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

I have been suffering from moderate drop foot symptoms for about a year and a half. While my symptoms are usually mild, I am in constant danger of tripping and falling due to getting my toe caught. My first assist device was the kind that straps around the leg and attaches to the front of your shoe. No real complaints there, but it was uncomfortable for me due to the constant pressure applied to the leg.When my physical therapist insisted I get a "real" brace, I started my search. The first consideration was a custom made fitted device that went from the toes and up the back of you calf. When I tried a generic sample at PT, it clearly remedied the drop foot and created good clearance for the toes while walking. However, the fixed nature of the device also created problems. For one, because it is fixed, squatting was not possible, because the angle of the foot to leg was fixed. Second, walking on uneven ground, especially downhill, was difficult. Since I am fairly active and enjoy golf, these two limitations were serious negative factors. And, as a custom made orthopedic device, it is very expensive, even though likely covered by my medical insurance.When searching for other options, I happened to see the Step Smart brace on Amazon. Spent a LOT of time reviewing it online, and convinced myself that it might be a better answer for my problem. Ordering was easy (as always on Amazon) and with Amazon's simple, quick and safe return procedures, I thought the risk would be minimal if this did not work out. I need to mention that I paid about $245 total ($229 + tax and $2.95 shipping), so not a trivial expenditure, at least for me. Turns out it likely was the best 2 C notes I ever spent.It's been about 6 weeks since I received the brace, and I have worn it essentially daily. The recommendation was to ease into use time wise, and I followed those directions for the first couple of days. After that, having had no side effects, I kept it on for the full day. It does its job perfectly, my therapist likes the clearance of my toe in stride, and it turn out to be comfortable as well. While I expected some chafing or perhaps even a blister, none of that occurred. I certainly know that I am wearing it, but the security it provides is a positive feeling and not a bother. It fits in nearly all my shoes and sneakers, but likely because I started ordering a half size larger than it used to some time ago. With the brace the shoe fits just right. Since it raises my foot slightly, I put an inlay in the other shoe to level the hips, although I haven't an issue with the hips other. But it just makes sense, and I believe something is available from the seller to do the same thing.The brace seems well made and hopefully it will stay together for the long haul. The vinyl (?) inserts to adjust stiffness of the brace are easy enough to apply, although once I got to the strongest of the three I settled on it pretty quickly. As recommended, I wear a sock under it, and figured out that it will stay up indefinitely if you turn the top of the sock down over the brace. Putting the brace on is still awkward, and I'm not sure there is any easy way to do it. I put it in the shoe before putting the shoe on, others put it on the foot and then insert it in the shoe. Doesn't work for me. No boots, hiking boots or high tops, the brace will not fit them.So a satisfied customer here, this brace most certainly works for me. Some out of the box thinking went into this thing and I appreciate the research and work that helped create this model. I must also repeat that my affliction is relatively mild, as the manufacturer says in their material, there are more serious conditions which are likely not going to work with it. But it works for me, thanks Step Smart.One year update:Against all odds I'm still wearing this brace regularly and my positive review above stands. I have had no problems with the afflicted leg over time, no chafing, blisters or even discomfort. I didn't expect the brace to stabilize my ankle as well, but it does very nicely.There has been no wear and tear at all, I expected the Velcro straps to weaken over time, but they have not. Even so, I am considering in investing in a second brace to have as a backup. I wish there were a discount available for repeat buyers. To that it isn't worth it at full price, of course. Thank you, StepSmart.

Insightful Products are revolutionists when it comes to AFO braces for foot drop. I had a custom spring loaded AFO made for me in the Marine Corp (Severed Peroneal Nerve) in 2007 and have had that brace ever since. It served it's purpose for my complete foot drop, but had hard times squatting, crawling on the floor w/my daughter, etc. Also, it was very noticeable and eye catching when wearing shorts or if my pants lifted up when sitting (people stare hard and my PTSD kicks in and I go nuts), as well as finding shoes/boots for the brace to fit in.Came across Insightful Products on Amazon as I'm curious how the medical field has advanced because the VA hospital has crap braces to give out and nothing revolutionary had popped up on the radar....until I came across the Step-Smart Brace. Once received, I was smiling and once I tried it out I was smiling even harder from ear to ear. Now you do have to break it in (wear a few hours for a day) and I found the leg support digs into my calf and is somewhat painful overtime while walking. So I ordered the "Cuff Calf Section" on the website and problem solved. The Cuff Calf Section wraps around your calf, instead of the stock thin narrow brace sticking into your calf. Walking with this brace feels great and I feel "Normal" again walking. No need to lift my leg up a little higher so I don't trip over it, even with my spring loaded brace from the Marines I still had to lift my leg up.The Step-Smart Brace is now comfortable, tactile, discreet and amazing! I feel like a new man and my stride, walk and movement are very much improved. I've been missing out and wish I knew about this earlier.Insightful Products is a very professional and caring company. I've spoken to and e-mailed them regarding questions on products and all have been very helpful and actually care about people with foot drop.for $200 this brace is well worth the money! A must buy and also check out their website for brace accessories as well.

This is an awful product for my permanent foot drop!!!! I do not recommend it!!! It is grossly uncomfortable!!!! It is way too expensive too!!!! The best ankle foot brace for foot drop is the Trulife!! It also keeps your foot from going outward when it is in motion. But, this breaks at the seam of the foot plate in about 6 months. It does have a warranty of only 6 months; the seller will replace it once. After that you have to buy a new one. The second best ankle foot brace is made by Ossür. It is a simple design and it is very sturdy. That is what I use now.

At first, I did not like this AFO. I had a stroke about a year ago, and have moderate to mild foot drop. My initial reaction was that I had a huge piece of plastic in my shoe. Well, it's because I did! I went to a prosthetic doctor, was fitted for a "custom" AFO and what came back was a prosthetic that was static and ridged. It did not allow my foot to drop slightly. It was like waking in a ski boot!The magic behind this product is that it allows one to regulate the amount of foot drop you desire by way of its "compression bumpers". There are three levels of resistance. I needed the ones with the least amount of resistance. Everybody is different. If you have severe foot drop, you can adjust for more resistance. It's still a bit tough getting this in my shoe and on my foot, but I suppose I'll get used to it. I had to go up one size in shoe size for comfort. Overall I like how lightweight it is and the customizable features.