If you have followed the NBA in the past decade, you have probably heard about Stephen Curry’s ankle issues. There was a time when his ankle problems were serious enough that his basketball career was in doubt.
Thanks to two surgeries and a mountain of hard work, Steph was able to return to the court and remain healthy enough to have a hall of fame career. After his early injuries, he has stayed relatively healthy, but he stills wears braces to help stabilize his ankles and prevent serious injuries.
How Do Ankle Braces Help?
Ankle braces are a very common piece of athletic equipment in many sports, especially basketball. They not only help recover from ankle injuries but also prevent ankle injuries.
Braces provide compression, which increases blood flow and is very good for the healing process. They also provide support which helps to prevent the ankle from twisting or turning in the wrong direction. Many ankle braces have plastic or metal supports built into them that can prevent the ankle from rolling over.
Another benefit of ankle braces is that they can give you the confidence to play hard while knowing that your ankles are protected. As someone who is prone to ankle injuries, I can say that they have helped me to focus more on the game and worry less about my ankles.
Today’s technology has allowed manufacturers to create ankle braces with great support and mobility while also providing very good comfort.
Stephen Curry’s Ankle Braces
Due to his history of ankle injuries, Stephen Curry normally wears ankle braces during practice and games. Although it is his right ankle that has had the majority of problems, including two surgeries, he wears braces on both ankles.
There are a multitude of ankle braces out there but Curry chooses to wear the Zamst A2-DX.
He has been using this ankle brace since the 2012 – 2013 season. He tried other braces but this one seems to have provided the support he was looking for. This is what he had to say about the brace in 2014.
“I’ve used a lot of different braces to help reinforce my right ankle, but since my surgery I have only been wearing the Zamst A2-DX, it has provided the support I need to keep me on the court” Curry said. “The ZAMST A2-DX is the only product that has given me the full confidence to play without the fear of re-injuring my ankle.” – Stephen Curry quote from Sporttechie.com.
He also had this to say about the brace.
“I’m a guy that makes a lot of different cuts, and to know that the Zamst brace is one that’s going to hold up regardless of what happens. It’s a good feeling to have when your on the court. And it’s the most comfortable [support] I’ve ever worn.” – Stephen Curry
The style of basketball that Curry plays, requires him to have ankle braces that are comfortable but also provides maximum support and will not allow his ankles to slip in the brace. He is constantly cutting, pivoting, spinning and jumping. So far the Zamst A2-DX has protected his ankles and allowed him to play the extraordinary style of basketball that he has always been known for. Let’s take a look at some of the features that this brace provides.
EXO-Tech
The EXO-Tech skeleton supports and protects from all types of ankle sprains. The medial and lateral supports prevent the ankle from rolling in or out. The upper strap holds the ankle in place to prevent high ankle sprains.
X Strap Stabilizer
The brace has two cross straps that create a figure 8 support technique that secures the ankle in place. This helps keep the ankle from rolling medially, laterally and anteriorly. The straps are also made from anti-slip material which keeps the foot from slipping while in the shoe.
I-Fit
The brace has an individualized fit that can be tightened or loosened with two adjustable fasteners in the rear of the brace. The fit can be enhanced by two additional buffers that are provided with the product. They can be placed around the high ankle, inner or outer ankle to enhance comfort.
While the fit of the brace can be adjusted for specific comfort levels, it also allows you to adjust it for different levels of compression. Compression can be a very important part of the healing process since it promotes good blood flow to the injured area.
A-Fit
The brace is anatomically designed for each foot, left and right. The anti-roll and anti-sprain system gives a player like Stephen Curry the confidence to play all out and know that his ankles are protected.
For Curry, this brace is form-fitting enough that he does not need to wear a larger shoe size and it also allows him to have a full range of motion. This lets him continue playing and performing at a top-level on the basketball court.
Manufacturer
The Zamst A2-DX was created and manufactured by Zamst, based in Irvine, California. There are many companies that would love to have an NBA star like Stephen Curry, use their product. As you can see from Curry’s own words, he is very comfortable with the Zamst A2-DX and trusts his career to this technologically designed ankle brace.
Additional Resources
Ankle injuries are the most common injury for athletes, especially basketball players. You can take a look at this study which compiled information over 17 years from the NBA and concluded that ankle sprains are the most common injury in the league.
Ankle braces are great for recovering and even preventing ankle injuries. There are some drawbacks to relying on ankle braces. Take a look at this article to see what some of those drawbacks are and for more information on preventing ankle injuries.
Also Read: 37 Famous Quotes from Stephen Curry
Final Words
Stephen Curry has been prone to ankle injuries since entering the NBA in 2009. After a couple of surgeries and a whole lot of hard work, Curry has been able to stay on the court and perform at an all-star level. He continues to wear his Zamst A2-DX ankle braces which give him plenty of support, comfort, and mobility while also giving him the confidence to play basketball and forget about his history of ankle injuries.
Have you ever had to wear ankle braces? What kind of ankle braces work well for you? We’d love to hear from you, so please leave your comments if you would like.
