Innovative Ankle Technology Keeps NBA Stars Playing

Professional basketball players live in constant fear of one unfortunate event.

During a recent game, Buzelis, a towering 6'10" forward in his sophomore year with the Chicago Bulls, encountered a familiar plight. After jumping, he landed on another player's foot, setting the stage for a potential ankle injury. This is a recurring theme for Buzelis, with a track record of ankle issues dating back to high school.

"I sensed my ankle was about to give," Buzelis revealed in an email.

Contrary to expectations, his ankle held strong, allowing him to continue playing. He attributes this to a revolutionary ankle support technology now gaining momentum in the NBA.

Buzelis, alongside several of his league contemporaries, has adopted BetterGuards’ “adaptive” ankle brace technology. This cutting-edge design features a seat-belt-like locking system around the ankle, offering superior fit and comfort previously unattainable with traditional bulky braces. BetterGuards reports impressive figures on preventing and recuperating from ankle injuries, with over two-thirds of NBA teams procuring their products.

The enthusiasm among NBA trainers has led to a partnership between BetterGuards and the National Basketball Athletic Training Association. This collaboration allows top-tier athletes to enhance the evolving tech. The long-term ambition is to address one of the most typical injuries across sports and extend this technology to manage other common injuries.

Collaborative Innovation

Tony Verutti, CEO of BetterGuards, dramatically states, “With the volume of ankle injuries in the US, you could fill Madison Square Garden tenfold each week.”

Indeed, WebMD estimates around 25,000 Americans suffer from ankle sprains daily, consistent with Madison Square Garden's capacity. This emphasizes the magnitude of the issue.

In the NBA, these injuries are particularly prevalent. Research shows that a third of league players experienced ankle injuries over a recent five-year span, with over half resulting in tournament absences ranging from two to ten games. Despite this, developments in ankle injury prevention have lagged, with much of the market dominated by cumbersome braces or ineffective tape products.

Dissatisfied with existing solutions after experiencing three separate ankle fractures, Vinzenz Bichler, founder and innovation lead at BetterGuards, aimed to design a more adaptable support system. As a bioscience student, Bichler and a team of biomechanical experts engineered the 'ankle stabilizer' over several years. Their breakthrough participation in the NBA Launchpad event in 2022 significantly boosted BetterGuards' visibility.

Operating as an artificial lateral ankle ligament, this stabilizer offers a distinct advantage it responds more swiftly than the human body's natural reaction time.

Research indicates it takes the human brain 80 to 170 milliseconds to detect an ankle rolling. However, this reaction is often too slow to counteract injury. BetterGuards claims their device responds in 22 to 32 milliseconds, potentially thwarting sprains or severe injuries.

Referencing the analogy of a 'seatbelt for the ankle,' Barnett Frank, the Utah Jazz's performance science director and advocate for NBA technology initiatives, underscores BetterGuards’ model.

Like a car seatbelt that slackens under slow movement but locks under sudden force, the ankle stabilizer employs 'micro-hydraulic' materials. These remain pliant during regular actions but solidify if the ankle abruptly tilts.

BetterGuards asserts this method delivers 40% more protection than ordinary braces without adversely affecting other bodily areas.

“Rigid braces often redirect force to the knee or hip,” Verutti explains, which shifts risk to another joint.

Although some NBA trainers are cautious, preferring more studies, initial research suggests BetterGuards' design doesn’t exacerbate existing problems.

Crucially, this technology provides formidable protection while ensuring comfort, a feature that previous braces often compromised.

"I used to despise ankle braces,» Buzelis admits. «They were excessively bulky and stiff. BetterGuards are a game-changer, feeling akin to a sock’s comfort… I can move seamlessly on the court."

Buzelis consistently wears the brace in all competitions and practices, recommending it to teammates like Josh Giddey and more prominent NBA figures such as the Wagner brothers and Austin Reaves.

The brace not only aids in injury prevention but also assists rehabilitation. Verutti notes that previous rigid products could hinder recovery, claiming that ongoing movement fortifies ligaments and tendons.

Data appears to validate Verutti’s claims, showing athletes using BetterGuards enjoy expedited return timelines.

"Ankle sprains dominate as the primary injury preventing NBA play annually," Eric Waters, head of player health for the Chicago Bulls, observes. Use of BetterGuards saves the team substantial financial losses due to injury downtime.

In collaboration with BetterGuards, trainers like Frank and Waters continually work with players to refine product designs quickly, thanks to manufacturing enhancements.

The overarching mission is to make this tech widely available across all athletic levels, from professional sports to hobbyist activities.

Considering trainers' speculation, the ankle-related technology is just the beginning. Similar mechanisms could alleviate issues like knee hyperextensions or UCL injuries prevalent in baseball, with hopes it might even prevent severe incidents like Achilles tears, as speculated by Eric Waters.

Verutti’s aspirations envision this device becoming essential sports gear, seamlessly blending into athletes’ routines.