Guest guest Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Hi Elaine, I gave up on two orthotists. The first guy insisted that I go home with AFOs that made my feet bleed. I went back to the office at least a 1/2 dozen times to have them reshaped. Another orthotist in the office told me that repeated reshaping broke them down structurally and that I should probably be recasted. Years later I had them replaced at a different office. The second guy was ok, but when I needed to have the hinges repaired (they tore in 1/2, and the gromets kept coming out) it was hard to get a hold of him. The 3rd guy was good. No problems - no reshaping - a " normal " gait. I don't know if it is better to wear them all the time to prevent further deformity or to go without them to prevent atrophy. I wear them when I am out and try to go without them at home. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 I brought some home and threw them away the next day. I hated them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Hi Thank You so much for replying. I am really confused. I used to walk my neighborhood 30-40 minutes a few days a week and now wearing just wearing one plastic no hinge AFO on the left foot has really altered my gait in not such a good way. It's hard to explain but my foot doesn't hit the floor like it used to and I don't wear it at home at all. I actually don't even feel I have a good heel/toe gait with it so I made with appointment again with the Orthotist to try and explain that I feel like I have lost my push off ability and then I feel like I need to use a cane with it sometimes too. So I just want to keep the strength I have and build more in my leg and be able to wear a plastic AFO to my advantage. Thanks again for reading and responding. Sometimes I wish I never even got one. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Ditto to that. I hated mine, too! Karon:) I brought some home and threw them away the next day. I hated them. ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I couldn't walk in them. They were awful. I tried to learn how in the orthotist office it was awful. He kept insisting that I was the problem. I was not the problem - he made them all wrong. I wear a Muller ankle brace from a sporting good store that helps with drop foot. I also hold on to any and all shopping carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Hi Elaine: I " gave up " AFO's several years ago and don't regret it. I had been wearing AFOs and working out and I feel that they actually caused my CMT to get worse much more quickly; my balance deteriorated, muscle atrophied and I got very dependent on them. Once the muscle is atrophied, it unfortunately does not come back no matter what you do (at least this has been my experience). Nonetheless, regular exercise has helped me a lot; I walk my dog over a mile daily and have also done aquatic therapy and used an eliptical trainer; combined with vitamins and healing touch I feel that my CMT is " better " than it has been in years. My balance is better and I am able to walk further and fasther than I could in the past. I still can't lift up my toes or flex my feet much but it is an improvement. If you need AFOs for safety, by all means, don't give them up. I think there is always a cost and benefit analysis and AFOs may be worth the atrophy if they keep you walking better and faster without risk of falls. However, I am angry at many doctors who see a diagnosis of CMT and automatically prescribe AFOs. My primary care doctor is disabled herself due to a car accident and she told me that any brace will cause atrophy so that you want to wait until you really feel you need it before using one routinely. To avoid deformities, I would urge using in shoe orthotics or arch supports as they help the foot move more naturally but are not as confining as a brace. Just my .02. Best of luck. Marti in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Wow Marti, How did you give them up? What you said is sooo true, it is how I feel. I just don't know where to start to give it up. I really walk funny with it on or off and I have gotten so dependent on it and I don't like it. Oh if only I had known this before I got one. It doesn't land my foot right and I just don't walk like I used to without it. HELP. Thanks so much. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hi did you wear them at all? I have one I have been wearing for almost two years and sometimes I feel it is doing more harm than good. I really do not know how to just stop wearing it. It is the usual plastic all one piece cumbersome one for my left foot and I just don't know how to give it up.. Oh I wish I had never gotten one. Elaine MommyToAdam@... wrote: I brought some home and threw them away the next day. I hated them. Elaine --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Elaine, It's much better to have an AFO with an ankle joint. I couldn't stand the one piece AFOs my orthotist tried on me first. Once I got some with ankle joints it was all the difference in the world. I think you just need some AFOs with ankle joints and some that fit better. The newer ones are shorter and cut out more so they are cooler to wear. Maybe you need a new orthotist. It's like medicine, if your doctor wants you to wear one or a pair, it would be better for you to wear them. You just need some that fit and have ankle joints. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Elaine, I gave up AFOs. I wear this soft strap that goes around you ankle and attaches to laces you attach to your shoe. That prevents the foot drop. If you want more info. on it, let me know. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Marti, Thank you so much for that input. I have worn AFOs for many years and can barely walk now without them. After reading what you wrote, I am disappointed that my doctor did not try therapy with me first - I have atrophied terribly. So no getting it back, huh? I appreciate your help. I cannot afford therapy, but I may be able to swing the aquatics again. Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hi Elaine, Sure helps me. I use the active ankle. _Active Ankle Ankle Products at The Ankle Shop_ (http://www.ankleshop.com/products.asp?cat=318) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi Dawn, I really would like more info on these. I know it's an ebay thing but I couldn't get on for some reason. Please help. Thanks. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi Bob, Did you get the one with ankle joints for the man in Tampa? He fit me for one but he insisted it had to be all the way up the leg and hard, no flexibility at all and extremely cumbersome. I am just so confused. Thank for your input. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 , Does that ankle brace really help with the drop foot??? Thanks Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Elaine, I got mine at Bader Orthotics from Wade Bader. He made mine the new shorter length and with a shorter footplate. As him about those for you. I love mine. They are cut out enough so they aren't hot. Tell him you want some like mine. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi Elaine, I buy the active ankle. If you go in to a sporting goods store you can try them on to find something that works. I have told a lot of CMTers about Mueller and several people have said that they love them as much as I love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hi , Which active ankle one do you get? It really holds your foot up? Thanks for your input. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Elaine, I sent you the ebay email from the man who makes the ankle supports. It's from dgturmenne@...; my other email acct. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Hi Marti in VA, You know I am going over this email you wrote and really wanted to hear from you again. So you gave up AFOs? You have drop foot? I really feel my walk has gotten worse not better and the balance also, worse. How do I give it up? I just have one for the left foot. I have gotten very dependent on it and want to go back the way I was without one. Oh I have taken some good falls in my life but I honestly feel the AFOs that have been made are not giving me security that's for sure. I hope to hear from you again. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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