Drop Foot Brace/AFO, Adjustable Foot Drop Brace for Walking with Shoes or Running (Right Foot - Small/Medium), Made in the U.S.A. by Insightful Products

Not sure where to start but my wife developed foot drop after a hip surgery. The orthopedic brace that was prescribed worked well as, what I would call, a first degree brace. There was no foot mobility or flexure but it offered stability while improving basic walking skill. Luckily, the brace broke and the break location indicated that my wife was flexing her foot and arch more than the brace would allow. We tried 3 other brace types, both less and more expensive, and none worked any better until we tried the Step-Smart Foot Brace. The three levels of tension inserts are a simple and excellent advantage. My wife is now on the strongest level, walking mostly without a cane and feels that her foot and ankle are stronger because of this brace. Even her orthopedic surgeon was impressed with her improvement. If your foot drop condition is improvable or you want to see if it can improve, I would recommend this brace. And the price is reasonable considering others can cost close to $1000.

I had full left hip replacement in Dec 2021, after waking up from surgery I discovered my left foot had foot drop. In the last 7 months I have tried 5 different daytime braces, and this is by far the best because it is dynamic and works with my foot/leg perfectly. I read all the reviews and noticed that others got blisters, I did too but it happened with all the braces. Understanding that your body weight, gate and compensation to your normal step will make getting used to any brace is going to happen. All braces help your Dorsey flexing and push your toes forward and up, in hopes you don’t trip and fall. This new “position “ is off enough from your original position that the toe bones and pads are hitting in different tender spots typically not used to being directly stepped on. This takes time and getting used to. I personally love this brace, as much as I hated having to wear it, and getting used to it was no different that any other medication conditions where we make adjustments to the way we used do things. I can walk almost 100% normally with it on, I don’t trip, fall or feel unstable at all.

It’s been three weeks since returning the brace and I still have a bruise and scab on my calf. It’s super sturdy, but bulky and just way too harsh of a load on the back of the leg.

My grandma was suffering from drop foot after a botched hernia surgery and was really having trouble getting around. This product has improved her quality of life dramatically. She instantly loved the feel and comfort of the device with no time needed to "get used to it". She had been using one these braces before and didn't like it so maybe that had an effect on her liking it so much immediately: https://nicershoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Foot-Drop.jpg The only reason I'm giving this product 4 stars is because of the price. I understand that this is a patented design and maybe a lot of work went into it. But that doesn't justify the 200$ price tag in my opinion. Especially since the materials used in this device are just regular plastic and glue. If it was carbon-fiber or something I would totally understand why it was priced so high. Since it's just plastic, I will update my review if my grandmother experiences any issues with it down the road. So far she's been using it without any issues (4-5 hours a day) for a month now.

Insightful Products is a great company and they stand by their products. I am a younger athlete and work as a PT for neurological rehab. I acquired foot drop after surgery in 2011 and I have used this product only after trying several variations ranging from thermoplastics to carbon fiber. This is the best brace for me as I do a lot of walking and wanted enough support to help clear my foot, but enough range of motion to still be able to squat, lunge, and perform higher level balance that is often very limited with any other AFOs for drop foot. I also have put this brace to the test, hiking through Grand Canyon, Arches, and Zion National Parks on highly uneven and graded terrain. It usually lasts me a year before the tensors get a bit too stretched out and I get less dorsiflexion of my foot, although I still prefer it more than any other brace. The one time I had an issue with the tensors shortly after obtaining the brace, the company offered to replace the product without any additional charge. I highly recommend this product for optimal gait kinematics and for increased ankle ROM while still getting adequate dorsiflexion.

I have had several braces. As a woman, I would like some less noticeable. Almost all of the pictures are of men in slacks, not women in dresses or shorts. The foot plate dug into my instep.The articulation is nice. You will require a shoe that is large enough to accommodate the brace which means that the other shoe will be larger on the other foot. Decent price point and returns are available. Still on the search for the right device for me.

This is my second brace that I purchased from here. Then first one I would give 5 stars. It fit my foot better and I had it for a good three years, worn everyday (as a nurse), before it got so worn down that it snapped where one of the screws in the back was. I purchased this new one, which is a new design one year ago. I've been threw 4 pairs of new sneakers trying to accommodate this new one. It seems wider than the first one and the velcro on the strap doesn't stick as well. I'm constantly adjusting it. Also, although I got the same size as the first brace, this one doesn't fit my ankle as well and the plastic rubs on it. I currently have a blister from it. Unfortunately, my brace just broke again in a shorter amount of time than the first one and with less wear and tear on it. I'm currently looking for another brace as this new design doesn't first properly, cuts/rubs my ankle, and is very painful. For the price of this AFO it is not worth it.

I bought this to replace my tall brace that has full under foot coverage. It's a great brace but doesn't allow my toes to bend. This brace, although kind of looks mechanical in the back a bit, offers my foot stability but also allows my foot to move. I have peripheral neuropathy with foot drop from a dislocated hip due to a motorcycle accident. I'm a woman who likes to wear boots on occasion so my other brace will need to be used for that. But this firs into a wide sneaker and is someone comfortable. The plastic is a little thick. My other brace is carbon fiber and much thinner. Ut for the price, although a little expensive for plastic, does a surprisingly good job.

I’ve been using this brace for a few years and it is a life saver. Without it I trip quite a bit, and you can wear normal shoes

Probando y tengo grandes expectativas de que cumpla su función ,que marca su cometido

Just received it in the mail, excited to give it a try. I put it on for about an hour and like they said it felt weird but not uncomfortable. Really hope this works for me.

It looks sturdy and high tech stuff. It is not easy to put on I may have to get a pair of oversized shoes. The principle behind it sounds good.Hope I get used to it soon before ordering another one for my right foot.

Ha ayudado a la forma de caminar más no al pie equino