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Foot Braces: Types, Common Conditions and How to Choose
There are several types of foot braces, and each one does a different job. AFOs lift the foot for foot drop, night splints ease heel pain, and post-op shoes and walking boots protect the foot after surgery or a fracture.
Foot pain is common. Between 13% and 36% of adults report it, depending on the group studied, according to a study in Arthritis Care & Research. The good news is that most foot problems respond well to simple care, and the right foot support brace, from a foot brace for walking to a night splint, is often a big part of it.
This guide covers the main types of foot braces, the conditions they help and how to pick the right one. Each condition section links to a full guide if you want to go deeper.
Common Foot Conditions We Help With
- Foot DropToes catch or drag when you walk. AFOs lift the front of the foot.
- Plantar Fasciitis & Heel PainSharp heel pain with your first steps. Night splints help most.
- BunionsA bony bump at the base of the big toe. Splints ease pressure.
- Broken Foot or ToePost-op shoes and walking boots protect the bone while it heals.
- After Foot SurgeryPost-op shoes fit over bandages and keep the forefoot still.
- Diabetic FootOffloading shoes and boots take pressure off sores.
- Tarsal Tunnel SyndromeBurning or tingling in the sole from a squeezed nerve.
Foot pain by the numbers
13% to 36%of adults report foot pain in large population studiesSource: Arthritis Care & Research
2 millionpeople are treated for plantar fasciitis each yearSource: AAOS
795,000+people in the US have a stroke each year, a leading cause of foot dropSource: CDC
What Are the Different Types of Foot Braces?
Foot braces fall into five main groups. Some are made for walking, some for sleep, and some protect an injury while it heals. Knowing which group fits your problem narrows your choice fast.
AFOs
Lift the front of the foot for foot drop.
Night Splints
Hold a gentle stretch while you sleep.
Post-Op Shoes
Protect the foot after surgery or a broken toe.
Walking Boots
Support a broken foot, ankle or lower leg.
Bunion Splints
Ease pressure on the big toe.
Most foot braces come in adult sizes, and many also come in children's sizes, such as pediatric post-op shoes and walking boots. Some braces fit either foot, while others are made for the left or right side.
Foot Drop Braces and AFOs
Foot drop makes it hard to lift the front of your foot, so your toes catch or drag when you walk. It is a sign of a nerve, muscle or brain problem, not a disease on its own. Common causes include stroke, multiple sclerosis, narrowing of the spine that presses on nerves, and nerve damage near the knee, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
An ankle-foot orthosis, or AFO, holds the foot up as you step so your toes clear the ground. Most people start with a leaf spring AFO, which is light and fits inside a sneaker.
- Leaf spring AFOs are light and fit most shoes for mild foot drop.
- Carbon fiber AFOs return energy at push-off for active walkers.
- Foot-up wraps hold the foot up without a rigid footplate.
- Night splints keep the calf from tightening while you sleep.
Foot Drop Brace After a Stroke
Stroke is one of the most common causes of foot drop. More than 795,000 people in the US have a stroke each year, according to the CDC. Weakness on one side of the body often makes the foot slap or drag with each step.
An AFO can help you walk more safely while you rebuild strength in therapy. Your physical therapist can tell you how much support you need.
- Choose a brace for your affected side that fits your shoe.
- Look for straps you can close with one hand.
- Wear it in therapy and on daily walks, then build up time slowly.
Plantar Fasciitis Braces and Night Splints
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The thick band under your foot gets irritated, and your first steps in the morning often hurt the most. About 2 million people are treated for it each year, according to AAOS OrthoInfo.
Most people sleep with their toes pointed, which lets the band tighten overnight. A night splint holds the foot at a gentle stretch, and AAOS calls it very effective at reducing heel pain. More than 90% of people improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment.
- Night splints stretch the heel and calf while you sleep.
- Day splints and wraps support the arch while you walk.
- Silicone heel cups add cushion inside your shoe.
- Stretching and supportive shoes work best alongside a brace.
Bunion Splints and Bunion Relief
A bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big toe. It forms as the big toe slowly drifts toward the smaller toes, a condition called hallux valgus. It is one of the most common foot problems in adults.
Bunion splints can ease pain, but they can't reverse a bunion. Wider shoes and silicone pads can also relieve pressure on the bump. Think of a splint as a comfort tool. Only surgery corrects the bone.
- Night splints hold the big toe straighter while you rest.
- Hinged splints support the toe and still let it bend.
- Shoes with a wide toe box take pressure off the bump.
- Post-op shoes protect the foot after bunion surgery.
Foot Braces for a Broken Foot or Broken Toe
Most broken toes heal without surgery. A roomy shoe and taping the toe to its neighbor can help, and walking comfortably can take several weeks. A post-op shoe has a stiff, flat sole that keeps the toes from bending as you step.
A break in the long bones of the foot, called a metatarsal fracture, usually needs more support. Doctors often treat it with a cast or walking boot, adding weight slowly as it heals. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to put weight on it.
- Post-op shoes protect broken toes and fit over bandages.
- Short walking boots support metatarsal and midfoot fractures.
- Air walking boots use inflatable cells for a snug fit as swelling changes.
Post-Op Shoes After Foot Surgery
After bunion, hammer toe or forefoot surgery, your foot needs room for bandages and swelling. A post-op shoe opens wide with adjustable straps, and its rigid sole limits how much the front of the foot bends. Your surgeon will tell you how long to wear it.
Post-op shoes come in adult and children's sizes. Square toe styles give extra room for bulky dressings and protect the toes from bumps.
- An open toe and adjustable straps fit over dressings.
- A rigid sole limits bending at the front of the foot.
- Pediatric sizes fit kids after surgery or a broken toe.
Offloading for a Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet, so you may not feel a blister or sore. Nerve damage in the feet is a common problem with diabetes. A small sore can turn into an ulcer that heals slowly.
Offloading means taking pressure off the sore so it can heal. Offloading shoes and walking boots shift your weight away from the wound. Always work with your doctor or wound care team, since they decide which device you need and when to wear it.
- Offloading walker boots move pressure away from the sole of the foot.
- Check your feet every day for redness, blisters or cuts.
- See your doctor right away about any sore that isn't healing.
Tarsal Tunnel Brace Options
Tarsal tunnel syndrome happens when a nerve on the inside of the ankle gets squeezed. It can cause burning, tingling or numbness in the heel and sole. Flat feet, swelling after a sprain and conditions like diabetes or arthritis can all play a part.
Treatment usually starts with rest, ice, arch supports and supportive shoes. A brace can also reduce pressure on the foot when you have flat feet or more severe symptoms. Some people also use a dorsal night splint to keep the foot in a neutral position overnight.
- Arch supports limit the motion that squeezes the nerve.
- A dorsal night splint keeps the foot neutral while you sleep.
- Ask your doctor about numbness that doesn't go away.
Walking Boots for a Lisfranc Injury or Broken Leg
A Lisfranc injury damages the bones or ligaments in the middle of the foot. When surgery isn't needed, treatment often means several weeks in a cast or boot without putting weight on the foot. After that, you start walking in a removable boot.
A broken lower leg often moves into a tall walking boot once the bone is stable. Tall boots reach just below the knee and give more support than short boots. Only put weight on the foot when your doctor says it's safe.
- Tall boots support the lower leg, ankle and foot.
- Short boots work for many toe and forefoot injuries.
- Air boots let you adjust the fit as swelling changes.
How Do I Choose the Right Foot Brace?
1
Find Your Condition
Start with where it hurts and what's causing it. Heel pain, foot drop and a broken toe need very different braces.
2Pick the Brace Type
Think about when you'll wear it. AFOs fit inside a roomy shoe for walking, night splints are for sleep, and post-op shoes and boots replace your shoe.
3Choose Your Size
Use the size chart on the product page. Most foot braces are sized by shoe size, but some use foot width or calf size.
How to Choose a Foot Brace Size
Every brace has its own size chart on the product page, so check it before you order. Many foot braces are sized by shoe size, while others use the width of the foot or the calf. Check whether the brace is made for the left or right foot, too. If you're between sizes, our team can help you choose.
Our Best-Selling Foot Braces
Insurance and HCPCS Codes
Most foot braces have an HCPCS code, the billing code Medicare and insurers use for medical equipment. We don't bill insurance, but you can submit your receipt to your insurer for possible reimbursement. Most of our braces are also HSA and FSA eligible.
Talk to a Brace Specialist
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Tell us what's going on with your foot and we'll help you find the right brace. Our specialists can help you choose a size and style before you buy, and after your brace arrives you can use our fitting videos or book a virtual fitting session.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of purchase. See our Return Policy for details.
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Shop foot bracesFoot Brace Questions We Hear Most
What Are the Different Types of Foot Braces?
The main types are AFOs, night splints, post-op shoes, walking boots and bunion splints. AFOs help foot drop, night splints help heel pain, and post-op shoes and walking boots protect the foot after surgery or a fracture.
What Kind of Brace Is Best for Foot Pain?
It depends on where it hurts. Heel pain usually calls for a night splint, toes that drag call for an AFO, a broken toe calls for a post-op shoe, and a painful big toe bump may ease with a bunion splint.
Suggested: Brace Direct 90 Degree Night Splint or Brace Direct Leaf Spring AFO
Can I Walk in a Foot Brace?
Yes, if it's made for walking. AFOs, post-op shoes and walking boots are made to walk in. Night splints are for rest and sleep, so take them off before you get up.
Suggested: Brace Direct Post Op Shoe
Should I Wear a Foot Brace All Day or Only When Walking?
Follow the plan from your doctor or therapist. Walking braces are worn when you're on your feet, and night splints are worn while you sleep. Take short breaks to check your skin for red marks.
Do I Need a Prescription for a Foot Brace?
You can buy most of our foot braces without a prescription. If you plan to submit a claim to your insurer, they may ask for one.
Can You Wear a Foot Brace With Regular Shoes?
Many AFOs and arch supports fit inside a roomy sneaker. Post-op shoes and walking boots replace your shoe on that foot.
Suggested: Brace Direct Leaf Spring AFO
How Tight Should a Foot Brace Be?
Snug, but not tight. You should be able to slide a finger under each strap. Numbness, tingling or a change in skin color means it's too tight.
How Long Should I Wear a Foot Brace After an Injury?
It depends on the injury. A broken toe can take several weeks before normal shoes feel comfortable, and a midfoot injury often needs weeks without putting weight on the foot. Your doctor decides when to stop.
What Kind of Boot Is Used for a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?
Doctors often use an offloading walker boot or a special cast that takes pressure off the wound. Your wound care team will choose the right device for you.
Suggested: Ossur DH Offloading Walker Boot
Can Diabetics Wear a Walking Boot?
Yes, many people with diabetes wear walking boots. Because nerve damage can hide rubbing, check your skin every day and tell your doctor about any new sore.
Sources
- Prevalence of Foot Pain Across an International Consortium of Population-Based Cohorts (Gates LS et al., Arthritis Care & Research, 2019). Arthritis Care & Research. Link
- Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) OrthoInfo. Link
- Foot Drop. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Link
- Stroke Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Link