The Best Ankle Braces for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis can get in the way of your work and play. Most cases can be healed by resting but if you’re like me, you might find that hard to do!

Ankle braces allow you to keep playing while providing the support you need. It’s important to get equipment to help you heal as efficiently as possible.

The Best Ankle Braces for Plantar Fasciitis:

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Before our recommendations, let’s do a quick check: what is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is swelling or tearing of the tissue that connects your heel to your toes. This tissue absorbs pressure from walking or running–like the shocks in your car.

That sharp pain is worse in the morning or after long periods of sitting because your body repairs these tears while the foot is resting. Those first few steps stretch the freshly-healed tissue and tear it up, putting you back at square one again.

Will ankle braces help plantar fasciitis?

Most cases of plantar fasciitis are healed by gentle stretching and resting. Unfortunately, if you have an active job or lifestyle, this can be difficult to manage.

While ankle braces alone aren’t a fix for plantar fasciitis, they can ease its symptoms. Ankle braces provide support so the arches aren’t absorbing shocks from your movements on their own.

Braces also keep your feet extended while sitting, which allows the tissue to mend in this position instead of in the “at rest” position. Then, when you stand, you won’t stretch the freshly-healed tissues and get that painful jolt first thing in the morning.

Best Ankle Braces for Plantar Fasciitis

Here are some recommendations for braces to provide foot and ankle support for plantar fasciitis, and some pros and cons to consider before trying one out.

1. SS Sleeve Stars Ankle Brace for Plantar Fasciitis Relief

These braces are specifically designed to ease the discomfort of plantar fasciitis. They slip on like a sock and come with a strap to wrap beneath your arches and around your ankle for added support. They are adjustable to fit your preferred compression

Made from polyester, elastic rubber, and nylon, these braces are lightweight and breathable. They are “one size fits all” and can be worn on the left or right foot. They’re great for wearing both around the house and on the court.

One downside of these braces is that they wear out quickly. If you’re wearing them frequently and washing them after intense exercise, you might notice the fabric starting to fray or loosen.

Pros: affordable, breathable, sweat-absorbant, fit under socks and shoes, good support

Cons: wear out easily, loosen over time, one size fits all

SS Sleeve Stars Ankle Brace for Plantar Fasciitis Relief

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2. BIOSKIN TriLok Ankle Brace

These ankle braces are used to alleviate pain for many ankle and foot injuries and include an additional support strap for plantar fasciitis specifically. The straps mimic your tendons’ structure to provide stability for a safe range of motions.

These braces are made from hypo-allergenic materials. They can be worn on the left or right foot, but you will need to measure your arch and just above the ankle to find your correct size. If you are between sizes, size up and use the straps to make them tighter.

These braces reach higher than most, which provide additional support but can be difficult to maneuver when putting them on. They are also more expensive than other braces of this kind.

Pros: extra support, size options, hypo-allergenic

Cons: difficult to maneuver, price, bulkier straps

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3. Aircast AirHeel Ankle Support Brace

These ankle braces use 2 interconnected air cells beneath the arch of your foot and behind your Achilles tendon to provide support and enhance circulation. These air cells alternately pulsate to match your movements and minimize tendon strain.

Made from spandex and nylon, these braces are breathable and lightweight enough to be worn beneath most socks and athletic shoes. They can be worn on the left or right foot, and come in small, medium, or large sizes. You can also have an option of with or without stabilizers. The stabilizers are plastic strips placed vertically for extra support.

These ankle braces are meant specifically for easing the discomforts of tendonitis and plantar fasciitis and do not provide much ankle support. Also, the air cells may deflate over time and might need to be replaced used for frequent and rigorous exercise.

Pros: size options, gentle support, cushioning

Cons: less ankle support, can be uncomfortable without a sock, wear out quickly

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4. Zensah Ankle Support

These ankle braces are straightforward–just slip them on and go! Without any extra straps, these braces are made with textured ribbing for pain relief in the ankle and arches. These braces feature built-in graduated compression to encourage circulation without having to adjust straps.

These supports are made from nylon and spandex for a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric to keep your feet dry. The interior is seamless to minimize chafing or discomfort. They come in small, medium, or large sizes and can be worn on either foot.

While these braces are durable, they don’t have any additional straps and so may feel looser and thinner than other options. If you have intense plantar fasciitis, this support may provide only minimal pain relief.

Pros: easy to wear, lightweight, comfortable, durable

Cons: less support, non-adjustable

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5. BLITZU Neuropathy Compression Ankle Socks

These compression socks mimic the techniques that athletic trainers use to wrap athletic tape, but without the hassle. They use graduated compression to reduce swelling while still supporting the arch.

These socks are made of nylon without any additional straps. They are simple to slip on and go, and fit beneath most shoes and socks. They are sold in pairs and come in small/medium, large/X-large, and 2X-large sizes. You can use your shoe size or measure your ankle circumference for the best results.

The lack of additional straps makes for convenient wearing but reduces the support for your aches and pain relief.

Pros: affordable, sold in pairs, size options

Cons: non-adjustable, minimal arch support, run small

BLITZU Neuropathy Compression Ankle Socks

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Final Thoughts

It is entirely possible to remain active while dealing with plantar fasciitis. Wearing an ankle brace can reduce the strain on your arches to minimize your discomfort and aid the healing process.

The five options above are all great, but the ultimate choice is yours. Consider your level of activity and the severity of your plantar fasciitis. Make sure your brace fits your lifestyle and gives you the support you need to be back at full strength on the court sooner!

Will ankle brace cause my ankles to weaken?

There is a common misconception that wearing an ankle brace will cause weakness due to the lack of use, but this is not actually true. Wearing a brace will not prevent the muscles surrounding the ankle from getting stronger, and there is no evidence that they are weaker after wearing it during the season.

What happens if plantar fasciitis is left untreated?

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can create other problems throughout the body. Heel pain can cause an imbalance in the way you walk, which may result in back pain or pain in other areas of the body.

Is it good to go walking with plantar fasciitis?

Most people with plantar fasciitis notice that the pain can be relieved when they walk or stand up after being inactive for a long time, because the ligament stretches out. However, the pain gradually increases throughout the day and becomes quite uncomfortable, especially when doing normal daily activities.

Gina Wayland

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