I know what a AFO brace, had one years ago, and might need one for the right foot again, or have to start wearing my Arizona Brace, just last week, a  foot doctor, told me i could avoid an ankle replacement for a longer time, if i wore either brace...The left foot came out good.

I would think they do the tendon surgery first..and sorry about that tendon snapping..that sounds VERY painful....BUT you may be surprised at the out come of that surgery, and i hope you can delay a fusion of course a longer recovery, for at least 8 to 10 weeks, non/weight-bearing

I guess some posters here have had subtalor and can wear high heals, i cannot, i find that a good shoe store, that knows how to fit problem feet can help you best. I have to wear extra depth athletic shoes, 3/4 heel, but if i don't have to drive..i have found some nice shoes,  a little pricey, but wide enough to accomadate orthotics ..such as my Finn Comfort Clogs, or even some nice sandals..or they have Drew mary Janes..cool Khaki color..as long as your shoes don't make your feet hurt

Also, there is a nice little website..myfootshop.com..it is run by a podiatrist..he will answer your questions in a few days, he is selling foot care products also, at a good price..but there are a lot of foot categories, such as surgery, etc, foot conditions..you might find something..i have saw some links i think about this tendon surgery

Good luck and i hope you get out of pain real soon/nothing worse than sore feet

PreOp Planning:       - tendon transfer is chiefly indicated for stage II tenosynovitis;     - subtalar joint must demonstrate nearly a full range of inversion;     - early synovectomy of the tendon sheath not only relieves discomfort but will possibly delay or            prevent attenuation or rupture;     - in presence of correctable hyperpronation, transfer of FDL  tendon to distal posterior            tibial tendon stump is considered;     - if subtalar joint cannot be brought into nearly full inversion because of long-standing            deformity, then tendon transfer is contra-indicated;            - in this case consider subtalar arthrodesis