Ankle injuries are common for athletes, but a New York doctor hopes to prevent future injuries through the development of a new basketball shoe.
Tired of seeing athletes come into his office with injured ankles, orthopedic radiologist Dr. Barry Katz decided to create a pair of basketball shoes that would provide better ankle support. Katz wanted to focus on injury prevention, because many athletes only consider ankle treatments after they suffer an injury. While ankle taping and braces can slightly decrease the likelihood of an ankle sprain, Katz wanted to focus on the role athletic shoes play in the equation.
His research led to the creation of Ektio Shoes, a company that manufactures basketball shoes with “revolutionary ankle support technology.” Ektio shoes provide extra support in the shoe walls and boast “anti-rollover bumpers” to reduce and strains and sprains.
“Our technology really exposes the weakness and deficiency of other basketball shoes in regards to providing even the most basic level of ankle support,” says Katz. “Ektio is the best solution to protecting against ankle sprains without the need for tape and braces.”
While the shoes haven’t eliminated ankle injuries, a study by Drexel University shows that less ankle inversion is allowed by the Ektio shoe compared to an average basketball shoe.
An ankle injury is the most common injury for basketball players, and the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology estimates that ankle injuries make up roughly 30% of all sports injuries.
The USNCB also said that athletes who suffer one ankle sprain are 35% more likely to suffer another sprain down the road, so it’s important to take precautionary measures to prevent an aggravation. Speaking with an ankle specialist can diagnose problems and recommend a course of action. Oftentimes this can include strengthening exercises or custom orthotics.