AFOs made from non-plastic materials

[Guest guest]

Georgia:

There are definitely AFOs that are made of materials other than

plastic. I am wearing what is called a " toe-off " which is made of

graphite materials. I really like them because they are not hard on

the soles of my feet and they aren't hot on my skin in the summer.

The only draw back is that they break fairly easy. I am not an

athlete and try to be really careful about the terrain that I walk

on (uneven surfaces) and I have had hairline breaks in two of these

braces so far (6 mos.)

Both times I took them back to the orthotist and he replaced them free of charge

because he said they were flaws in the brace. We shall see if it happens again

what the reaction is!

The other brace that is not plastic is called the Arizona. It is made of

leather and metal. I haven't had one, but that is what my Dr. says he will try

next if I keep having breakage with the toe-offs.

The Arizona looks like a metal brace up each side of the leg

and then it has a kind of corset of leather that goes around the

calf. It doesn't look too bad, but I don't know for sure. I do

know that my Dr. really doesn't like the plastic AFOs for people

with CMT because of the risk of pressure sores. He says that like a

person with diabetes it is just too big of a risk. Hope this info

helps!