Ankle compression sleeves are great for injuries and taking care of sprained ankles. They provide extra support and comfort to the foot. However, you might have a hard time buying the right one for yourself if you do not know what features to look for when going ankle compression sleeve shopping. With our comprehensive buying guide, you can pick the best one for your ankles.
Why Should You Wear an Ankle Compression Sleeve?
Here are some of the most important reasons for wearing an ankle compression sleeve:
Gets your blood flowing
By compressing the muscle and ankle region with subtle pressure, ankle compression sleeves promote the flow of blood in the area. They are mostly used by people who have injured their ankles or athletes that need ankle support.
Wearing an ankle compression sleeve helps blood flow through vessels better, enabling efficient activity of the muscles around the ankle. Furthermore, increased blood flow promotes and directly affects the overall health of a person’s ankles positively. This is one of the reasons why compression sleeves are predominantly used during exercise and physical activity.
Decreases swelling
Ankle compresses can be used to heal injuries around the ankle. The ankle often swells up when it is sprained or the area around it is damaged. This may result in difficulty and pain whenever the area is used in movement, causing hindrance in a person’s daily routine.
Ankle compression sleeves effectively reduce the pain and swelling and heal the injury by encouraging absorption of fluid buildup in the inflamed area. They visibly reduce the appearance of swelling in an injury as well.
Prevents injuries
Ankle compression sleeves can also help protect one’s ankles from injury, especially if they are actively playing sports. Wearing this sleeve is helpful as it keeps the ankle safe when someone falls or twists their ankle. It helps keep the bone in place and reduces the chances of dislocating it.
Improves mobility
There are many injuries and conditions that can limit the mobility of your foot in many ways. An ankle compression sleeve acts like foot support that enhances your foot’s range of movement. This in turn allows the user to have better control over their foot and rehabilitate existing conditions.
Size of the Ankle Compression Sleeve
Size is an important factor to consider when you’re buying ankle compression sleeves. Since these sleeves follow the principle of compression therapy, they promote blood flow by applying constant but subtle pressure on the ankle. If that pressure is more than or less than that which is required, it may be ineffective, or may even cause more harm than benefit.
Normally, you would want the size of your ankle compression sleeve to match the size of your foot. However, not all companies manufacture a big range of sizes that suit all feet. Therefore, make sure that you choose a size that neither constricts your ankle too much nor is so loose that there is no compression.
If you cannot find the perfect size according to your foot, go for the size that is bigger instead of the one that is smaller. A size that is too small or tight may create more pressure than intended and either end up becoming uncomfortable or too painful to wear. Whereas, a larger size will still do its job effectively with no harm caused.
Length of the Ankle Compression Sleeve
Just like the size, the length is an essential factor when it comes to buying an ankle compression sleeve. Most sleeves are designed to cover the overall ankle area but they may differ in size from one another.
Several ankle compression sleeves resemble normal socks, ending just above the ankle joint while others may be longer and extend to the mid-shin region. The longer the sleeves, the more area it covers and applies pressure on, some even compressing parts of your leg.
For those who specifically want to use the sleeve for just their ankle area, the extended pressure may not be what you want while others may prefer it. Hence the length of the compression sleeves depends entirely on the buyer’s preference.
Types of Ankle Compression Sleeves
Sock sleeves
They are one of the most common types of compression sleeves where an individual wears them like a typical sock. They are comfortable and easy to put on, being ideal to wear with slightly tight-fitting shoes. However, there is a downside: you can’t adjust the tightness of these sleeves and will have to put up with their standard fitting.
Wraps
Compared to sock sleeves, wraps are a more professional type of ankle compression sleeve. You put them on by wrapping the straps of the sleeve around your ankle. This provides a fitting that can be customized specifically to suit the person wearing it.
This type of ankle compression sleeve is ideal for those who want to adjust the tightness around a specific area. Most people prefer this type of ankle compression sock as they can adjust the level of pressure it exerts on their ankle and they can find a comfortable fit as per their needs.
