One of the most common injuries in basketball or sports, in general, is ankle sprains. Once you sprain it the first time, it is easier to sprain it repeatedly.
Last year, I rolled my ankle during a basketball rec game. It was a mild sprain at first, but when I returned a couple of weeks later, I sprained it again, and this time it was much worse.
While rehabbing my ankle, I went brace shopping to prevent these sprains in the future.
Initially, I went to Walmart and picked up the cheap soft brace. I quickly realized that this brace’s support was next to none and wouldn’t help me in a basketball game.
So I did the next logical step, start researching.
Ankle Brace Worn By Steph Curry
I’m a basketball fanatic, and when Steph Curry came into the league, he suffered a ton of ankle sprains. He had all the talent in the world but couldn’t stay on the court because of it. Even after his ankle surgery, he still repeatedly rolled his ankles.
Without correcting his ankle issues, he would never have become one of the greatest shooters the NBA has ever seen and the all-time 3pt makes leader.
How did he fix his ankle issues for good? It was a combination of him working on his ankles and muscle strengthening exercises and finding the ultimate brace, the Zamst A2-DX.
I thought I’d give it a shot. If it’s good enough for Curry, it’s good enough for me. He plays top-level basketball and has no problem wearing them every time he steps on the court.
It’s not the simplest ankle brace to put on, but once you get the hang of it, it’s quick and easy.
Here’s a tutorial video of how to put the Zamst A2 DX ankle brace on:
My initial thoughts
The Zamst A2-DX is very supportive yet allows you to retain maximum mobility. The rigid plastic plates on both sides stop your ankle from rolling. About two weeks after rolling my ankle, I got back on the court and wore these without feeling worried about twisting my ankles again. There was occasional pain when I made a sharp cut to the basket, but I never reinjured my ankle.
After fully recovered
I fully recovered from my last ankle sprain in about four weeks. During the final two weeks of my recovery, I was playing basketball with the Zamst A2 DX. I had no setbacks, and it continually improved even while playing games. I’m not advising playing with a sprained ankle. Even with the Zamst A2 DX, everyone is different and heals differently. It’s always better to play it safe than sorry when it comes to your health.
This ankle brace (Zamst A2-DX) is the best I’ve ever used! I bought one for each ankle, even though I’ve never sprained my right ankle. It’s worth the protection and peace of mind. My left ankle sprain is a thing of the past, but I still wear these ankle braces every time I play sports.
This brace is so good that I got many of my gym friends to buy these.
Drawbacks
While I’m extremely pleased with this brace, it isn’t without a few minor drawbacks.
- DISCOMFORT IF PUT ON TOO TIGHT – Overall, this brace feels good, but I’ve noticed that when I put it on too tight or the side plate isn’t placed right on my ankle bone, then it can cause some discomfort. The discomfort goes away as soon as I readjust it.
- HARD TO PUT ON (SOMETIMES) – There was a slight learning curve to putting this brace on, and while I’ve mostly mastered it, some days, when I throw it in my gym bag without paying attention, it takes a bit more time to get it right.
- CAN START TO STINK – Throwing this brace in my gym back after a sweaty basketball game leads to it starting to stink in no time! There are two ways to combat this: (1.) Throw it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle (not sure if that’s recommended). (2.) Keep a can of Lysol® Disinfectant Spray handy and spray it when you notice the smell.
- THIS ISN’T A ONE SIZE FITS ALL BRACE – I don’t necessarily think this is a drawback, but it’s something to be mindful of. Make sure you pay attention to the sizing because you don’t want to get an ankle brace that’s too small or big for you. Protection and comfort will be at risk if you do.
- ON THE SPENDY SIDE – This isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for, and the cost of getting this ankle brace far outweighs the time and pain of spraining an ankle (or worse), IMO.
What’s the purpose of an ankle brace?
A good ankle brace provides stability to the ankle joint and helps prevent your ankle from twisting again. Ankle braces can also relieve pain if you have an existing sprain and help you get back to daily life or your sport faster.
Heal time for a sprained / twisted ankle?
The heal time of a strained or twisted ankle will mostly depend on the severity of the sprain. A very mild sprain can heal in as little as two weeks. For something more severe, like a grade 3 sprain, it can take up to 12 weeks to fully recover, and that’s without reinjuring. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation are a must for efficient healing.
Sprained ankle vs Break – How to tell the difference?
What’s the difference between a broken and sprained ankle? If your ankle looks a little off or abnormal/deformed, it’s probably broken, and you should go in and get an x-ray. Other signs that can indicate a break instead of a sprain; the pain is constant and doesn’t get better in different positions.
Does a sprained ankle bruise?
Sometimes. My sprained ankle didn’t bruise, but I know many people have bruising when their ankle gets rolled. It also can depend on the severity of the sprain. Bruising and swelling are common.
What ankle brace does Steph Curry wear?
As I mentioned earlier, Steph Curry wears the Zamst A2-DX ankle brace. It’s the best ankle brace I have ever used. The brace provides excellent support to the ankle while still allowing for maximum mobility, thanks to its rigid plastic plates on both sides that prevent the ankle from rolling. Although it may take some getting used to when putting on the brace, once you get the hang of it, it’s quick and easy. If it’s good enough for a top-level basketball player like Steph Curry, who suffered from numerous ankle sprains early in his career, it’s definitely good enough for anyone looking to protect their ankles while playing sports.
How much does this Zamst ankle brace cost?
While you can pick up many different ankle braces for cheaper, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another one that can match the performance and protection of the A2-DX. At the moment, the price is $69.99 each. They are worth every penny at that cost.
