There are low profile AFOs out there. I’m not sure about the tolerances these have for running. Look into a poster leaf spring (PLS). An orthotist and specialized PT are likely your best bet.

I didn't find any type of brace that really worked. I have nerve damage in my lower right leg which resulted in drop-foot. I did more pt, used kt tape, and got some graston from a chiropractor who specializes in neurology. Sorry you are dealing with this....I am back to running, although I do walk/run my long runs, and people I run with don't even notice my weird gait anymore. Hang in there and don't give up....and don't be afraid to experiment to find what works for you! Good luck!

This is my wheelhouse!

I've had foot drop for nearly 7 years now, and the only AFO that works in my opinion is the XTERN from Turbomed. It goes on the outside of your shoe, so finding shoe that works is important, but you no longer have to fight the crap that is a big piece of plastic in your shoe.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have about my experience, but the short version is that I'm extremely grateful to have found this brace.

https://turbomedorthotics.com/...-ankle-foot-orthosis

Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with that company other than being a happy customer.

I was going to suggest turbomed as well. They are tall, but my wife finds them way more comfortable than her other braces.

I have been able to make them work with most of her shoes. In some cases the heel piece slips. I have resolved that by placing a screw in the side of the shoe. Her feet / shoes are small - so, this may not be an issue for you.

I've gone the screw route before, but have generally opted to just using shoes with a fatter (wider) sole so I don't have to mess with it. Hokas are my current go-to, but most running shoes that aren't racing flats work well enough.

I weigh in close to 200lb, so a brace that goes inside the shoe just doesn't work for any real length of time. The discomfort is too much, especially running and hiking. I can get by with a "sleeker" in shoe model when I'm going for my poor attempt at style, but also knowing that my foot will be pissed at me by the time the day is over.

Also, for what it's worth, if you aren't going with something rigid (and I assume you consider the turbomed rigid) you're likely going to have some serious ankle instability issues. When I was trying to figure this out, I ran in a soft afo for a bit. Something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/...i&th=1&psc=1

... only it linked through the shoe.

My achilles didn't like it at all after a couple of weeks of short runs, and the elastic was essentially shot at that point. I still wore it, just walking around, mowing grass, etc. until I rolled my ankle bad from stepping on an oversized pebble. Honestly, they just don't work. If you like the soft stuff, wear it in the house, but I'll never wear one outside again. I'd rather just go brace free and have to be hyper aware of the ground I'm walking on. Those soft braces give too much comfort but with no security.

Long story short, go try out the turbomed. It's great to have your shoe fit the way it's supposed to, and it works really well.

Do you have peripheral nerve damage from the cord injury? Have you tried functional stimulation? What type of passive range do you have for dorsiflexion?

Glad to hear you are back and being healthy.

You should really work with AFO medical specialists for this, anything else can cause serious problems. You can get a referral from your ortho.

If no referral locally contact Happy Freedman at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan (he is on these forums too)
FreedmanHA@hss.edu

---

Anne Barnes
ABBikefit, Ltd
FIST/SICI/FIST DOWN DEEP
X/Y Coordinator
abbikefit@gmail.com

Thanks very much for everyone who took the time to reply and provide advice. Just getting back to the forum. Here are a few replies...

a) Do you have peripheral nerve damage from the cord injury? Have you tried functional stimulation? What type of passive range do you have for dorsiflexion?
- Yes. I've had the electrical stimulation tests and my big toe has been described as "permanently dead," so in both cases I was advised of nerve damage. I don't know what functional stimulation is or what my passive range is. I'm in Canada so the downside of public healthcare is that it takes forever to find the right answers and get the referrals to go thorugh the system. It took me almost a decade to find a specialist who really took the time and effort to get to answers and solutions and then over a year of referrals and wait times, otherwise I'd still be spending most of my day lying on my back on the floor. Good questions for me to ask at my next appointment, however.

Same goes for finding a referral to an AFO specialist - didn't know there was such a thing. And also for seeing USA-based care providers.

b) I'd rather just go brace free and have to be hyper aware of the ground I'm walking on. Those soft braces give too much comfort but with no security.
- That's kind of where I am as well. The brace I have now is uncomfortable, so I've been running on grass and dirt, slowly, and staying very of my footfalls. I am noticing that I have to ramp up very slowly, as my gait is a mess, the muscles are weak and my achilles and groin flair-up very quickly with even the smallest amount of overdoing it right now. Slow and steady...

c) Thanks for the XTRN recco - it looks worthwhile. I've reached-out to the Canadian distributor but unfortunately they are terrible for customer service. I've reached-out to them in the past for other product questions and same experience. Seems they've cornered the market on pretty much all ortho distribution for the country and don't feel they have to people...

Many thanks again and good luck everybody!