Re: Braces With Shoes or Boots?

[Guest guest]

I wear orthopedic custom made boots as AFOs were way too painful

for me and I wore out shoes faster than you can sneeze. The

difference has been amazing. I only need bracing for my ankles, but

the foot deformities made it exteremly painful for me to wear AFOs

AND get the support I needed. A pair of boots lasts me a year at

least. They may not be a fashion statement but I can walk.

[Guest guest]

Speaking from 27 years of experience..

Things you should consider:

How much walking will you be doing?

Dress code requirements for work, etc.

Warm or cool depending on seasons.

Will you add insoles or odor eaters for comfort?

Are " T " straps going to be used to hold the ankles in the correct

position?

Can you tie shoe strings, straps or velcrow?

Can you tie them without crossing your legs, remember there will be a

bar on the sides, that will cut your other leg when crossed.

Selection is also an issue, since shoes and boots with removable

heels are hard to find. Check out shoe stores and see what is

available, soft, gum type soles will not work, as the rivet and nails

in the heels will rip out after a short time.

You may want to consider getting one full set made with either shoes

or boots and then have the other pair made with the stirups only and

you can interchange the upper parts, depending on the season. The

last time I bought stirups, they were about $150 each plus the cost

of attachment.

My last pair (I switched to AFOs June 2000) weighed 3 1/2 lbs. each

with 8 " high Red Wing work boots with Vibram soles attached to adult

uppers. I needed the support for ankles, they were fused in the

1970's. I was working on lightening them when I got started with the

MDA and changed to AFOs.

Before having the Ortho put everything together, weigh the parts and

test yourself with sport weights of something and see if you can walk

with the weight with the shoes or boots you choose to have the brace

attached to.

After all, if you can't use them, what good are they. And since they

may cost a couple thousand$$$ do you homework first.

[Guest guest]

Where do you get your custom made boots? Lanate

- In @y..., " iliftmyeyes " <kwalden@t...> wrote:

> I wear orthopedic custom made boots as AFOs were way too painful

> for me and I wore out shoes faster than you can sneeze. The

> difference has been amazing. I only need bracing for my ankles, but

> the foot deformities made it exteremly painful for me to wear AFOs

> AND get the support I needed. A pair of boots lasts me a year at

> least. They may not be a fashion statement but I can walk.

>

>