In this video, Ian Engleman demonstrates how our drop foot technology can provide better treatment by providing more accurate traction on the calf. If the portion of the AFO (called the calf section) is moving either medially or laterally off the leg, the drop foot AFO brace can be adjusted …
Using Uneven Tensors with your Step-Smart® Brace
Transcript: Hi, Ian here. Today we’re going to talk about uneven tensors and when it’s applicable to use them. Now for most people, the alignment is just fine. You don’t need to use the uneven tensors. But if you find that that cap section dislocates or is off-kilter from your …
Foot Funnel® Shoehorn – A Shoe Aid
The Foot Funnel® shoehorn is a “dressing aid ” or shoe aid and is an alternative to the long-handled shoehorn and makes shoe donning easier for those that have trouble bending, twisting, and reaching. “What is a shoehorn?” It is a shoe aid or shoe donner. As a dressing aid, …
Two Styles of Donning the Step-Smart
This week, Ian shares two ways you can don your Step-Smart brace. Watch and find the way that works best for you! Video Transcript: Hi! Ian here. In this video what we’re gonna show is a couple of ways you can put on your Step-Smart brace. We call it donning …
Why The Step-Smart Brace is Small
It has come to our attention often that people wonder how The Step-Smart Brace for Drop Foot can be as effective as other Ankle-Foot Orthotics (AFO’s) while having a shorter footplate. The answer is in the unique design and how the brace works in conjunction with your shoe. In this …
How to Choose the Correct Step-Smart Brace Size For You
In this short video, we show you how to quickly discern what size Step-Smart brace is best for you and why wearing the correct size is important. The Step-Smart brace comes in an X-Small, Small/Medium, Large/X-Large, and XX-Large configuration. To make sizing easier, we’ve translated sizing to match standard shoe …
Ankle-Foot Orthotic Shoe combination for Foot Drop Patients
In this week’s blog, we demonstrate the AFO strategy used by Insightful Products to attach the AFO or ankle brace to the shoe using Velcro. The foot and ankle brace is attached to the shoe using a hook and loop pile. By attaching the ankle brace to the shoe, the …
Multiple Sclerosis, Drop Foot, and the Step Smart Brace
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an erratic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disturbs the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. With MS related drop foot, the myelin sheath (a substance that protects nerve fibers in the nervous system) and nerve fibers …
Maine inventor ‘bends boundaries’ to make it easier to walk or stop a skateboard
Bangor Daily News Excerpt. By Beth Brogan, BDN Staff. SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Ian Engelman arrived at his office Tuesday morning and poured black polyurethane into a mold, spilling some onto layers of protective cardboard covering a table but filling the 7-inch, nose-shaped vessel to create a skateboard brake. When it sets, …
Saying ‘PTTD’ is misleading: It’s time for a new lexicon to distinguish pathologies
Lower Extremity Review (LER) Magazine Excerpt. By Ian Engelman, MS, CPO. Ian Engelman, MS, CPO, developer of the patented Blaze MI AFO for medial column breakdown, is owner and President of Insightful Products, LLC. He also developed the Step-Smart Brace for drop foot and the Funnel shoe horn. Have you read …
Back Surgery Drop Foot Brace Frustration
Frustration with his old drop foot brace led Joe, from Massachusetts to contact us at Insightful Products, about our Step-Smart Brace for Drop foot. Following back surgery over 15 years ago, Joe, like many who go through such surgeries, found he had developed drop foot. Seeking relief Joe had tried …
Running with Drop Foot : Bobby’s Step-Smart Brace Experience
Earlier this year, Bobby and his mother visited our offices to learn more about the Step-Smart Drop Foot Brace and try one out for himself. We are excited to share his story and this inspirational video with you! Meet Bobby: Bobby developed drop foot after an accident. During his …