Universal dynamic athletic ankle brace and add-on interior stirrup support system

A method of donning a rear-entry ankle brace, the brace comprising,

• an elastomeric component defining an inside elbow channel configured to span an ankle joint of a wearer, the elastomeric component having,
• a distal end portion comprising an arched foot portion configured to extend over and cover a top and opposite sides of a mid-foot of the wearer, a proximal end portion comprising an arched leg portion configured to extend over and cover a front and sides of a lower portion of a leg of the wearer, and
• an intermediate portion extending between the foot portion and leg portion and comprising an arched ankle portion configured to extend over and cover a front and sides of an ankle joint of the wearer,
• wherein a channel opening extends along a length of the elastomeric component from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion and enables the elastomeric component to be positioned directly onto and cover the front and sides of the mid-foot, lower leg portion, and ankle joint of the wearer without passing the mid-foot through the proximal end portion,
• one or more leg straps for tensioning first and second rear edges of the channel opening in an area of the leg portion toward one another and securing the leg portion to the lower leg of the wearer, and
• two foot straps for tensioning first and second bottom edges of the channel opening in an area of the foot portion toward one another and securing the foot portion to the mid-foot of the wearer, wherein a first of the foot straps extends under a second of the foot straps along an entire length that spans the channel opening for forming, by the first foot strap, a plantar surface of the brace, the second foot strap extending through a slot located along a said bottom edge over a location at which the first foot strap extends from said bottom edge,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) positioning the elastomeric component directly onto and in covering relation with the front and sides of the mid-foot, lower leg portion, and ankle joint of the wearer without passing the elastomeric component over the toes of the foot;
• (b) tensioning the first and second bottom edges of the channel opening in the area of the foot portion toward one another by pulling the two foot straps and then stepping on the overlapping portions of the foot straps to hold the tension;
• (c) bending a knee of the leg of the wearer over at least the mid-foot of the wearer to tension the elastomeric component and preload the brace;
• (d) pulling and securing the one or more leg straps to tension the first and second rear edges of the channel opening toward one another and secure the leg portion to the lower leg of the wearer;
• and
• (e) ceasing said stepping on the overlapping portions of the foot straps and separately pulling and securing each of the foot straps to one of the one or more leg straps to selectively tension the first and second bottom edges of the channel opening toward one another and secure the foot portion to the mid-foot of the wearer.