Foot & Shoe
Short Cam Boot (Pneumatic Walking Boot)
For foot fractures (metatarsal, midfoot, toe), forefoot or midfoot surgery, plantar plate injuries, and minor ankle sprains where the injury sits at or below the ankle. The short cam boot extends from the toes up to mid-calf — high enough to immobilize the ankle but low enough that it doesn't dig into the back of the knee when sitting. Generally more tolerable for desk work and long days than the tall version.
Sizing Guide
Sized by shoe size. Check the manufacturer's chart. If between sizes, go up. The footbed should match your foot length with no more than a finger's width of extra space. The boot top should land just below the calf muscle — if it digs into the back of the knee when you sit, the boot is too tall (try a different shoe-size grade or confirm you actually need a tall boot).
Tips & Tricks
Pump the air bladder until snug but not tight. Tighten straps from bottom to top. Wear a tall sock that covers above the boot top to prevent skin irritation. Pair with an EvenUp shoe lift (see below) on the opposite foot to keep your hips level — the cam boot adds 1.5"-2" to your stance height, and walking unbalanced strains the back and hip.
Common Mistakes
Buying a tall cam boot when a short one would do — taller boots are harder to wear all day and bind at the back of the knee when sitting. Buying oversized is the second most common error — an oversized boot slides and doesn't immobilize. Walking without inflating the air bladder leaves your limb loose inside the shell, which defeats the immobilization. Skipping the EvenUp on the other foot causes the hip-and-back ache that knocks compliance off.
Tall Cam Boot (Pneumatic Walking Boot)
For ankle fractures (distal tibia/fibula), severe ankle sprains, Achilles tendon repair / rupture recovery, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and any injury that sits at or above the ankle and needs control of the lower leg as well as the foot. The tall cam boot extends from the toes up past mid-calf, providing more rigid control of the ankle joint and protecting injured soft tissue further up the leg. Standard issue for post-op Achilles patients.
Sizing Guide
Sized by shoe size. Check the manufacturer's chart. If between sizes, go up. The footbed should match your foot length with no more than a finger's width of extra space. The boot top should land below the calf's widest point so the upper straps can anchor above the calf muscle belly — if the boot is too tall for your leg, the top digs in behind the knee when you sit. Try the short version above if the tall boot doesn't fit your leg length.
Tips & Tricks
Pump the air bladder until snug but not tight. Tighten straps from bottom to top. Wear a tall sock that covers the top of the boot for skin protection. Pair with an EvenUp shoe lift (see below) on the opposite foot — the tall boot adds even more height than the short, so hip-leveling matters more. For Achilles patients, your surgeon may direct you to use stacked heel wedges (see below) inside the boot during the first weeks; remove one wedge per week as healing progresses.
Common Mistakes
Wearing a tall boot for an injury that only needs short-boot control — it's heavier, hotter, and more uncomfortable than the short version, and there's no clinical benefit. The reverse is also a mistake: a short boot for an ankle or Achilles injury leaves the proximal soft tissue unprotected. Confirm the boot height your surgeon wants. Skipping the EvenUp causes hip and back ache that becomes the reason patients abandon the boot. Walking without inflating the air bladder leaves the limb loose inside the shell.
FP Walker (Anterior / Dorsal Protection Boot)
For injuries that need not just immobilization but PROTECTION of the front (anterior) of the lower leg and the top (dorsum) of the foot — crush injuries, post-debridement wound care on the anterior tibia or dorsum, severe contusions, or any case where pressure or contact on the front of the leg/foot would damage healing tissue. The Aircast FP Walker has a rigid anterior shell that protects the dorsum + anterior leg from external contact, unlike standard cam boots that wrap around the back of the leg with the front of the foot relatively exposed.
Sizing Guide
Sized by shoe size. Check Aircast's chart. The dorsal/anterior shell needs enough clearance over any wound dressing or swelling — don't size based on uninjured-foot measurement alone if there's significant swelling or a bulky dressing. Tall design; the top of the shell should land just below the calf's widest point so the upper strap anchors above the calf muscle belly.
Tips & Tricks
The FP Walker is what we reach for when a patient needs a cam boot AND the dorsum or anterior leg has a wound or contusion that can't tolerate pressure. Tighten straps from bottom to top, leaving the anterior shell sitting freely over the wound — the shell should bridge the injury, not press on it. Pair with EvenUp on the opposite foot for hip leveling. If wound care requires daily dressing changes, the boot's modular design lets you remove the front shell for access.
Common Mistakes
Using a standard cam boot when the patient actually needs anterior protection — pressure or contact on a healing wound or contusion can re-injure or delay healing. Conversely, using the FP Walker for a routine ankle fracture is overkill; a standard tall cam boot is simpler and lighter. Confirm with the surgeon what level of anterior protection the injury actually needs.
Heel Lift (Adjust-A-Lift)
For leg length discrepancy, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis relief.
Sizing Guide
These are the same sizes as the original Adjust-A-Lift brand. Choose your size based on shoe size from the product images. Each layer adds 1/8 inch of height, and layers peel away to reduce height as needed.
Tips & Tricks
Start with the lowest height setting and increase gradually. Place the lift inside your shoe under the insole for the most secure fit. Peel away a layer to decrease height if needed. A good pair of scissors can trim the width to fit your shoe if it is too wide.
Common Mistakes
Starting too high can cause knee or hip pain. Only increase height as directed by your clinician. The lifts tend to pack out over time, so the height will decrease slightly with long-term use. You may need to add a layer back if you notice the lift feeling thinner.
Shoe Lift for Cam Walkers (EvenUp)
For leveling your hips when wearing a cam boot on one foot. Worn on the opposite shoe.
Sizing Guide
Measure your shoe length: place it on a flat surface and measure heel to toe. Check the product images for the size chart. For wide feet, order one size up. A slight overhang at the toe or heel is fine. The EvenUp fits best with a regular profile athletic shoe without a wide, thick heel. It works on left or right foot and comes in sizes including kids.
Tips & Tricks
The EvenUp has 3 height adjustments: 1/2", 3/4", or 1-1/4". A typical cam boot adds about 1-1/2" to 2" of height, but remember you also need to account for the height of the shoe you are wearing on the booted foot inside the cam boot. Strap the EvenUp securely onto your regular shoe on the non-booted foot. Walk slowly at first to adjust. Look for the black model with the teal bottom, which is the authentic EVENup.
Common Mistakes
Not using a shoe lift with a cam boot is a common oversight. The height difference causes limping and can lead to back or hip pain. The EvenUp will not fully match the cam boot height since cam boots are typically taller than the maximum 1-1/4" setting, but it significantly reduces the difference and improves your gait.
Post-Op Shoe
For post-surgical protection of the forefoot, toe fractures, and bunion surgery recovery.
Sizing Guide
Post-op shoes are sized by shoe size. The shoe should be roomy enough to accommodate bandages or dressings.
Tips & Tricks
Fasten all straps for a secure fit. The rigid sole protects the surgical site while walking.
Common Mistakes
Walking without fastening the straps reduces stability. Make sure the shoe is wide enough to fit over any post-surgical dressings.
Achilles Heel Wedge
For Achilles tendonitis, Achilles tendon rupture recovery, and post-surgical Achilles repair. Worn inside a cam boot or shoe to reduce stretch on the Achilles tendon.
Sizing Guide
Most heel wedges come as a stackable set with 2 to 4 layers of equal thickness (typically 1/4 inch each). One size generally fits adult shoe sizes. Choose sets that include adhesive backing for use inside shoes, or rigid wedges designed to drop into a cam boot.
Tips & Tricks
Start with the highest stack your provider prescribes (often 1 to 1.5 inches of lift) and remove one wedge every 1 to 2 weeks as healing progresses. If wearing inside a cam boot, both feet need lift adjustment — wear an EvenUp on the other shoe to level your hips. Always use wedges in both the booted foot and the regular shoe symmetrically when possible.
Common Mistakes
Removing the wedges too quickly can re-injure the Achilles tendon. Removing them all at once instead of one at a time creates a sudden stretch on healing tissue. Skipping the lift on the non-booted side leaves your hips unlevel and can cause back pain.
Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
For plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and morning heel pain. Holds the foot in a gentle stretch while you sleep so the plantar fascia heals in a lengthened position.
Sizing Guide
Sized by shoe size and calf circumference. Match to the manufacturer's chart. The splint should cover from just below the knee to the ball of the foot. Choose between rigid boot-style splints or soft sock-style splints based on your comfort preference.
Tips & Tricks
Wear at night during sleep. The splint holds the ankle at 90 degrees or slightly past, gently stretching the plantar fascia and Achilles. The goal is to reduce the morning "first step" pain by preventing the tissues from tightening overnight. Build up wear time gradually — start with a few hours and work up to a full night if needed.
Common Mistakes
A splint that forces the foot into too much dorsiflexion is uncomfortable and may wake you up. The angle should be a gentle stretch, not painful. Soft sock-style splints are usually more comfortable for long-term overnight wear than rigid boots. Walking around in the splint can cause falls — only wear in bed.
Carbon Fiber AFO — Anterior Tibial Shell
For drop foot with concurrent weak knee stability or genu recurvatum (knee hyperextension), and as a good biomechanical fit for flat-feet/pes planus patients. The shell sits across the FRONT of the tibia (rather than behind the calf), and the lateral strut connects down to the foot plate. The forward shell pushes the knee back at the end of stance phase — that's the design feature that helps patients whose knee buckles into hyperextension as they push off. The lateral-side strut also tracks better on patients with flat feet since it sits along the outside of the foot.
⚠️ Strong warning for diabetes / peripheral neuropathy patients: do NOT purchase a carbon fiber AFO online. A professional orthotist will check for pressure points, fit the strut and shell to your specific limb shape, and prevent the skin breakdown and ulcers that an insensate foot can develop from a poorly-fitted brace. The same applies to severely swollen limbs, existing foot ulcers, significant foot deformity, or severe spasticity — those cases need a custom-fit traditional AFO from a CPO, not an off-the-shelf carbon brace.
Sizing Guide
Sized by body weight and shoe size with stiffness grades matched to your weight range. Brand names include the Allard ToeOFF and Thuasne SpryStep (HCPCS L1951/L1952 — usually billable through insurance when prescribed). Heel height adds 12-15 mm — your opposite shoe needs an EvenUp or matching insole to level the hips. Carbon fiber is brittle and difficult to cut or finish — trim work and edge polishing should be done by an orthotist, not in-home.
Tips & Tricks
Lace-up shoes (NOT slip-ons) are essential — you need to open the shoe fully to get the foot, brace, and foot plate inside without forcing it. The shoe needs a removable insole and extra depth (look for the AFO/SMO-friendly shoes on the Pediatric page — many of those work for adults too). Wear over a tall sock or stockinette to protect the skin. The anterior shell is the trickier of the two designs to don because the front of the leg has less give than the back of the calf — practice with a CPO before going solo.
Common Mistakes
Buying an off-the-shelf brace when fit is critical — even non-diabetic patients see better outcomes from a CPO-fitted brace because the strut angle, shell trim, and foot-plate stiffness all need to be matched to your gait. Picking a stiffness grade that's too soft for your body weight lets the foot drop on every step; too stiff and the brace feels rigid and resists natural ankle motion. Using slip-on shoes — you can't get the AFO into a shoe without laces.
This brace is best fit by a Certified Orthotist (CPO). Find one near you through the ABC Find a Practitioner directory, or check with your orthopedist or PM&R doctor. Look at the manufacturer site (Allard ToeOFF) for product details before your fitting appointment.
Carbon Fiber AFO — Posterior Calf Section
For drop foot (weak dorsiflexion) caused by stroke, MS, post-polio, peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury — when you don't need the knee-stabilizing effect of the anterior shell. The shell wraps around the BACK of the calf, and the lateral strut connects down to the foot plate. The posterior design is generally more flexible and less cumbersome to wear — patients often report it feels lighter and freer at the ankle. The trade-off: getting the foot and brace into a shoe is harder, because you can't slide the foot in as easily as you can with the anterior version.
⚠️ Strong warning for diabetes / peripheral neuropathy patients: do NOT purchase a carbon fiber AFO online. A professional orthotist will check for pressure points, fit the strut and shell to your specific limb shape, and prevent skin breakdown that an insensate foot can develop from a poorly-fitted brace. Severely swollen limbs, foot ulcers, significant foot deformity, or severe spasticity also need a custom-fit traditional AFO from a CPO.
Sizing Guide
Sized by body weight and shoe size with stiffness grades matched to your weight range. Brand examples include the Allard BlueRocker and Ottobock WalkOn (HCPCS L1951/L1952 — usually billable through insurance when prescribed). Heel height adds 12-15 mm; pair with an EvenUp on the other shoe. Carbon fiber is brittle and difficult to cut or finish — leave trim work to an orthotist.
Tips & Tricks
Lace-up shoes (NOT slip-ons) are essential — open the shoe fully and slide the brace-and-foot down into the shoe together. Many patients find a long-handled shoe horn helpful with this design specifically. Wear over a tall sock or stockinette. The posterior shell is more comfortable for long days but harder to don than the anterior version — budget extra time in the morning and after long sits.
Common Mistakes
Buying off-the-shelf for a complex gait pattern when a CPO-fitted brace gives a better outcome. Picking a stiffness grade that's too soft for your body weight lets the foot drop on every step; too stiff and the brace fights natural ankle motion. Forcing the foot into a slip-on shoe — use lace-ups. Trying to use this brace if you have significant knee instability or hyperextension — the anterior tibial shell version above is the right design for that.
Best fit by a Certified Orthotist (CPO). Find one near you through the ABC Find a Practitioner directory, or check with your orthopedist or PM&R doctor. Look at the manufacturer site (Allard BlueRocker) for product details before your fitting appointment.
Foot Up Brace (Mild Foot Drop)
For mild foot drop — the kind where dorsiflexion is weak enough to cause occasional toe-scuffing but not weak enough to need a full carbon fiber AFO. This style is a soft strap that wraps around the ankle with an elastic band that connects up to a shoelace clip on the shoe, gently lifting the toes during swing phase. Significantly cheaper than a carbon AFO and much easier to put on, but much less effective — it does NOT do anything to help knee stability, does not control the foot plate, and does not work for moderate or severe foot drop.
Sizing Guide
Most foot-up braces are one-size-adjustable with hook-and-loop closure, fitting ankle circumferences in a wide range. The elastic loop clips to a shoelace. You'll need a lace-up shoe — clips don't attach to slip-ons or stretch laces. The brace is universal left/right.
Tips & Tricks
Position the ankle cuff above the ankle bones, not over them — the bony prominences will get sore quickly under the cuff. Adjust the elastic tension so your toes lift just enough to clear the ground during swing — not so tight that you feel constant tension on the shoelaces. If you trip occasionally despite wearing the brace, you've outgrown what this product can do — step up to a carbon AFO.
Common Mistakes
Buying a foot-up brace when you actually need a carbon AFO — moderate or severe foot drop won't be controlled by an elastic strap. If you regularly catch toes on stairs or uneven surfaces, this is under-bracing. Tightening the elastic too much creates constant tension on the foot and ankle that gets uncomfortable over the day. Wearing it on a slip-on shoe — the clip needs laces to anchor to.
Post-Op Recovery Shoe (Diabetic-Friendly)
For post-surgical foot recovery, broken toes, foot fractures, mild forefoot wound healing, and protection of diabetic feet. Includes a decompression insole to help redistribute pressure away from sore spots and protect the toes during recovery.
Sizing Guide
Sized by shoe size. Match to the manufacturer's chart. The shoe should be roomy enough to accommodate wound dressings or padding without pressure. Most are sold as one shoe and fit either left or right foot.
Tips & Tricks
Fasten all the straps for a secure fit so the shoe does not slide while you walk. Place the decompression insole inside the shoe before wearing — some models let you cut or modify the insole to relieve pressure under a specific spot. Wear a matching-height EvenUp shoe lift on the other foot to keep your hips level and prevent back or hip pain.
Common Mistakes
Walking on uneven ground in the offloading shoe is a fall risk. Skipping the level-up on the other foot causes uneven hips and back pain. For deeper or more severe diabetic wounds (Wagner grade 2+), a clinical-grade wound care shoe like the Darco DUO Pro is a better fit — confirm with your provider that this style of shoe is appropriate for your specific injury or wound.