Should you wear an ankle brace all day after spraining your ankle?

Generally speaking, whether an ankle brace should be worn all day after a sprain depends on the stage of recovery. During the acute phase of a sprained ankle, it is recommended to wear the brace during daytime activities but remove it at night. In the recovery phase, continuous all-day use is unnecessary—wearing the brace only during physical activity or weight-bearing is sufficient. Prolonged use should be avoided as it may impair the functional recovery of the ankle. Detailed explanations are as follows:

If you are in the acute phase of a sprained ankle, with noticeable swelling and pain, wearing an ankle brace during daytime activities helps stabilize the joint, reduce strain on the injured area, alleviate pain, and minimize swelling. However, during nighttime rest when the ankle remains still, removing the brace allows the skin to breathe and prevents prolonged pressure that could impair blood circulation, thereby promoting faster resolution of swelling.

During the recovery phase, when swelling and pain have significantly subsided, the brace should only be worn during movement or weight-bearing activities and can be removed while resting. Excessive use of the brace at this stage may lead to muscle dependency on external support, reducing the ankle’s natural stability, which in turn hinders muscle strength recovery and affects normal function in the long term.

In daily care, it's important to choose an ankle brace with appropriate tightness—avoiding one that is too tight and restricts blood flow. Additionally, combining cold and heat therapy can help relieve discomfort, and gentle ankle exercises should be performed appropriately to promote functional recovery.