Adjustable Drop Foot Brace for Walking/Running with Shoes (Right Foot - Small/Medium)

Description of Product

The Step-Smart brace is a popular choice among individuals suffering from drop foot who are looking to maintain a natural gait and flexibility in their ankle and toes. It is a low profile, lightweight, and energy efficient brace that stands out due to its biomechanical design, which allows for better shock absorption and toe flexibility. The patented ‘Jacob Joint’ technology utilized in this brace provides resistance to plantarflexion the instant the heel hits the ground, making it more effective in preventing damage to the foot and ankle upon impact.

This fully articulated brace maintains ankle action, feeling and flexibility in the toes, allows for clearance during swing phase, shock absorption at heel strike, and natural toe break. The Step-Smart brace is more comfortable than stiff designs and allows for good plantarflexion at heel strike, improving overall shock absorption. The brace is engineered to handle shock absorption at heel strike and designed for clearance on the swing phase.

The Step-Smart brace comes with compression components, also known as bumpers, which provide different resistance levels. The brace ships with three levels of compression: green (least resistance), amber (middle resistance), and black (greatest resistance). The user is recommended to start with the green bumpers to apply the least amount of pressure to the calf and gradually work their way up to the higher resistance bumpers.

To ensure proper functionality and safety, the Step-Smart brace should be worn with both socks and shoes. The sock will reduce any friction on the calf, while the shoe will provide stability to the rounded bottom of the brace and help in keeping the toes lifted during the swing phase. It is recommended to wear antimicrobial socks that cover the calf to protect it from friction during walking.

The Step-Smart brace is designed to accommodate the average amount of "toe out" and allows for a more natural gait, particularly when walking up and down inclines. The shortened foot plate design is intentional and allows the user to utilize their toes for a more natural gait.

This device is intended to aid those with standard foot drop and works best for individuals with conditions such as CMT, MS, MD, post-surgical foot drop, peripheral neuropathy, spinal injuries, and ALS. However, it may not be effective for cases of foot drop caused by severe spasticity from stroke, severe clonus, polio, pediatrics, lipedema/lymphedema in the intended leg/ankle, or plantarflexion contracture.

In conclusion, the Step-Smart brace is a highly effective and comfortable option for individuals suffering from foot drop. It is designed to provide natural gait and flexibility while also ensuring proper shock absorption and clearance during walking.

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