Editor’s note: If you play volleyball, eventually you will sprain an ankle. It’s not if but when. So we asked Dr. Chris Koutures, who writes regularly for VolleyballMag.com, to take on ankles.

By Dr. Chris Koutures for VolleyballMag.com

There’s little doubt that ankle sprains are the most common acute injury in indoor volleyball. The debate typically begins when making recommendations either for or against the use of volleyball ankle braces.

I’m going to review this subject by first listing some studies about volleyball ankle braces. More importantly, I will tap the awesome collective wisdom of my USA Volleyball sports medicine colleagues Aaron Brock, ATC and Jill Wosmek, ATC. Aaron works with men’s national teams and Jill was with the women’s for two Olympic cycles.

I am not going to review ankle taping, since many athletes do not have access to proper ankle tape applications by athletic trainers. Also, even when taping is done well, the most protective effect is lost after 30 minutes of application.

The majority of ankle sprains occur when the ankle inverts (rolls in). This most often occurs with play at the net where athletes make contact with another player’s foot when landing from a jump. 

The theory behind volleyball ankle braces is to reduce abnormal ankle motion. Some professionals fear that depending on volleyball ankle braces might weaken lower leg muscles and increase knee injury risk.

I do not endorse or have any investment in particular types of volleyball ankle braces. I will only list particular brands and makers if they were mentioned in studies. All expressed opinions are our own.  They do not represent official policy of USA Volleyball or any other group or employer.

What does the medical literature say about volleyball ankle braces?

What do my expert volleyball medicine colleagues have to add about volleyball ankle braces?

As director of sports medicine and performance and head men’s athletic trainer for USA Volleyball, Aaron Brock has the following insight:

As the former head trainer for the USA women’s national team, Jill Wosmek offers her professional recommendations:

Does this information make you more or less interested in using volleyball ankle braces to reduce the risk of ankle sprains?

How to approach a volleyball ankle injury

Despite using tape or a brace (or not), landing on an opponent’s foot at the net or landing wrong after a bad jump causes an ankle to roll and pop.

What are some sensible steps to keep in mind when dealing with a volleyball ankle injury?

Dr. Chris Koutures is a dual board-certified pediatric and sports medicine specialist who practices at ActiveKidMD in Anaheim Hills, CA. He is a team physician for USA Volleyball (including participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics), the U.S. Figure Skating Sports Medicine Network, Cal State Fullerton Intercollegiate Athletics, Chapman University Dance Department, and Orange Lutheran High School. He offers a comprehensive blend of general pediatric and sport medicine care with an individualized approach to each patient and family. Please visit activekidmd.com or follow him on twitter (@dockoutures).

[…] For more information on ankle braces in volleyball, read my July, 2019 blog post on Volleyballmag.com […]

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