Why "cleared to play" doesn't mean your kid's ankle is back to normal

The part of recovery that rarely comes up at the follow-up.

You did everything right.

Rest. Ice. The boot. Every PT exercise.

Then the doctor cleared them, and they went right back out there.

So why are you still holding your breath every time they land?

Because some part of you is asking the question a lot of parents ask after a sprain:

Do these actually heal properly?

The honest answer is: not always.

Up to 4 in 10 people who sprain an ankle once end up with an ankle that keeps giving way. Doctors call it chronic ankle instability.

Cleared means the pain is gone and they're allowed to play. It doesn't mean the ankle is as steady as it was before.

That part usually doesn't come up at the follow-up.

It's not just "part of the game"

Here's the good news. The next sprain isn't something you just have to wait for.

In a study of 1,460 high school basketball players, the ones who wore lace-up ankle supports had 67% fewer ankle sprains.

And it worked just as well for players who had already been hurt before.

Rehab helps the ankle heal. Support helps protect it while they play. Research shows the best protection comes from doing both.

What the people who treat ankles see

"Over the past two years, nearly 90 percent of all ankle sprains in the USA Men's National Volleyball Team members have been to unprotected ankles."

Aaron Brock, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer, USA Men's National Volleyball Team

How it works

A sprain happens one way: the foot tips sideways and the ankle rolls over.

Running and jumping use a different motion: the foot moves up and down.

StrideGuard is built around that difference. Laces hold the ankle snug on both sides, and a strap wraps around the top to lock it in. That holds against the sideways tip and leaves up and down free.

"But won't wearing one make their ankle weaker?"

It's one of the most common worries parents have. Here's what the research says.

A review that pooled multiple studies found that ankle supports and tape had no effect on the ankle's sense of position.

And in a separate study, 8 weeks of wearing a lace-up ankle support didn't slow down the ankle's natural reflex that catches a roll.

Keep up the strengthening exercises. StrideGuard works alongside them, not instead of them.

Will it slow them down?

Nothing about it gets in the way of running, cutting or jumping. Here's what parents tell us:

"I see my son on the court and he doesnt hesitate anymore."

Rosa V., Verified Purchase

"Works for my son. Only thing is the first practice he said it felt different in his shoe but by the end of week one he didnt notice anymore"

Nadia C., Verified Purchase

It fits inside the shoes they already wear

Basketball shoes, court shoes, even cleats.

No bulky plastic sides. No clunky boot look. Nobody on the bench will give it a second glance, and nobody will think you're overreacting.

"My kid hates anything bulky. These are not bulky. Thats the whole review"

Anthony L., Verified Purchase

From parents who've been where you are

★★★★★ 4.8 out of 5 from 159 verified reviews

"My son rolled his ankle 3 times in two seasons. Third time we ended up at urgent care, got the boot, missed 4 weeks of basketball. Saw these on Facebook and figured worth a shot. Season ended without another sprain"

Kim S., Verified Purchase

"Kid plays travel basketball. Rolled it bad in a tournament back in February, cost us almost a thousand at the ER. Didnt want to go through that again. These have been on his feet every game since and we havent had a scare yet."

Tom R., Verified Purchase

What this season can look like

"I think the best part is I actually exhale at games now. Didnt realize how much I was bracing every time she landed wrong. Shes been wearing these for 6 weeks"

Erica G., Verified Purchase

This season, you can actually watch.

Try StrideGuard for 60 days. Doesn't fit? Kid won't wear it? Full refund. Sprain it wearing StrideGuard? Every dollar back.

Choose one ankle or both below.