I have worn Stromgren as well as Mueller on both ankles in my previous life as an ultimate frisbee player. My only comment is that, based on my experience, braces tend to be band-aids that actually can cause more problems. Your muscles will learn to rely on the braces and will actually get weaker as a result. You will then be a slave to the braces - as I was. I think some PT focused on the issue is likely a better solution.
I’m sure you’ve heard this plenty of times but I’ll add my own experience
It took approx 3 years to run confidently and between 8 and 10 years to completely get over a very bad sprain. I still cringe when I think about it… best of luck in your recovery
I wear the aircast which my PT tells me lacks in support but I tell him it has better runnabilty than the full ribbed sock types he suggests.
I think the proprioreceptive training is a very big deal as far as rehab goes.
McDavid, Swed-o, and AirCast all make good braces. I think AirCast Stir-Up offer more lateral support, but take up more room in you shoe. I like the tie-up braces better for running. I think the AirCast will offer you more support for trail running or sports that use lots of lateral movement.
If you had several recent ankle sprains, be sure you are doing some exercises for strengthening and propripception(balance and sense of awareness exercises). If you need any rehab ideas, let me know.
I use/dispense lots of these. The absolute best is by DonJoy orthopedics and is called the Velocity brace. It was recently designed last year out in San Diego and is awesome (but a little pricey). Has a quick ratchet top (like a ski boot), quick pull laces, built in arch support, allows free ankle dorsi/plantarflexion, and absolutely locks out ankle inversion. PM me if you can’t get one through your PT or ortho/pod and they may be Rx only.
Yeah, it fit in my ASICS DS trainer when I tried it. Spoke with the designer as well (young guy who rides a motorcycle to work and uses an uber powerful MAC with HUGE monitor to CAD design initially). You will have to take the shoe insert to use it though in many cases (I did not). Yes, DonJoy makes LOTS of knee braces (DJ and Bregg make most of the knee braces for the NFL - even in custom carbon fiber and colors).
You are probably looking at $100 if you wanted to “buy” one. Many insurance companies pay for them for chronic ankle instability (you) if you can find a quality provider who carries them.
If you look for serious protection then check out Active Ankle (http://www.activeankle.com/). I’m using them when running off-trail on stony terrain. They saved my ankles from serious injuries many times.