What is an Ankle Stabilising Orthosis?
An ASO ankle brace is a specific type of ankle brace. ASO stands for Ankle Stabilising Orthosis. It is fastened to the ankle using laces and straps.
The brace is commonly used for ankle injuries, ankle instability and for those seeking to prevent injury and reinjury when returning to sport or work.
The ASO ankle brace works on a figure 8 strapping system, which allows the patient and clinician to lock the ankle into a stable position and limit unwanted amounts of pronation and supination.
They are simple to apply and are more effective than taping your ankles for sport, as tape will ‘creep’ after a short period and no longer be effective.
ASO Assessment
Orthotics Plus provides assessments and treatments of the ankle, where we may consider recommending an ASO to help our patients with their individual goals, which usually relate to pain management and increased safety.
Our ankle related services are available at two locations in Melbourne: Malvern & Heidelberg.
An ASO fitting is a same-day service as we stock the products in-house. We do not charge an assessment fee for this product when referred or if the patient simply wishes to purchase the product without a consultation and assessment.
How Does an ASO Work?
We describe an ASO as a combination of a lace-up ankle brace combined with an ankle strapping system.
The straps bind the ankle in a figure-eight pattern, akin to taping one’s ankle. The resistance serves to lock a foot/ankle in a neutral position.
ASOs are designed to prevent excessive pronation and supination of the ankle.
At Orthotics Plus, we believe that the ASO is very effective at achieving its objective, particularly the supination component.
Who is an ASO Suitable For?
ASOs are considered for mild to moderate ankle conditions.
An ASO is both an injury prevention and injury minimisation Orthoses.
ASOs are used by people who are seeking to prevent ankle injuries (or recurring injuries) when playing sports like basketball, soccer and netball. They are also suitable for those with general ankle instability in daily life.
In rare cases, we have used ASOs post ankle reconstruction and also for peroneals tendinopathy, where the opposing force serves to reduce strain on the peroneal tendons.
ASOs can be effective for those seeking to keep their feet in a nice, neutral position, where they are less likely to roll their ankle.
Ankle Stabilising Orthoses FAQ
This varies depending on the patient.
For people who have had a lateral ankle injury playing sport, we would suggest wearing the brace while they’re playing sport for as long as they can or would like to.
This is because there is good evidence that an ASO does reduce the risk of reinjury.
The answer to this is variable and depends on factors such as
- The degree of the injury
- Which body parts are injured
- Pain levels
- Rehabilitation programming
In our experience, the average ankle injury heals between 2-12 weeks, with 6-8 weeks being the average.
Please work with your relevant healthcare professional for clearance to return to sport.
No, an ASO should not affect your gait. They are a light-weight Orthoses.
The design of an ASO is more focused to control excessive damaging movement of an ankle, opposed to the up/down motions.
As such, we see a lot of people successfully playing sport, walking, jumping and changing direction in an ASO without any problems.
A sprain is a generalised term for an injury or trauma to the ankle.
Orthotics Plus suggests the most common injuries relate to the lateral side (outside) of the ankle caused by an inversion injury (typically damaging the anterior tibiofibular, calcaneofibular and talofibular ligaments).
A mild ankle sprain could be a mild stretch or partial tear to just one ligament. A severe sprain could be three ligaments tearing partially or completely.
There is also a high ligament sprain, which is a syndesmosis injury, which is severe and requires orthopedic attention straight away.
We recommend that people consider purchasing an ASO through an Orthotist to receive holistic healthcare.
Ensuring the sizing is correct, the patient is educated on the most effective use and advising the patient on correct footwear and other interventions are part of the added service when visiting one of our clinics.
Orthotics Plus believes in choice and transparency. It is acknowledged that an ASO is a product that can be purchased independently from Orthotics Plus. Our service is suitable for those:
- Who want to undergo a comprehensive assessment
- Who want a professional fitting service
- Who want to see a range of ankle braces
- Who want detailed instructions
- Who want to healthcare professionals involved in the management of their rehabilitation