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

It's been a year since I shattered my right ankle and had it repaired with pins and plates. I devoutly did my PT exercises. I'm nearing 70 years old. I've tried a variety of ankle products with no real steadfast assistance for the pain. Not the side with the plate, but the inner ankle bone with 3 screws sporadically would shoot pain up my leg to the point of almost making me collapse. Any unexpected twist or slight turn would have me grabbing for anything for support. I'm not embarrassed to use a cane. But carrying a laundry basket or groceries while using a cane is not functional. I bought this brace. It's a little pricey...have to use it in a wide shoe ( I already had some upper sizes while healing. It's a tie shoe so my toes just have extra wiggle room. Brooks). I have been helping on the farm for harvest...walking with no issues...even on uneven ground...and stepping on walnuts that have fallen off trees. It's given me the support and confidence I needed. It even seems to be helping with the pain in my left hip. Very little ankle discomfort...just a little over the plate. I know everyone's injuries are different. I know it won't fit in every shoe I own. However, when I do take it off at night, my leg and ankle both feel stronger and more flexible without discomfort. Maybe my foot gets lined up appropriately with the brace. It took about a half day to adjust to wearing it. It's not invisible. It feels like a brace. But I would recommend it in heartbeat. It's definitely engineered differently than others...offers excellent support which helps alleviate pain and boost confidence. It's adjustable. I wear a size 7-8 shoe and purchased a small. There is padding on the interior for both ankle bones. I'm not ready for the rocking chair yet!

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 have been suffering from Achilles tendinitis for the last six months or so. Went in a boot and got some relief but if you’ve ever been in one it’s not a long term solution. My podiatrists didn’t have many solutions and advised against surgery. Well when the pain gets so bad you have trouble walking normally and you will do anything for relief ya search the internet. I finally found this product and so very glad I did! Only on day three but it has given me some relief from the intense pain. I have hope for the first time since the pain began!! I’m too young to feel this old! The only downside is I have a larger calf and ankles and the straps are a bit tight. But I am willing to give it time to stretch out a bit to be more comfortable on my upper ankle.

LIke: Adjustable fit. Talus support makes a huge difference for my talar dome injury. Very sturdy. Probably would have re injured myself walking without it in the 6 months after my injury. Dislike: Some of the material is pretty hard and can cut into your flesh - requires a full length sock. Bulky, and has pretty much deformed any shoes I’ve worn with it. Don’t expect to wear this with anything other than a sandal or sneaker type shoe. Can make very low cut shoes slip off. Overall: Product was shipped promptly and seems a good value for the price. Definitely does its job. Will last a long time. I wish they made a softer version for more casual protection now that I don’t need quite so much support. In some ways it’s the most comfortable ankle brace I’ve ever worn. Obviously far more comfortable / versatile than the walking boot in later recovery.