OPED VACOtalus Ankle Brace for sprains, Achilles Injuries, Support, Tendon Injuries

I was diagnosed with Achilles Tendinitis, I didn't hurt to walk just during certain movements, and my Dr. put me in a boot. I hate being that limited on movement, having to have the right height shoes and all the crud that goes with a walking boot. I already have back issues and the boot just accentuated them. I am so happy I found this. I ordered both sizes. I usually wear an 8 or 8.5. The only thing I noticed on the fit was that the standard size goes up a little higher on my leg, which is preferable for my condition. I stuck with the standard and I do not regret it. Since getting this brace I have not had to not wear my boot and I have been totally ok. I like having the stability and being able to control my range of motion. The only draw back, is that they don't fit well into shoes. Because of the strap across the top of my foot I have to wear my Birkenstocks, which I do most days anyways, but other cuter shoes are not an option as the straps don't fit around with the brace. All in all though, I am in love with this and am very happy with the functionality.

Thanks to a stroke several ago, I supinate and have moderate foot drop on one side. I am also an avid cyclist on a competitive amateur level. I have tried every brace, from full heavy duty medical, to "over-the-counter" braces like Zamst and Aircast - both excellent provided you don't have foot drop. I have spent many hundreds of dollars experimenting with, attempting to modify, and suffering miserably with braces that never worked the way I wanted them to. I wanted a brace that controlled the supination, helped me with the foot drop, and was comfortable and reasonably stealthy. All I ever got over the years was constant back pain, foot pain, increasingly diminished balance, and very poor gait. When I saw the Vacotalus brace, I chuckled a bit at the talus strap - it just seemed a bit gimmicky (it is actually one of the best features of this brace). And it was a few coins so I almost passed it by. But I decided to take a chance and I am so very glad I did. After putting it on, the first things I discovered was that it was easy, very light, but incredibly it completely restored my balance and gave me almost normal heel strike and gait. I still can't believe it. I have now put it to the test in pretty much every demanding situation-heavy bike riding, challenging terrain. When I need it, and about the only time I realize I'm wearing it, is when I need its support. And it is there, and provides the immediate support I need to feel confident. He really has been quite life-changing, actually. I now find myself working on unlearning all the terrible habits I fell into over the past several years. I'll buy another one soon, just so I'll have two. It totally works for me. But, if you are reading this review and you have a similar foot drop issue - but are in the high moderate or more level of foot drop, you might need something a little more heavy duty. The Step Smart brace is excellent but a bit more industrial than I needed at this point.Update: I had a chance to try out the effectiveness of this brace in the real world. I’m going down the flight of stairs, I missed a step and landed on my braced left foot, a drop of approximately 4 feet. Had I not been wearing the Oped Vacotalus brace, I would have turned my ankle, either sprained or broken, and fallen. Instead, I landed almost completely flat and stable, startled but otherwise perfectly fine. I’ve tried just about every competitors brace. None would have worked so well. Not even close.

I liked the brace, but it would not fit into any of my shoes or sneakers. I would, probably, fit nicely into crocks, but crocks are not for travel. I had to return it. I believe it will be very good for some people: you just have to try it for yourself. Without any shoes, it felt very good on my foot ( much better than the brace I got from the doctor's office). It has some nice features to protect your ankle. The brace from my doctor's office gave me the groove at the sight of injury. This one is designed to protect that area with a special padded insert.

Don’t waste your money with this product. Just like you are contemplating, I was willing to give this brace a try so I ordered it to check it out. The product is over manufactured and complicated in its design without providing any additional stability to the ankle; certainly no more than any other much more comfortable and user friendly ankle brace. The brace felt cumbersome on my ankle and was not comfortable for the brief period I tried it on in my house. Btw, I’m a physician, and have tried and used many other products which I found to be easier to use and more comfortable to wear without sacrificing stability to the ankle. Finally, to top it off, I returned the product in completely new condition, all labels and packaging intact and this seller charged me a “restocking” fee even though it clearly states that a fee of up to 50% “may” be charged on “used or damaged” items. So, bottom line, save your money and time, look at other products.

This is a wonderful, high quality brace -- but I could never get it to fit without cutting into the top of my heel.I've worn many braces for my damaged right ankle - and currently I have chronic plantar fasciitis. I hoped that the brace would hold my foot in place during sleep so that it would ease the first few steps in the morning.No. It doesn't (or at least for me it didn't) work on plantar fasciitis.If you are looking for adjustable (soft to semi-firm) ankle support this might work for you -- but be very careful about the sizing.