Brace for Drop Foot/AFO, Adjustable Foot Drop Brace for Walking with Shoes or Running (Left 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.

I love this OFA once I got it set up and used to wearing it really helps my stability. My old OFA was rigid and fitted by professional and adjusted a couple times. That one did just did not work for my foot because of where the support shaft came down along the outside of my foot. I just stopped wearing one for months.This one: My husband had to change out one of the extenders so that the back support did not dig into my calf as much on one side. Plus the direction seem to be completely backwards about which one to change if this or the other thing is happening. We figured it out eventually. There is some of that pressure on the calf I had to get used to and I quickly did. Getting the screws out to change the extender was challenging as screws where incredibly hard to get out. I use the green cushion which is the least hardness and just the amount I needed. I love that I can flex my ankle and walk up and down hills easier.One thing I am concerned about is replacing parts that will wear out. The main hard foot piece and calf support won't wear out but the straps will, and it seems that only one of the straps can be purchased. separately. The other one requires the purchase of a new hardware {foot part) because the strap is .permanently attached to the molded plastic piece. Be sure to do the measuring of your ankle because how the heel fits into the molded heel piece is important. The cost is not outrageous could be a hassle to make the change out.Still...I love this OFA.

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.

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 husband had a stroke and was wearing a hard, restricting brace for his condition called drop foot. He would wear the brace as little as possible and when he had to because we went somewhere he was miserable in 15 minutes. I looked online and I saw a video on YouTube about a brace for drop foot. Insightful Products was helpful on the phone and I ordered the brace thru Amazon. My husband now wears the brace almost daily and he keeps it on for hours at a time. He is happy with this brace and more comfortable walking too. So we don’t fight anymore about getting him to wear his brace. I will update this review in time but I think it is well worth the money and I would order it again (the brace construction is very good so We will make due with one brace for now.)

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.