Immediate help for foot drop is available with the right ankle foot orthosis for your condition. Depending on the severity of your foot drop – whether it is mild, moderate, or severe – modern AFOs that are lightweight provide the kind of comfortable support that was not available in times past.
Gone are the days of struggling to put on a clunky and heavy foot drop brace that was awkward to wear. Today it is possible to choose from a variety of innovative AFOs that are designed with your ease and comfort in mind. At the same time, the support they give for your foot drop is impressive. A modern ankle foot orthosis will also fit into many shoe types and be barely noticeable when worn with long pants.
To say that some AFOs on the market today are lightweight is really an understatement. For instance, the Dorsi-Strap by X-Strap Systems weights only 3 oz., yet gets high ratings for the help it provides the person dealing with mild or moderate drop foot who is seeking a visible improvement in his or her gait when walking. The innovative Dorsi-Strap by X-Strap Systems is a U.S. patented product. No fittings are required and customization is not needed. Support levels are fully adjustable; however, it should be noted that this foot drop brace is best suited to a weight under 195 lbs. This includes many adults and all children. It’s hard to imagine an easier ankle foot orthosis.
For heavy duty support for persons over 195 lbs. who want to engage in more vigorous activities than walking, a Pro version of the Dorsi-Strap is available. Again, this Dorsi-Strap Pro weighs only 3 oz., and is just as easy to put on and deal with as the other one designed for just walking.
Another outstanding ankle foot orthosis is the “Foot-Up brace by Ossur, a global leader in orthopedic devices. This is another lightweight AFO that is easy to put on and easy to wear. The unique feature of this footdrop brace is the way it provides support the moment the foot is raised. This support is created by an an ergonomic ankle strap and a plastic inlay that fits discreetly between the tongue and laces of the shoe. The plastic inlay attaches to the ergonomic ankle strap by means of an additional breathable, yet super-strong, elastic strap which has a quick release clip. There is no hard, heavy plastic in this foot brace, so it definitely qualifies as a light AFO. The moment you make an effort to lift your foot, the “Foot-Up” comes to your aid and lifts your foot for you, in a way that results in a normal gait.
Foot drop is not a disease itself, but an indicator of underlying conditions, such as peroneal nerve damage . Damage to the peroneal nerve can be caused by several factors. More serious reasons for foot drop include multiple sclerosis or some kind of brain injury, spinal cord injury or stroke.
Anyone dealing with foot drop will hopefully receive encouragement from these examples of modern AFOs.