How long to wear your support product

Managing joint pain due to an acute injury or chronic condition? Discover how long you might need to wear your support to help promote recovery.

Sustaining an injury to the joints in your wrist, ankle or knee can be painful and inconvenient, preventing you from moving as you normally do. One of the ways to manage this can be through wearing a support product.

The amount of time you need to wear one will depend on various factors, including the type of injury or condition, whether it is acute or chronic, where it’s located on your body, and the level of activity that you do on a daily basis.

For an acute injury, wearing a support product for the entirety of the healing process may be beneficial. For chronic conditions, you might find it helps to wear a support or brace as often as possible.

Only a healthcare professional can advise you on the most suitable length of wear for support products, as it depends on the individual nature of your condition. Keep reading to discover a rough guide on the wear time for support types, and how to use them to promote recovery.

Close up of athlete wearing an Actimove Sports Edition Ankle Support and their white trainer alongside a yellow baseball

How long to wear your ankle support

If you have a mild ankle sprain, a product such as Actimove Sports Edition Ankle Support can aid pain relief during your ankle rehabilitation and can also be used for reinjury prevention. Generally, wear time for ankle supports varies, but is usually limited to the duration of exercise or physical activity, i.e., typically 30 - 180 minutes. In acute conditions, you may be advised to wear the product throughout the day. Actimove Everyday Supports Ankle Support provides firm compression to help manage chronic ankle pain, giving you reliable support for everyday mobility.

Actimove Professional Line Talocast Ankle Brace

How long to wear your ankle stabiliser

You may need a product that offers stabilising abilities for a more severe ankle injury or sprain. In this case, your GP or healthcare professional may recommend a product like Actimove Professional Line Talocast Ankle Brace to help. Your should discuss how long to wear your ankle brace with a medical professional.

How long to wear your wrist support

Actimove Sports Edition Wrist Support Adjustable can aid pain relief after a sports injury to the wrist. It can also help prevent re-injury. You should seek medical advice on how long to wear a wrist support for your individual condition. However, most people find wearing a support for two – six weeks is sufficient after a wrist sprain. You may want to continue wearing your support during sports or physical activity to prevent re-injury.

Wrist pain also can result from chronic conditions such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). People with this kind of wrist injury often report dull aching or throbbing. For chronic pain and repetitive strain injuries, you might find it beneficial to wear a wrist support as much as you comfortably can throughout the day.

Only a healthcare professional can advise you on the most suitable length of wear for support products, as it depends on the individual nature of your condition.

Actimove Everyday Supports Wrist Stabiliser

How long to wear your wrist stabiliser

Those that have carpal tunnel syndrome may experience a tingling sensation around their wrist and fingers that may get worse at night. It might be helpful to choose a stabilising product such as Actimove Wrist Stabiliser Carpal Pre-Shaped Metal Stay. In most cases, you can wear the product for a few weeks, including at night when your symptoms may worsen or be most severe. Sometimes carpal tunnel syndrome may require surgery. Therefore, you should ask your GP, doctor or medical professional what is the best treatment plan for you.

How long to wear your knee support

If you have a condition like runner’s knee, you may benefit from targeted pain relief in a support like Actimove Sports Edition Adjustable Patella Strap. This strap is often the type of device that runners seek out during a flair up of pain. This product stays in place during activity due to the silicone dot lining and you might benefit from wearing it throughout the duration of physical activity.

Knee pain from a chronic condition such as arthritis may need specific care such as Actimove Arthritis Care Knee Support. Arthritis pain can get worse over time, or it can flare up on occasion. In most cases, you can keep the support on as long as you feel it is beneficial to reduce pain and swelling. Consult with your doctor for advice tailored to your specific situation.

How long to wear your knee stabilizer

For issues like light to moderate ACL, LCL, MCL, PCL sprains and tears as well as osteoarthritis, you may benefit from a sturdy knee stabiliser such as Actimove Sports Edition Knee Stabilizer. Please consult your GP or doctor to check how long you should wear your knee stabiliser.