Allard USA

09/10/2025

Congratulations to Taylor Swanson, Get Back Up Today Co-captain, for qualifying for the Para World Championships! 🎉

“What an experience at the USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships! For the first time, para and able-bodied athletes competed at the same event—a big step forward for inclusion in our sport. 🙌

This was a qualifier for the Para World Championships in New Delhi, India 9/26-10/5. While my 200m wasn’t my best race, I stayed focused—and in my primary event, the 100m I competed with the best and ran a very competitive time that earned me a spot to represent USA at Para World Championships! 🇺🇸🔥

Not a perfect race, but full of lessons. Every mistake is a chance to grow, and I’m more motivated than ever to bring my best to Worlds. Onward. 💪🏾”
– Taylor Swanson, Get Back Up Today Co-captain

05/28/2025

"Allard AFOs allow you to go to amazing places." - Wendy Garrett

➡️ Netherlands
➡️ Colombia
➡️ South Africa
➡️ Boston
➡️ Japan
➡️ France
➡️ Sweden
➡️ Australia
➡️ Greece
➡️ Croatia

These are some of the places Wendy has traveled in her AFO. It has given her the opportunity to explore and go sightseeing and also to run marathons in all these places! Swipe through the pictures to see some of her adventures.

🔵 Where have you traveled since wearing your Allard AFOs? Have you been to any of these places? Tell us in the comments! 🔵

05/21/2025

What do you call YOUR AFOs?

Here are the nicknames some Allard AFO wearers have given theirs. Maybe it can be some inspiration for a nickname if you don’t have one already! Tell us what you come up with.

⭐️"Carbon Elektra"
⭐️"My legs"
⭐️"My avatar"
⭐️"I always say, 'Wait, I'm putting on my legs."
⭐️"Ok, it's 'Brace Lee"
⭐️"I always call mine my leg. 'Wait, I have to put my leg on.”
⭐️"Springs"

05/16/2025

05/14/2025

Don’t let foot drop hold you back! Whether you're working, exploring, or reaching new athletic heights, our AFOs are designed to support you every step of the way.

Do you want to feel more balanced and secure on your feet? Less fatigued? Do you want to enjoy time with family and friends, doing the things you love, and less time watching your steps?

Send us a DM so we can help you find an Orthotist in your area that fits our AFOs!

05/07/2025

When you want to walk around Boston, but you have foot drop, so you don't leave home without your AFOs.(Actually, you never leave home without them!)

04/30/2025

Medical devices like AFOs can give people the freedom to do the things they love.

04/23/2025

How many of these challenges that come with foot drop do you relate to?

◽Climbing up and down stairs
◽Walking long distances
◽Trips and falls
◽ Maintaining balance
◽ Standing for long periods
◽ Getting up from a chair or the ground

What other challenges do you experience?

04/16/2025

🧐Are you looking for an AFO, but don’t know where to start?⁠
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Choosing the right AFO is an important decision on your path to mobility, but it can be challenging. 🛤️ ⁠
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We have some helpful information for you about finding the right AFO, but we want you to know that this decision is best made with an Orthotist. An Orthotist can also answer your questions about how an AFO can help with your specific condition and needs.⁠

The most important lesson to understand in bracing is:
There is no ONE brace that is right for EVERYONE.

Generally, you'll want to look for the least restrictive brace that still addresses your restrictive needs in order to:
•Ensure the most muscle & joint activity and range of motion for high functionality
•To discourage muscle/nerve atrophy by utilizing more of your own power

Also, look for braces that are the MOST comfortable and MOST functional for YOU
•You're not likely to wear a brace that isn't comfortable
•You want a brace that performs well for the activities most important to you
•If a brace feels "uncomfortable" at first, it may lead to more serious issues after long-term use

Finally, if possible, TRY before you BUY. Ask about manufacturers that allow a trial or testing option because with insurance coverage often a challenge, you don't want to get stuck with the wrong brace.
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🤔 If you are considering trying an Allard AFO, did you know that you can try one for 30 days? 🗓️ ⁠
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Send us a DM, and we can help find an Orthotist in your area who fits our AFOs. ⁠
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04/09/2025

Raise your hand ✋️ if you've gotten the soccer ⚽️ question!

We hear about that one all the time.

We recently asked some of you about the types of questions you get asked about your AFOs, and these were some of your answers.

"What happened. Thinking it is a temp injury. Many have never heard of foot drop."

"What are they and why do you wear them?"

"Do you have shin splints?"

"Do you play soccer?"

"Foot drop??? What's that?"

"Oh, I have back problems too (trying to relate after asking what happened)"

"How long will you have to wear it?"

➡️We would love to hear from those of you who haven't weighed in yet! What kinds of questions do people ask, how do you feel when you are asked about them, and how do you answer?⬅️

04/02/2025

Have you ever wondered what happens during an AFO fitting?
Wonder no more! Here is some information about the process:

1. During a first appointment the clinician evaluates your specific medical and physical conditions and may take various measurements, scans or casts of your affected limb/s.
2. Once you and your clinician have finished your initial assessment, various options of bracing will be considered and it will be up to both of you as to which one will best suit your needs.
3. From there your brace will be ordered and a second appointment will follow where you will receive your brace and have it customized for best fit and function.
4. It is not unusual to return to the clinician as you are first getting used to your AFO; often there are adjustments necessary for optimum comfort and function so be sure to call your fitter should you have any problems at all.

⭐️Equally important in the initial appointment is that you, as the patient, provide crucial information about your daily activities and life goals:
➡️Do you have a job that requires strenuous labor?
➡️Do you have special hobbies or preferred activities where certain braces will not work well?

Do you have questions about AFOs? Send us a DM!

03/26/2025

We are pleased to announce the Dralla Foundation Grant Recipients for 2025!