Cost of AFO leg brace?

[tk4013]

What is a "reasonable" cost for an accurate AFO leg brace? I see them on ebay fairly often, however I see the auctions end for close to $100 sometimes. I know a couple members here have lucked out and gotten them for around $30
The question at hand would be what is a fair price range? Also what is the correct version, I've seen a couple variations. Thanks

[HUMVEE Driver]

I paid around $100 for mine from eBay, and that was some ten years ago.

HUMVEE Driver

[tk4013]

Thanks HUMVEE Driver, that's kinda what I'm seeing the going rate is for a decent one. Finding one for less is a bonus.

[Max Replica]

I wrote a VERY detailed guide (some might say too detailed) about recreating Max's leg brace. You can find it here:

http://www.madmaxmovies.com/forum/viewt ... f=6&t=8754

If you scroll down to the end of the first section in that series of posts, you'll see a picture of the correct type of AFO brace, followed by the next section which has some tips on finding one. The key to paying very little for the brace (as low as $30) is luck and a whole lot of patience. However, if you found a very accurate one and didn't feel like waiting to see if you get lucky on a cheap one, I would not consider $100 to be an outrageous price.

[tk4013]

Thanks jwrites I read that already and thought it was VERY useful and interesting info and thought the brace turned out amazing. I just wasn't sure what the heck these thing went for, seems anyware from $40-100 is normal. I paid $50 for one so I think I did OK then. Honestly my wife was like WTF did you spend $50 on that for again, and I felt stupid trying to explain This is a picture of the one I got.

[Max Replica]

Good find. That one is pretty accurate. The key is finding the type that has the correct shape down near the heel, those rounded hinge type things - and yours has that. Not always possible to find, so congrats.

Tip: Take off the leather on the top calf brace part and you should have a metal plate underneath, matching Max's. Also, yours has velcro where Max's had a leather strap and buckle.

One more tip that I didn't get into in my tutorial - do you see just above the ankle hinge, those two protrusions? You'll see that a flat headed screwdriver fits into them. If you unscrew them all the way, a long spring should come out (and maybe a ball bearing or two as well). Take this stuff out and it should loosen the hinge action of the brace, making it easier for a person with a healthy ankle to walk in them. Ideally you want as little resistance from this brace as possible.

You can then put the adjustment screws back in, just for the look (Max's screws are there, and his are popped up just a bit, so loosen your screws by a few turns so they are slightly visible sticking up).

[tk4013]

OK cool, yeah I'll replace the velcro with some leather straps

[Max Replica]

I can't see from the shoe picture, but it's possible that the other side of your shoe is a leather strap/buckle across the top. It's possible you could modify this to attach to your AFO.
Also, there are some good screenshots around of what the strap and buckle on the back of Max's brace looks like. Let me know if you need one.

[tk4013]

I could probably use this one

[Max Replica]

That's what I suspected would be on the other side. Yup, do some cutting and dye it black and you should be able to use it.