the ankle joint’s function.

#2 Post-traumatic arthritis

It arises in the foot after an accident, even if it occurred years ago. This can cause early joint pain and deterioration.

#3 Rheumatoid arthritis

It affects your ankle joints. Antibodies produced by the body’s immune system cause Rheumatoid Arthritis.

#4 Gout

develops when one’s diet contains high amounts of uric acid. This irritates joints, causing discomfort and swelling in the big toe and other joints, such as the ankles.

When do you need to wear a brace for an ankle sprain? Check out this video:

Treatment of Arthritis

The following treatments and remedies for arthritis can be used based on your foot and ankle injury to help you improve your range of motion in daily living:

Joint steroid injections
Anti-inflammatories for swelling
Pain relievers
Shoe pads or arch supports
Support canes or braces
Shoe inserts (orthotics) for ankle and foot support
Physical therapy
Custom-fit comfortable shoes
Ankle replacement
For severe pain: consult with a health professional for surgical treatment (e.g., ankle fusion surgery)

Check the video below if you want to know the causes of arthritis in the foot and ankle:

Check: Best Ankle Support Shoes for the Elderly

Ankle Brace for Foot Arthritis

Those who live actively and engage in high-impact activities may often seek pain relief solutions.

Wearing assistive devices like an effective brace to alleviate foot swelling and inflammation as well as to keep the area immobilized.

Related: Should I Wear an Ankle Brace to Bed? Check out this video:

Can a Brace Make Foot Arthritis Worse?

There are certain points the brace can make you feel uncomfortable. This is why it is important to know the cause of your Osteoarthritis.

man putting on an ankle brace to his right foot

Here are some points you need to know before wearing a brace.

Different Types of Braces to Treat OA

Different kinds of braces are available, and not all of them are suited for persons with OA.

Prophylactic braces are protective devices that help protect people from injury, especially when engaging in a wide range of activities.
Functional/supportive braces provide the support you need for your injured joint.
Rehabilitative braces restrict ankle motion or the movement of the joint in order to allow it to heal.
Unloader or offloader is commonly used for people with arthritis to lighten the extra weight on crucial regions.

Moreover, wearing a brace varies depending on the location of your body injury. It is highly recommended to consult with a medical professional first and request a physical examination.

Drawbacks of Using an Ankle Brace

Ankle braces may not be an effective choice for people with arthritis. According to a trusted source, other people feel uncomfortable wearing one and interferes with their daily activities because of its extra weight that makes them feel thick and cumbersome.

People also experience skin irritation due to an ill-fitting brace that causes friction to the skin. Moreover, while braces can help prevent joint swelling, some people suffer from it as a side effect that makes the pain worse.

How to Prevent Ankle Pain?

Here are some tips to prevent your ankle pain:

Keep a healthy weight. Extra weight puts strain on joints.
Strengthen your muscles to improve support on your ankles and lower the risk of injury.
If the discomfort persists while doing an activity, stop. See a health professional if the pain exacerbates.

an athlete holding her sprained ankle but when to wear a brace for ankle sprain?

Benefits of Wearing a Brace

Wearing braces is a nonsurgical treatment for ankle osteoarthritis patients. Ankle braces are designed to transfer weight away from the injured area of your joint, reducing pain and discomfort.

Some braces provide compression that can help reduce swelling and relieve pressure. Having extra support in your daily life also boosts your confidence.

Check this video for some handy tips on wearing an ankle brace with shoes.

FAQs

How many hours a day should you wear an ankle brace?

Always wear a brace while doing everyday activities to restrict movement and avoid future injuries.

Should I wear an ankle brace while walking?

Yes. An ankle brace must be worn while walking to assist repair an injury.

Conclusion

Ankle discomfort is associated with several injuries and medical disorders. It is commonly experienced with osteoarthritis or foot arthritis.

There are treatments you can do at home to speed the recovery of injuries, like wearing ankle braces for arthritis to help you get back on your feet without invasive treatments.

However, if pain persists for days, consult with your healthcare professional.

References

Feintuch, Stacey. 2019. “Arthritis in the Ankle: Treatments, Exercises, and Home Remedies.” CreakyJoints. June 11, 2019. https://creakyjoints.org/symptoms/arthritis-in-ankle/.
https://www.facebook.com/WebMD. 2008. “Arthritis in Foot and Ankle.” WebMD. WebMD. August 7, 2008. https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/foot-ankle-osteoarthritis.
Mushtaq, Saulat, Rabeea Choudhary, and Carla R. Scanzello. 2011. “Non-Surgical Treatment of Osteoarthritis-Related Pain in the Elderly.” Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 4 (3): 113–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-011-9084-9.
Nall, Rachel. 2017. “What Is the Best Type of Brace to Treat OA Pain?” Healthline. Healthline Media. February 9, 2017. https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-osteoarthritis-braces#brace-types.

“Is it Good to Wear Ankle Brace When You Have Foot Arthritis?” We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below!

Should You Wear an Ankle Brace if You Have Foot Arthritis?