A laced ankle brace, which can be soft-sided or semi-rigid, uses a system of laces to deliver customized compression and mechanical support to the ankle joint. This design provides superior stability by allowing the user to precisely control the tension across the foot and ankle, unlike a simple slip-on sleeve. The brace is utilized both for injury prevention during high-risk activities and as a structured component of rehabilitation following an ankle sprain or strain. Learning the correct application method ensures the brace functions as intended, providing maximum stability while avoiding circulatory compromise.
Preparing the Brace and Foot
Before applying the brace, the foot must be positioned in a neutral, weight-bearing-ready posture, ideally at a 90-degree angle relative to the lower leg. This dorsiflexed position ensures the brace is secured with the joint in its functional alignment, preventing discomfort or improper fit when the wearer stands. The initial step involves fully loosening the laces, pulling them out of the top eyelets until the brace opens wide.
The foot should slide into the brace until the heel is firmly seated in the cut-out at the back, known as the heel pocket. Confirm the tongue of the brace is centered and lying flat against the top of the foot and ankle to prevent painful bunching or pressure points once the laces are tightened. Wearing a thin, moisture-wicking sock underneath is recommended to reduce skin irritation and chafing.
Step-by-Step Lacing and Securing
The actual lacing process should begin at the bottom-most eyelets, closest to the toes, to establish the initial tension across the forefoot. Start by gently pulling the laces to remove all slack, ensuring the material of the brace hugs the foot without causing discomfort. From there, continue the standard criss-cross lacing pattern, working sequentially up the brace toward the ankle.
The technique for achieving tension involves pulling the laces firmly and evenly across each set of eyelets. Instead of pulling straight up, pull the laces slightly outward from the center to distribute the tension uniformly across the instep and around the sides of the ankle. Uniform compression is the defining benefit of a laced brace, as it helps to limit excessive movement of the talocrural and subtalar joints. Avoid excessive tightness directly over the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle, which can cause irritation or restrict movement.
Once the main lacing is complete, the laces should be tied securely, typically with a double knot, at the top of the brace. Many semi-rigid laced braces feature two non-elastic straps, often called figure-eight or stirrup straps, which are applied after the laces are secured. These straps mimic the mechanical restriction of athletic taping.
The straps wrap around the ankle joint in a figure-eight pattern, crossing over the instep, passing under the arch, and securing to the sides of the brace. Applying the figure-eight straps with a firm pull provides an additional layer of mechanical compression, which is the primary mechanism for preventing inversion and eversion ankle sprains. The straps lock the heel into the brace, significantly reducing the side-to-side instability. The application sequence finishes with a wide, circumferential strap, if present, which wraps around the top of the ankle to cover the laces and secure all components of the brace.
Checking for Optimal Support and Fit
After the brace is fully secured, a careful assessment of the fit is necessary to ensure both efficacy and safety. The brace should feel snug enough to restrict unwanted lateral movement—the side-to-side motion that causes ankle rolls—while still permitting comfortable forward and backward motion of the foot. A simple test involves trying to manually invert or evert the foot; the brace should offer immediate, noticeable resistance.
Signs of an improperly tightened brace include both excessive looseness and excessive tightness, each carrying risks. If the brace is too loose, visible gapping or shifting will occur when walking, meaning the joint is not adequately stabilized for injury prevention. Conversely, a brace that is too tight can impede circulation, which may manifest as numbness, tingling, or a visible change in the color of the toes. Any sign of circulatory compromise requires immediate removal and reapplication with reduced tension.
The final check involves walking for a few minutes, as the material of the brace may settle and the initial tension can change. If the fit has loosened, the laces and figure-eight straps should be adjusted to restore the optimal level of compression. The goal is to achieve firm, uniform support that is comfortable for extended wear but restrictive enough to provide stability.