Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
This page gives general product information from three manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFUs). It is not medical advice. Your own brace’s printed sheet and your clinician’s instructions come first.
To put on a lace-up or strapped ankle brace: wear an athletic sock, seat your heel in the heel opening, lay the tongue flat on top of the foot, lace the brace, then fasten the straps and check that the fit is snug. The three IFUs below overlap on those points and differ on the order of the finer steps, so follow the sheet that came with your model.
What you need
- The brace in the size on its label. Breg, DJO (Enovis) and Performance Health each say the brace is worn over an athletic sock, so have a clean, dry athletic sock ready.
- The manufacturer’s fitting sheet for your exact model. Strap names and order differ between models (see the comparison below).
- A chair. The DJO sheet starts seated at the edge of a chair with the ankle at 90 degrees.
Sizing is covered in our lace-up ankle brace guide. For a model chosen by ankle size, the Performance Health IFU says to measure the ankle circumference over an athletic sock, around the base of the heel and across the ankle bone, then compare it with the maker’s sizing chart.
Steps
These steps combine what the three IFUs share. They describe a lace-up brace with Figure-8 or ankle straps.
- Loosen everything. Open the laces and release the straps (Performance Health: disconnect the Figure-8 straps and loosen the laces; DJO: loosen straps and laces).
- Put the foot in. Insert the foot toes first with the heel in the heel opening. Breg describes the heel position as “the hole at the rear and bottom of the brace”. Keep the tongue on top of the foot.
- Lace it like a shoe. DJO says to lay the neoprene tongue on top of the foot before lacing. Breg says to lace the brace and tie it snugly.
- Fasten the straps. Strap layouts differ by maker, so follow the diagram on your model’s sheet. Breg and Performance Health describe Figure-8 straps, and Breg says to pull the strap tight. DJO’s stabilizer instead uses two forefoot straps (A and B) followed by a strap around the ankle, and says the support “should be snug”.
- Test it under load. Performance Health says to stand, apply full weight to the brace, and adjust the straps and laces for a snug fit and maximum support.
What three makers agree on, and where they differ
| Point | Breg lace-up | DJO stabilized | Performance Health Form Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worn over an athletic sock | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heel seated in the heel opening | Yes, rear and bottom of brace | Not specified in the sheet | Yes, toes in first |
| Lace first, then straps | Yes | Straps A and B first, then ankle strap | Yes |
| Strap fastening | Hook to loop on inside of ankle | Pressure-sensitive closures | Loop on inner side; finger pull tabs adjust tension |
| Fit check | Strap pulled tight | Support should be snug | Stand and apply full weight, then adjust |
| Starting position | Not specified | Seated, ankle at 90 degrees | Not specified |
A cell marked “not specified” means that sheet does not address the point, not that the step is wrong.
Before and after each use
The Performance Health IFU says to inspect the foot, ankle and product before and after each use. The Breg, DJO and Performance Health sheets all give washing instructions: wash with mild soap or detergent, rinse well, and air dry. Performance Health also says no bleach, no wringing, and no dryer or heater.
What can go wrong
- Skin reactions. DJO states its neoprene support is not for people with known dermatitis or a neoprene allergy, and says never to wear the support over an open wound. Residual soap can irritate skin, so rinse thoroughly.
- Increased pain, swelling or adverse reactions. Breg says to consult your medical professional.
- Expecting the brace to do everything. Breg warns the device will not prevent or reduce all injuries and that rehabilitation and activity modification are part of a safe treatment program. DJO likewise gives no guarantee that injury is prevented.
- Sharing a brace. Breg and DJO both label their braces single patient use.
When to get professional help
Breg tells users who notice increased pain, swelling or adverse reactions to consult their medical professional, and the Performance Health IFU says to contact a certified medical professional if problems occur. Choosing a brace for a particular injury is a question for a clinician, not this page. For the wider picture of support products see crutches, canes and ankle braces, ankle compression sleeves, what a splint is and walking boot sizes.
FAQ
How do I measure for an ankle brace?
Performance Health says to measure ankle circumference over an athletic sock, around the base of the heel and across the ankle bone, then compare the number with that maker’s sizing chart. The Breg and DJO sheets do not give sizing steps; see the sizing section of the lace-up ankle brace guide.
How do I use an ankle brace?
Per the makers’ sheets, wear it over an athletic sock, seat the heel, lace it, fasten the straps snugly, stand to check the fit (Performance Health), and inspect the foot, ankle and brace before and after use (Performance Health). Follow the sheet for your model.
What is an ankle brace?
Per the DJO IFU, a stabilizing ankle brace provides support after acute ankle sprains and for chronic instability, and can be used prophylactically. Performance Health lists mild to moderate sprains and strains, injury prevention and chronically weak ankles. The lace-up ankle brace guide covers the device itself.
Sources
- Breg, Lace-Up Ankle Brace Fitting Instructions (AW-1.90062 Rev B 1012), https://www.breg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/lace-up-ankle-brace-ifu.pdf, checked 2026-10-30.
- DJO (Enovis), Stabilized Ankle Brace Patient Application Guide (MKTIS00-7060 Rev A, 2018), https://enovis.com/sites/default/files/documents/Stabilized_Ankle_Brace_Patient_Application_Guide.pdf, checked 2026-10-30.
- Performance Health, Form Fit Ankle Brace IFU (IF 921029119), https://www.performancehealth.com/media/support/kb/IF_921029119_ifu.pdf, checked 2026-10-30.
