Aircast AirHeel Ankle Support Brace (with and Without Stabilizers)

My podiatrist recommended this brace after a year in which I've been fighting plantar fasciitis, and it's saved me. The padding goes under the arch, providing support and presumably also stretching the plantar tendon with each step. It doesn't actually cushion the heel itself. But what it does do--and this is brilliant, whether intended or not--is that it essentially lifts the heel up off the ground, preventing it from striking the ground at all. So for the first time in a year I found myself walking, not with less pain, but with no pain whatsoever. This in turn seems to have allowed my heel to begin to recover and repair itself. Of course, I continue to do all of the requisite stretching, and it's finally starting to pay off. For full disclosure, I also allowed the podiatrist to give me a cortisone shot, which helped a bit but wasn't at all a magic bullet. If I didn't wear the Aircast, my heel still would hurt a lot, even after the shot. I believe it's the weeks of relief from striking the ground, coupled with the continued stretching, that have finally allowed my heel to begin heal. One caution: If you walk around a lot with the Aircast on, you're slightly throwing your body out of alignment because it lifts your right side a bit. I tend to get a light of tightness and cramping in my right side, and wearing the Aircast exacerbated that. So I had to take a few days off to allow my right side to loosen up. Others may not have this problem at all. But we're leaving on a trip that will entail lots of walking, so I've bought a second one and will wear it on my good foot so my body will be even. This is a consideration for people who have back issues, etc. One more point: there's a place in the back where a thin plastic liner sticks out and can rub annoyingly--even painfully--into your Achilles tendon. I took a small scissors and cut out the offending and unnecessary plastic. Took two minutes and now it's fine. Some reviewers have complained of the device deflating. I've been wearing it for weeks, and no such problem. If you've got plantar fasciitis, run (gently), don't walk, to get one of these!

Well, I had very little confidence that this was going to work as I have tried everything else with very little relief. And I do not know why or how it works but it worked on me. I really cannot believe that it relived my heel pain almost immediately, I bought the one with stabilizer, and now I’m ordering the one without just to see which one I like the best. I read a few of the other reviews before I bought it and they were kinda mixed so I didn’t have a lot of hope but for me, it’s a game changer, I can walk without a limp, and my foot actually doesn’t hurt all day. This is the third day of wearing it, I hope it lasts. Because I keep waiting for the pain to return but it hasn’t. If you have planter fasciitis , it’s well worth trying to see if it works for you.

the brace really helps with the pain, it’s easy to put on. I would suggest a softer layer on the back of the ankle as that part rubs on your skin and is irritating.

I've been having terrible pain in my heels for a couple of years every time I played ball to the point where I would be limping for 2-3 days after but since I started wearing these aircasts, I've literally had zero pain!! Highly recommend these!

Do not buy this if you've recently had Achilles surgery. I thought it would lend support and make walking easier a little. The plastic from the "stabilizer" which is only a piece of HARD, SHARP plastic with a tiny bit of air in it is HORRIFIC for your wound. I put it on, took 2 steps and back in the box

Had to return the first one that came because it had already been opened and used (box was opened and crushed). Didnt have the instruction sheet either so I knew it was a return, which is gross cause its been on someone else's feet (barf). It also seemed deflated and wasnt the way it should be. Told Amazon I wanted a new one and they shipped out a new one right away. Got it today and have been wearing it. It works really well. Only thing is you want to wear socks because the plastic material on the achilles digs into your skin as its not stitched the best.

I wear a womans shoe size 7.5/8. I got the small with stabilizers. It was on super sale for some reason, only in this size. I sprained my ankle a year ago and have had issues since. When they arrived they seemed the part that wraps around the foot would be too tight. I needed something as I'd be walking around all day that day so I shoved my foot in and hoped for the best. I was so pleasantly suprised! It was SUPER comfortable. My toes didn't go numb. Great stability. And the air cushion that goes under the arch by the heal has a tube to air pockets behind the anckle. So when you step the air goes back and forth. It's like a massage for your ankle. My foot has not felt that amazing since I sprained it. Im extremely happy. I never would have bought it at the price range it is (between $30-40) but now that I have worn it, I would buy it. Totally worth the price.

Uncomfortable. The blue piece that goes against the back of your heel has plastic exposed, so when you wear it, even when you are not walking, it rubs against your heel. It’s uncomfortable. I think the product had improvements to make it both functional and comfortable.

This was a life saver! Almost immediately after wearing it, my pain went away, I'm a bigger person..300+ ponds and the cast supported my weight no problem.

Very comfortable in use, and makes walking a pleasure again.

Mi ha gustado materia de producto, es suave! Es para uso cuando mi duele pierna . Ayuda mejor andando ! Pero cuando lleva un , quedado 2 pierna andando diferente niveles. Hay que compro otro para andando igual niveles! Si mi opinión le ha servido de ayuda sobre el producto, agradeceríamos el que, si no le es molestia, pulsase en "útil". ¡Mil gracias! ;)

Son muy funcionales, para aliviar el dolor del tendo de aqules,y para el espolones en el talon y muy durables

Bought for my mother. After some time wearing she has told me that her foot pain had reduced immensely!