New Solution for Foot Drop

Turbomed Foot Drop Brace

Turbomed Foot Drop Brace replaces the traditional ankle-foot orthosis and works well beyond the traditional one’s limitation. It helps users with foot drop to walk farther.

Turbomed Foot Drop Brace

How to get rid of foot drop?

Do you know what “foot drop” is? Have you ever heard of ‘foot drop’?

Sudden accidents or unexplained causes, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or actual trauma, can lead to nerve damage. The common denominator in all cases of nerve damage, whether mild or severe, is the problem of “foot drop” during walking.

Foot drop is a condition in which the foot cannot be lifted upwards when walking. This is often a major stumbling block in recovery.

We saw many people suffering foot drop who have been instructed by doctors or other health care professionals to practise walking more and more. But most of them go to a bottleneck where they get stuck with the problem of ‘foot drop’.

If people have “foot drop”, they cannot lift their feet upwards when walking, and they have to exert extra effort at the knee, pelvis and waist to push their body forward. Therefore, they may be exhausted after just a short walk.

Traditional ankle-foot orthosis

The ‘traditional ankle-foot orthosis’ is the most basic and commonly used orthosis by Hong Kong public hospitals to help people suffering from foot drop. It is mostly made of polypropylene and is wrapped around the lower leg and foot. It is placed inside a shoe, so the users have to buy the shoes one to two sizes bigger to accommodate the orthosis.

The material used in ‘traditional ankle-foot orthosis’ is relatively hard as the foot and ankle should be supported to prevent foot drop. Users may feel the edge of the orthosis to scratch the skin around the ankle. In addition, users generally feel that the ‘ traditional ankle-foot orthosis ‘ is more constricting and the ankle is not flexible, causing unnatural gait.

Turbomed Foot Drop Brace – New External Ankle-Foot Orthosis

XTERN Classic

‘Turbomed Foot Drop Brace’ handles the problems of the ‘traditional ankle-foot orthosis’. It is hanged outside the shoe and does not take up any space inside the shoe. There is no need to buy a bigger shoes and the existing one can still be worn. Because it is hanged outside the shoe, nothing would touch the skin on the foot and ankle, and therefore no skin irritation exists.

The most important thing is that Turbomed is made of thermoplastic blend of various materials. Together with its unique design, it makes the whole structure more flexible and keep natural gait.

Turbomed Foot Drop Brace VS Traditional Ankle-Foot Orthosis

XTERN Frontier

The frontal approach of Xtern Frontier leaves the back of the shoe opening fully accessible for easy donning. The calf section features a magnetic buckle system that can be attached with one hand. These designs are beneficial to stroke patients. Stability of Xtern Frontier is 25% higher than that of Xtern Classic, and more useful for patients with poorer ankle stability.

XTERN Summit

Middle section of Xtern Summit is made of carbon fiber, and makes it 25% lighter than Xtern Classic. Higher stability has also been found in Xtern Summit. Dorsiflexion power of Xtern Summit is 18% higher than that of Xtern Classic, and more suitable for the patient with high demand of ankle dorsiflexion.

Fitting and follow-up

We provide professional fitting and follow-up of “Turbomed Foot Drop Brace” to ensure proper use. Our Pedorthic centres provide all three version – Xtern Classic, Xtern Frontier and Xtern Summit. For assessment and fitting of “Turbomed Foot Drop Brace”, please call our Pedorthic centres to make an appointment.