Adjustable AFO Brace for Drop Foot with Comfortable Top Cover - Left Foot Small/Medium Size, Walking Support for Shoes, Made in USA | Ideal for Post-Stroke Recovery, Neurological Conditions & Mobility Assistance

*A restocking fee may apply per Amazon policies. * Left Foot - Small/Medium w/Topcover At only 11” high and weighing under 1 lb, the Step-Smart brace offers functionality and comfort. 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. Patented ‘Jacob Joint’ technology allows one brace type to be used by many in alleviating foot drop symptoms. The Step-Smart is a low profile, light weight, energy efficient brace that is a favorite of drop foot sufferers who want to maintain a natural gait and flexibility in their ankle and toes. BioMechanically, the Step-Smart design is more energy efficient than competitive designs. The Step-Smart is more desirable than stiff designs, since it allows for good plantarflexion at heel strike. Naturally, our bodies control the deceleration at heel strike with an eccentric contraction of the dorsiflexors. This combined with a slight flexion moment at the knee is what creates the best shock absorption. The reason that the Step-Smart design is superior to the others is that it provides resistance to plantarflexion the instant the heel hits the ground. Some other designs need to be plantarflexed before the resistance is high enough to be effective. By then it is too late. The shock of hitting the ground has already damaged the foot and ankle. The preload or resistance on the Step-Smart brace is key to shock absorption. The pre-load helps to control deceleration at contact and the Dorsi Flexion assist joints allows the best clearance at swing phase. It is appreciated and considered the best drop foot brace by the medical community because patients feel better during ambulation. Benefits: Regain ankle action with patented Jacob Joints 3/4 foot plate retains feeling and flexibility in toes (allows for easy walking on inclines) Designed for clearance on swing phase Engineered to handle shock absorption at heel strike Compression Components (bumpers) allow individualized resistance Green: least resistance Amber: mid -evel Black: greatest resistance The Step-Smart Brace may appear "bent" or "twisted" when it's not on the foot and ankle, but this is all part of the science of biomechanics behind this unique design. Why may it appear to be bent? The preflexion angle is desired for preload before heel strike which is necessary to manage immediate deceleration of the foot. In addition, the angle of the calf section will provide clearance even in the dorsiflexion range of motion. Why does it look a bit twisted? The brace accommodates the natural toe out of human ambulation. This is desired for good calf section tracking on the calf. The articulated calf section works best when it travels back and forth in the line of progression. Most insurance companies do cover the brace. However, we don’t handle insurance claims here. You would need a prescription for the “Step-Smart Brace and no substitutions” and see either a Podiatrist or an Orthotist. Jocob Joint It is not desirable to have a brace design with free plantarflexion. Naturally, our bodies control the deceleration at heel strike with an eccentric contraction of the dorsiflexors. This combined with a slight flexion moment at the knee is what creates the best shock absorption. With other flexible solutions, there is too much plantarflexion at heel strike causing foot slap. The result is trauma and pain to the calcaneous. Slight Twist The Step-Smart is designed with an average amount of "toe out". The slight twist in the brace design is intentional. Bumpers Compression components or what we call Bumpers sit in the cavities of the foot and calf sections and supply resistance, which is translated to lift and shock absorption. Different colored Bumpers supply different resistance levels. Each brace ships with 3 levels of compression. Choose the configuration which lifts the foot without giving too much resistance. Mixing and matching levels is okay (higher resistance should go on the outside). Foot Section Made of smooth, molded polypro plastic, the foot section includes the lower cavity of the Jacob Joint, the two uprights. The shortened foot bed leaves the trim line behind the metatarsal heads, allowing for natural toe break and flexion for stance phase. Top Cover The Top Cover is a leather and foam interface between the footplate and the bottom of your foot. It's meant to improve comfort and absorb shock during heel strike. While not required the Top Cover is a recommended add-on for the Step-Smart Brace. The Top Cover is glued to the unit, the pictures are for display purposes only. Top Cover The Top Cover is a leather and foam interface between the footplate and the bottom of your foot. It's meant to improve comfort and absorb shock during heel strike. While not required the Top Cover is a recommended add-on for the Step-Smart Brace. The Top Cover is glued to the unit, the pictures are for display purposes only.