Newsgroups: rec.sport.volleyball
Subject: Ankle supports - Air Casts
From: kuhn@pa881a.inland.com
Date: 6 Nov 92 09:46:44 CDT
Organization: Inland Steel Company, East Chicago, IN
Nntp-Posting-User: kuhn

I turned my right ankle about four weeks ago causing a severe sprain.  I had
an inversion sprain, I turned my ankle inward.  The outside of my foot and an
area from just behind the toes to the ends of my toes turned completely purple.
Two days ater the injury my doctor gave me a perscription for an Air Cast ankle
support.  After wearing the brace for less than a day I was able to start
putting some weight on the ankle.  Within about three or four days I was
walking around without crutches (I still had a very noticable limp though).
You could see exactly where ther brace fit on my ankle because the bruise and
swelling disappeared where the brace fit.  I started to play volleyball again
about three weeks after the injury.  I still had some pain and my ankle was
very weak, but it is getting stronger every day and I hope to be back full 
strength in a few more weeks.

The "Air Cast" ankle support is a great piece of equipment.  Not only does it
help to recover quickly from a ankle injury, but you can continue to use it
while playing volleyball to prevent any future injuries.  And it is comfortable
enough to wear all the time.  

Air Cast is actually the name of the company which makes many different "Air
Casts".  The ankle brace is actually called "stirup brace" with three different
models (sizes) to choose from.  The small model is made for people 5'2" or 
shorter and is to be used for severe injury or chronic instability.  The ankle
trainer model is for people 5'2" - 5'6" with a severe injury and for people 5'2"
and taller with chronic instability problems (frequent ankle injuries).  The
standard model is for people 5'6" and taller with a severe injury.  Also, they
are specific to right or left ankle so you CANNOT buy one and use it on either
ankle.

I am about 5'8" and started out with the "standard" model. The standard model
does restrict ankle movement some, but not to bad.  I found the standard model
to be to big for me, probably because I have very small feet (mens size 7). 
After using the standard for a couple weeks the doctor gave me another
perscription for the ankle trainer model which was a great improvement.  The 
ankle trainer model fits great, is very comfortable and causes virtually no 
restriction.  

The "Cast" or support consists of two hard plastic splints each lined with a
thin air filled "balloon" that also contains some type of foam cushion.  You
can increase or decrease the amount of air in the balloons to your liking
(it is recommended to not mess with the amount of air because they come filled
to some optimum level).  These splints are connected at the bottom with a
stirup made of a strong thin cloth material.  You place the stirup under your 
heel lift the splints up to the sides of your calf and wrap two cloth straps 
with velcro around your leg to hold the support in place.  You are then able to
wear your tennis shoes over the support thus allowing you to walk around and
even play volleyball with the support on.  The hard plastic splints on the
inside and outside of your ankle prevent it from being turned in or out thus
preventing more damage or another sprained ankle.

I would recommend the Air Cast "air stirup" to everybody with ankle problems.
You can buy them WITHOUT a perscription and they come with instructions on
using them and on exercises to do to complete your rehab.  They cost around
$40 - 45 each and can be found at most convalescent aid stores and some drug
stores.


I hope this information is of some help to everybody asking about ankle
injuries and "Air Cast" supports.  I wish you good luck in recovering from your
ankle injuries, because sitting court side just watching sucks when you love
playing the game.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.volleyball