New Device Treats Foot Drop Caused by Cerebral Palsy and Other Conditions

Saebo has launched a new product to improve impaired foot mobility and function, designed for people with cerebral palsy and other diseases that cause foot drop.

The device, SaeboStep, is a lightweight, uniquely designed foot drop brace that provides convenience and comfort while offering optimum foot clearance and support during walking.

Foot drop, also known as dropped foot or drop foot, is defined as “the inability to raise the front part of the foot due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift the foot,” according to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders. This causes the toes to drag along the ground while walking. To avoid dragging the toes, people with foot drop may lift their knee higher than normal, or they may swing their leg in a wide arc.

Foot drop can have many different causes, and usually is seen in people with conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Foot drop also may occur as a result of hip replacement surgery or knee ligament reconstruction surgery.

Saebo said that ORC International, an independent research company, recently discovered that 99% of American adults with foot drop do not wear a brace to help them walk normally.

SaeboStep was designed to replace uncomfortable, stiff, or bulky splints that go inside the shoe, and poorly manufactured braces designed for outside of the shoe that lack support and durability. SaeboStep can be worn with a variety of male and female shoes, with or without laces, making foot mobility and function more possible than ever, according to the company.

A hook-and-loop Velcro strapping system and nylon buckle secures the SaeboStep device to the ankle. Also, a revolutionary technology allows individuals to quickly customize the lift angle required for safe foot clearance during walking, according to the company.

“For decades, clients have complained about the discomfort, appearance, and shoe limitations traditional foot drop braces offer,” Henry Hoffman, Saebo co-founder, said in recent press release. “We feel these concerns are not only valid but unnecessary for many clients.”

By using SaeboStep, people with foot drop can regain mobility in their legs and aid with walking, he said.

“With this simple-to-use dial technology, clients can quickly adjust the lift angle, one-handed, to the appropriate degree for safe foot clearance during walking as well as release tension at any given time if needed,” Hoffman concluded.

According to Saebo’s website, the product sells for $149.