As with most diseases, prevention of injury can be the best
treatment. Various investigators have examined the use of
footwear and bracing to prevent ankle sprains. However,
it remains controversial as to what is the best method for
prevention. Some have described the use of low-top shoes
combined with lace-up bracing in order to decrease the number
of ankle sprains, while others have used high-top shoes
with taping.3,26 The use of taping itself is time-consuming
and has been shown to only reduce range of motion for 2 to
3 hours, as well as potentially irritating.27