Ankle Support For Rugby
Rugby is a high contact sport that can cause serious injuries to some parts of your body, including your ankles. The most common ankle injuries in rugby may include inversion ankle sprains, ankle fractures, metatarsal fractures, Lisfranc fractures, and more. An inversion ankle sprain occurs due to overstretching of the connecting tissues and when the ankle rolls inward. A direct fall or collision can cause an ankle fracture.
Some radiological tests, such as X-rays and MRIs, will help determine the extent of the damage. The initial treatment may include some conservative measures: plenty of rest, ice massage, compression, physiotherapy, and over-the-counter medications. In case of stress fractures, your GP will suggest potential surgical treatments.
It is advisable to wear ankle supports to protect your ankles from stretching and overloading. Professional trainers allow wearing ankle supports as long as you play on the field. To wear ankle supports following an ankle injury, you need to wear them for your healthcare provider’s prescribed amount of time.
Ankle supports are of different kinds according to individuals’ needs. You can find lace-ups, hinged, and hinged cuff ankle supports. Lace-up ankle supports are made up of fabric that may or may not wrap around straps. Hinged ankle supports are semi-rigid plastic shells with wrap-around straps; however, hinged cuff ankle supports can be flexible or semi-rigid shells with straps.
As well as this, professional rugby trainers also come up with some effective preventive measures to avoid the chances of ankle injuries on the rugby field. Warming up your body is the primary measure; however, you should also perform some stretching exercises regularly to keep your ankle or foot flexible.
Ankle supports are also different according to their sizes, materials, and support level. It is better to take your healthcare providers’ help to choose the right product for you. 360 Relief provides you with the best ankle support to help manage your ankle pain.
Rugby players may face the following ankle injuries:
- Inversion Ankle Sprain (Occurs when the ankle rolls inwards and connecting tissues within the ankle joints get stretched)
- Ankle Fracture (When one or more bones in the ankle get fractured)
- Metatarsal Fracture (Breakage of one of the metatarsal bones of the foot)
- Lisfranc Fracture (Torn ligaments or broken bones in the midfoot area)
Ankle braces are external supports that limit certain motions, including plantar flexion, to speed up the recovery process. They also confirm whether the ankle joints are in space or not.
Wearing ankle supports can reduce the chances of ankle sprains while playing Rugby. Once a player suffers from an ankle injury during the game, they must wear ankle supports because they are five times more likely to have recurring ankle sprains.
Experts suggest wearing ankle supports under socks for maximum compressions and pain relief. But if you feel uncomfortable, you can wear athletic socks under the ankle supports.
Ankle bracing can be a perfect preventative accessory you may use while playing Rugby or even during your daily routine. But overuse of an ankle brace can be harmful because it can affect the balance and strength of your ankles.