Everything You Need to Know About Medical Boots & Braces

You’ve just been diagnosed with an injury. Maybe it’s plantar fasciitis, an ankle sprain, or a stress fracture. Your doctor hands you a prescription, but it’s not for a pill. It’s for a “boot” or “brace” with a confusing name and a medical code, like “L4360” or “L1906.”

Below, Atlantic Foot & Ankle has put together a simple guide to the devices we prescribe. Read on to learn more about what they do (and why they might be right for you!).

1. The “AirHeel” (L4396)

What it is: A very lightweight wrap that goes around your ankle and under your arch. It has two interconnected air cells located under the arch and at the back of the heel.

Who needs it: Patients with acute, inflammatory heel pain.

• Demographic: Runners, servers, or anyone with a painful flare-up of Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendonitis.
• What it does: This brace provides pulsating compression with every step. When your heel strikes the ground, air is forced from the heel cell to the arch cell. This gentle, “massaging” compression helps reduce swelling (edema) and inflammation, making it a fantastic tool for acute pain relief.

2. The “Velocity” Brace (L1971)

What it is: A high-level, semi-rigid brace that has a “boot” for your foot and a rigid upright support that goes up your shin, all strapped together.

Who needs it: Patients with significant ankle instability.

• Demographic: Athletes who need to return to their sport after a bad sprain (think basketball or soccer players) or people with chronic ankle instability who roll their ankle constantly.
• What it does: This is all about maximum support during activity. It’s designed to provide the ultimate protection against side-to-side (lateral) ankle movement, preventing re-injury while still allowing for some up-and-down motion.

3. The “AFO Lace-Up” Ankle Brace (L1906)

What it is: A slim, lace-up brace with flexible plastic stays (supports) built into the sides. It fits easily inside a regular athletic shoe.

Who needs it: The active person who needs reliable, everyday support.

• Demographic: Weekend warriors, hikers, or workers who need more support than tape can offer but less bulk than a Velocity brace.
• What it does: This brace is the perfect middle-ground. It provides excellent stability for mild to moderate ankle sprains or to prevent an injury. It restricts unwanted side-to-side motion while remaining comfortable enough for all-day wear.

4. The “Night Splint” (L1930)

What it is: A brace you wear only while you sleep. It’s a supportive shell that holds your foot at a 90-degree angle to your leg.

Who needs it: Anyone suffering from classic Plantar Fasciitis.

• Demographic: Patients whose #1 complaint is that sharp, stabbing heel pain with their first step out of bed in the morning.
• What it does: It solves the “first step” problem. At night, your foot naturally points down, which shortens and tightens your plantar fascia. The night splint holds the fascia in a gentle, prolonged stretch all night long. This prevents the micro-tearing that happens with that painful first step, allowing the tissue to finally heal.

See Your Solution? Call Us!

Trusting the process and using the right device is the fastest way to get you back on your feet, pain-free.

Atlantic Foot & Ankle Specialists is here to provide compassionate care tailored to your individual foot and ankle needs. Contact our office in Chatham County at (912) 988-3323 to schedule an appointment today.