Frequently Asked Questions about the Easy Gait^™ Brace

ANSWER: It is attached externally to the outside of a lace-up shoe or sneaker that fits your foot comfortably. You don't walk on a hard plastic insert so you'll enjoy much better balance. If you are a diabetic, the Easy Gait™ Brace can also prevent sores or ulcers caused by rubbing. It weighs less than 1/2-lb. unlike heavier walking devices that often weigh as much as 4 lbs. And, it's much cooler in hot weather. In fact, we now affix the brace to certain sandals!

QUESTION: How does this walking device work?

ANSWER: The elastic straps lift your foot above the neutral position and are adjustable. They replace the peroneal muscles in your leg and enable you to walk with a normal heel-to-toe gait without slapping the ground or floor. It's just basic engineering!

QUESTION: Can the same Easy Gait™ Brace be used on different shoes?

ANSWER: Absolutely, provided you switch it from one shoe to a similar shoe on the same leg. Ditto for sneakers. However, we must add a heel adapter patch and two snaps to your other shoe or sneaker before you can re-attach the brace. We make sure the adapter and new set of straps match the color of your shoes!

QUESTION: What brands of men's and women's footwear work best with the Easy Gait™ Brace?

ANSWER: Any comfortable, popular tie shoe or sneaker may be worn with this walking assistance. National brands for ladies include SAS, Pedors and Yukon. Any casual lace-up shoe for men will work. Preferences for sneakers among our customers include New Balance, Asics, Brooks and Nike.

QUESTION: Does your brace come in different colors?

ANSWER: The lightweight plastic support material we use to form the Easy Gait™ Brace comes in three hues: opaque (or white), black and tan. We recently introduced a clear plastic acrylic support that's especially attractive for women who prefer to wear a dress instead of slacks.

QUESTION: What is the purpose of the small white plastic or gold metal ring you provide with each brace?

ANSWER: It is held in place by your shoelaces and has two purposes: Before you affix both elastic straps from the support piece behind your leg to the snaps near the front of your shoe, run them through the ring. Your trousers or slacks can fall in a straight line from your waist to your shoes. The ring may also help adjust the tension that lifts the front of your foot.

QUESTION: Give me an idea how much the Easy Gait™ Brace costs.

ANSWER: Most custom manufactured drop foot braces cost from $800 to $1100 each. Since Walk Right, Inc. markets the Easy Gait™ Brace directly to patients, we can sell our product for about half the cost of more conventional, "polio-type" AFO's. There is no excessive mark-up associated with our walking device. And, our customers apply directly for reimbursement from their insurance carrier or Medicare not through our company.

QUESTION: Can I wear regular socks with my Easy Gait™ Brace?

ANSWER: We strongly recommend that you wear moisture absorbent knee high 100% cotton socks. The Easy Gait™ Brace is made to loosely fit your calf and slides easily over dry fabric...not moist skin. You may cut the bottom off long socks; then, slip the remaining elastic top over shorter, ankle high socks up to several inches below the knee. Socks will protect your leg against rubbing and itching.

QUESTION: How do I get reimbursed after buying your walking device?

ANSWER: We have added a special section to our web site that covers the subject of reimbursement from Medicaid, Medicare or your personal health insurance provider. Your physician or therapist may help you get the proper application forms.

QUESTION: Suppose I get an Easy Gait™ Brace and it doesn't fit correctly?

ANSWER: We will pull out all the stops and work closely with you to make sure your brace fits properly and is crafted to the exact measurements you provide. If you find the plastic support piece is too loose (or too tight), just send it back to us with a note or closeup photos of your leg and explain the problem. We'll make the required adjustments and mail the brace right back to you.

If you lose the grommets that hold the upright plastic support piece to the back of your shoe or sneaker, just call or e-mail us and we'll send you some replacements. We'll even re-position the military snaps on either side of your shoelaces if they press against your foot!

Our written Warranty covers defective parts and workmanship within 30 days after purchase. It is mailed with your completed brace assembly.

QUESTION: I have a pre-schooler with Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Can you make your orthosis for him?

ANSWER: Yes, provided his shoes or sneakers have laces or a velcro strip and you accurately measure his legs so we can custom-make his brace. Obviously, we'll have to increase the length and width as he grows. We have developed a complete line of Easy Gait™ Braces for children using clear plastic support material. Our company is especially interested in working with kids in the initial stages of foot drop to keep them from wearing rigid braces or undergoing a surgical procedure.

QUESTION: How long does it take to get your AFO ? Do you have any local technicians near me ?

ANSWER: Our production staff needs 12 to 14 working days from the time they receive your footwear and Measurement Sheet until they complete your Easy Gait™ Brace assembly. We will send it right back to you via 2-Day Priority Mail. Our offices and manufacturing facility are located in Northeast Ohio. We do not have a sales force or technical service people in the field

QUESTION: My neurologist never heard of your product. He wants me to try it out before buying one.

ANSWER: Walk Right, Inc. is just 4 years old and we started to market the Easy Gait™ Brace in 2003. We haven't advertised our brace in medical journals yet nor do we employ a professional sales force to call on physicians who may rely on well-established AFO manufacturers to supply standard orthoses to their patients.

Our staff attends a handful of national conferences as well as local support group meetings where we give attendees the opportunity to try walking with the Easy Gait™ Brace. I have had foot drop since 1978 and demonstrate how my invention enables me to walk normally, climb steps and inclines and even play basketball! Public relations articles, word-of-mouth and our web site also play key roles in getting out the word.

QUESTION: Do you sell any other products besides your brace?

ANSWER: You bet! To my knowledge, we are the first company in our industry to offer a brace that may be worn with sandals for people who live in hot weather states or go to the beach. You already know about our clear plastic support piece designed especially for women who want to look more fashionable and attractive --especially at social events or business meetings. Our Easy Gait™ Braces for children are quickly gaining support from pediatric rehabilitation doctors and therapists around the country.

QUESTION: Can I see a video demonstration of your Easy Gait™ Brace?

ANSWER: Glad you asked! If your computer has Windows Media Player, you may click below and watch the interview I gave at the World Congress and Exposition on Disabilities in Orlando, FL.