Re: AFO help needed

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine,

It may be possible you have pushed that let to far in exercising. I

don't know what you're doing exercise wise, but do allow the PT to

show you things and explain about exercising and pacing yourself.

Exercising at night muscles are already tired too. Can you switch to

an earlier exercise? I would also suggest you wear your AFO on weekends too.

Remember, your foot/leg is being braced and held in a different position - one

that hopefully helps you in walking. It may also be prudent to return to your

orthotist about this.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Elaine:

AFOs are a two edged sword. Yes, they do cause some atrophy as they

take over the task of keeping you upright. But, as a doctor once told

we when I argued that I didn't need one, " Would you rather trip over a blade of

grass and break your hip? "

I don't wear mine (I only use one) in the house, but I do wear shoes

or clogs that support my ankle.

My rehab doctor showed me a trick that really stabilized my gait

without my AFO. She told me that when I walk I must concentrate on

landing on my heels first and rolling on my toes next.

She also sent to for water therapy to build by my muscles. I know do

an hour of deep water exercise three times a week. I use a flotation

belt from AquaJogger -- http://aquajogger.com/default.htm -- and never touch the

bottom of the pool. This has done wonders for me without irritating my spinal

stenosis.

My AFO allows my ankle to flex a bit. This seems to minimize the

atrophy a bit, but I still gave legs more like Olive Oyl than Arnold

Schwarzenegger. On the plus side, I suppose, is the utter lack of hair

that makes me look sooooo great shorts!

--Larry

[Guest guest]

Hi Gretchen,

I really appreciate your response. I work an 8-5 job so that's why it is

evening excerises. I have a treadmill and stationary bike here at home. It's

funny cause I was wondering if that AFO is making my leg/foot land in a

different position and that is why the weakness all of a sudden. It just feels

like my left leg is going to give out at times. I will make it a priority to

get into PT, I know alot of them have evening hours. And does an orthotist

watch a person's gait first? I have an appointment with him Wed. eve after work

and I want to ask him about this.. Thanks again.. I have never had this kind of

weakness before, always just walked with my drop foot and thought nothing of it,

now it is so different.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Larry,

Thanks so much for answering me. So you use only one also? Me too, left foot

drop. It's just that in the past two weeks this sudden weakness in my left leg

has developed, like it is going to give out on me. Even with the AFO on I still

feel the weakness.

I definietly need PT and have just gotten a prescription to go, so I will call

tomorrow from work to get into someplace.

Thanks again,, any more suggestions are welcome.

Elaine