About the ankle splint

You have been given an ankle splint to wear while your ankle or foot heals. The splint is also called an Aircast ankle splint.

Put the splint on correctly

First, put on a long cotton sock. The sock should be longer than the splint to protect your skin.

Place your heel on the round sole. Perhaps adjust the side panels to make sure they are the same length over your anklebones.

Close the panels around your ankle, tighten the straps, and put on your shoe.

Push the panels together with one hand, and use your other hand to tighten the straps so the support fits comfortably.

If the splint feels too tight, begins to chafe or if there is uneven pressure, try to readjust the panels and the straps. Always wear a snug lace-up shoe on the foot with the splint.

Keep your foot elevated and wiggle your toes

Rest your foot as much as possible for the first week. Elevate your foot to a level higher than your heart when sitting down. You can loosen the splint when you sit down. Wiggle your toes to reduce swelling. Make sure you sleep with your leg elevated.

Take off the splint and let your foot breathe.

Take off the splint at night and when showering/bathing. It is important that plenty of air gets to your leg. When you are not wearing the splint, check your skin for sores and pressure marks.

Adjust the splint if you are travelling on a plane

If you are wearing the splint on a plane, the cabin pressure may cause your leg to swell, so remember to loosen the straps in advance.

Contact your general practitioner if you have persistent numbness in your leg

If your leg is numb, try loosening the splint a little. If the numbness does not go away, contact your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours.

Throw away the splint when you no longer need it

The splint cannot be re-used. So when you have finished with it, throw it out.