AircastAirHeel 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!

I have Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and peroneal tendonitis in my right foot. After more than a year of severe pain I was told that the only solution was 6-12 weeks immobilized in a full walking boot, along with a night splint (which I was already using). I got the boot (paid $100 co-pay after my insurance paid their portion!) and tried it for a few weeks. It hurt my foot in places it wasn't already hurting. And, it was such a hassle since I had to take it off to drive (as instructed by my doctor), so I was constantly having to change from a shoe to the boot. Walking in it also threw my gait off. I looked for other solutions and stumbled upon this. After just a few days of wearing it, the pain was so much better! It is not gone, but I no longer have days of barely being able to walk like I did before, and I think it is getting better every day. I thought I was going to have to go on disability before I found this product. I am on my feet all day at work, and I wear this with my shoes (fits comfortably). I have also found that wearing it under my night splint is helpful as well. I basically never take it off! I have a milder case of Achilles tendonitis in my left foot and have just ordered a second one just for use at home/at night on the left foot. This product is a lifesaver and I'm planning on telling my doctor about it when I next see him.

Product worked well until it started to rip. This is the 2nd time I had to purchase this brace and both have ripped leaving zero to know support

I have been experiencing Achilles tendonitis and bought this to help hold my ankle steady when I'm not wearing boots. I think the design is ingenius, and it does support my heel when I walk and is quite comfortable and fits easily inside of shoes. The tendonitis hasn't completely disappeared, but I don't feel that's the fault of the Aircast. It's been a good tool in the overall treatment.

I have chronic achilles issues and occasional plantar fasciitis problems that interfere with running. In the morning, they inhibit my ability to just walk across the room until I get loosened up.I have started to use this brace when I am running, walking, and standing for extended periods, and it has been amazing in reducing both pain and morning stiffness. I just got home from running a hilly 10K and I am pain-free and can still walk!It does feel a little strange at first and doesn't fit in some of my skimpier shoes, but in sneakers and running shoes it is fine. I don't like high socks so I put a bandaid around the back of my ankle to make sure the top part does not rub when I am running - so far no problems.

I've had this on since this morning and I can feel where It relieves pressure and stress on my Achilles tendon. I'm hoping for improvement, as my doctor said the less strain I put on it, the better it will heal.one word about sizing. I wear women's 8.5, so bought the small size first, given that the small went up to 8.5 in women's sizing. and this turned out to be too tight and actually made my tendon pain worse and also was too tight for my forefoot area. So I returned that and ordered the medium, and this is better. I'll give any updates as I continue to wear this if improvements are noticeable, or if they are not.UPDATE: The second day I wore this seem to not only not offer any relief but actually seemed to make it more painful, so I'm returning this. I'm in between sizes apparently of the small and medium - the 8.5 being the cut off on the small size range; and the medium, while giving a better fit, still put the Achilles' heel air pad just a bit too high up no matter how I adjusted the ankle cuff.