How to Use an Ankle Brace for Injury Recovery

by Dr. Joel W. Brook
Dr. Joel Brook is a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Dallas Podiatry Works in TX.

“Hi, my name is Taylor, I’m one of the medical assistants, and today I’m going to show you how to apply your ankle brace.

It looks a lot more complicated than it really is. You’re going to un-velcro everything. You’ve got one big Velcro that goes here over the middle, you have two on the sides that lace across each other, and then you’ve got a lace down the middle just like a shoe.

You’re going to want to undo the middle lace as much as you possibly can to slip your foot in there.

We use the ankle braces for minor injuries like minor sprains. It stabilizes the foot but still allows you to have some motion, so it’s a bit better than a boot is.

I’m going to slide this over her foot here, and it’s going to go on just like a sock.

Whenever you get the brace on, you want it to sit right up against the arch of her foot here. Make sure the tongue is flat down just like a normal shoe, and then lace it right back up. You want to make sure it’s snug, but not too snug to cut off the circulation. Whenever you’re applying this, make sure your foot is at a 90 degree angle. Keeping it at 90 degrees allows it to make sure that it’s in the right position, because when you stand up your foot is naturally going to be at that 90 degree angle.

I’m going to go ahead and tie this up. These two straps here on the sides, you’ve got two of them that look exactly alike – these are going to crisscross over the ankle brace. You’re going to crisscross over the front here, go underneath the arch, and Velcro up on the side. Same thing with the other one. Cross it the other way, up underneath the arch, and Velcro right on the side of the ankle brace.

This one up here is going to go right around the middle of everything, to keep everything locked in place.

Whenever you do wear an ankle brace, you’re going to want to make sure that you have a wider shoe – it does take up quite a bit of space in there.

Here’s a close-up version of how to properly lace-up the ankle brace.

Once again, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us. Thank you for being one of our patients, and allowing us to be a part of your healthcare team!”

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.