Patients who have ankle sprains need to regain normal strength and motion. If they don't get their strength back, they tend to have a chronically swollen ankle that is clinically and functionally unstable. They can't walk over rough ground, they become apprehensive, and they tend to get recurrent sprains. But increasingly abundant reports, particularly in Scandinavian soccer players, show that such problems are much less frequent if patients rehabilitate properly. When patients return to play, I suggest they use a prophylactic ankle brace or wrap for the first few months.
Ankle braces seem to protect the ankle by holding it in an anatomic position.
There is no evidence that any one device is better than another. Go with one that's inexpensive and comfortable, such as the nonelastic web wrap commonly called Louisiana wrap. The earlier you mobilize, the less strength you lose and the quicker you regain motion. And the quicker you regain normal motion and strength, the less likely it is that you will get a recurrent injury. Management of acute and chronic lateral ligament injuries of the ankle.