Re: In shoe orthotics vs. AFOs

[Guest guest]

Greetings:

I have had BOTH in shoe orthotics and AFOs... I wear just the

in-shoe orthotics now, and not all the time. My in shoe orthotics helped with

arch support and with mild foot drop. My arch is so high that my foot often

doesn't roll enough - they help with this. I also have foot drop but usually

only after walking 200 feet or more or for long periods of time.

AFOs are great for severe foot drop and for stabilizing feet/legs if

one falls often. My doctors were trying to shove me in AFOs from the second

I was diagnosed w/ CMT and many of them were wrong to do so, I believe. The

problem with AFOs is that many of them take over the work of ALL or many of

the nerves/muscles in the feet and legs NOT just the ones that are affected by

CMT... this means that some of the unaffected nerves/muscles might atrophy

early as they are not being used when you wear the AFOs.

There were two periods in my life where I wore AFOs continuously for

several months - after both of these times, I noticed the most atrophy in my

calves and legs. My primary care doctor is disabled herself due to a

car accident - she uses a cane. She agrees with me 100% about the

AFOs/braces...in that she feels there is a risk of additional atrophy if one

gets them earlier than needed.

I am NOT saying not to get or use AFOs if you really need them, just be cautious

and make sure you do need them. If you do get them, hinged

varieties and the types that allow as much movement as possible for the

unaffected nerves/muscles may be the best place to start. I have known many

doctors that immediately have tried to shove AFOs at me based on my diagnosis

without even monitoring my gait first.. I don't think they know what they're

doing.

Just my two cents.

Marti