Re: Do you use a cane with your AFO?

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

Yes, I use a cane with my AFO's. Need for balance and extra support. This is the

cane I use and it is so strong and supportive. http://www.libertycane.com/

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi! If I'm going out without my husband -- who I usually hang on to, I use a

cane. My balance is off and even tho I wear AFOs, I feel unsteady.

JoAnn N.

Newfoundland, Canada (originally from NJ)

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie, wow thanks for the info and web site. It sure does help hearing from

all of you here. Sometimes I think I am the only one in the world with walking

problems, balance and falling. And then of course I realize that all of you are

such a HUGE help and we are all in this together. Jackie thanks again.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Yes. I use a cane and wear 2 AFOs. I've been wearing them for 5 1/2 years, but

actually had the cane first. At first I got by with one or the other; now I need

the aid of both for my own safety and improved mobility.

K.

[Guest guest]

Hi JoAnn, thanks for answering cause it sure does help hearing other's

experiences.

And I too HANG onto my husband when going out but use my cane when he is not

around. I don't use the cane alot BUT I just feel the weakness sometimes more

than other times. So even walking into work if it not a good BALANCE day I will

use the cane and say Hi to everyone as they are trying to figure out why I am

using a cane. Oh well I tell myself I must accept the fact of CMT in my life

and make the most of everything I do have. Thanks again.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi , thank you for answering.

It is like the past not quite two years when starting to wear an afo on the left

foot, the weakness started to really show up. I exercise on the treadmill, bike

or do my P.T. excersises to keep and hopefully improve my left leg and foot.

I really want to take care of myself and have the best of both worlds, wearing

an AFO that really helps me and exercising to keep the strength I have and

improve it to, ( as I sit hearing typing) LOL

Ok that's all for now, take care

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hey Everybody,

I too use both a cane and bilateral AFOs. I got AFOs in December and the cane is

a great help when walking long distances. I have had many people comment on my

cane since my husband ordered it for me from a place in NC that specializes in

Golf Clubs. They think it looks neat. I use my husband's arm when we are out

places together.

Nina

[Guest guest]

Elaine:

I used to use a cane but I found it very limiting. Proper use of a

cane/crutch requires that it be used in the opposite hand as the

weakness. I know all TV shows use a cane/crutch on the same side as

the weakness like some sort of super splint. Buy using the cane/crutch

on the opposite sude of the weakness, the base of support is wider.

Balance is also improved as the unaided leg acts as a third point of

balance. If you remember your high school geometry, the triangle is

the only rigid polygon and the combination of 2 legs and the

cane/crutch is as stable one can be.

That being said, if your arms are strong enough, I would recommend use

a Canadian/forearm crutch instead of a cane. When using a cane, the

hand is held captive by the cane's handle. When using a forearm

crutch, the hand can be used while the crutch remains attached to the

body by the clip. When standing in a line, the arm clip can be rotated

upward and used to lean on. I find I have better balance with the

crutch as the point of balance includes both the hand and the forearm.

There are two types of forearm clips available on forearm crutches --

slip on and slip through. The slip on clips are more common and allow

the forearm to slip between the " jaws " when starting. The slip through

clip requires the forearm be inserted though the top on the clip.

I started with the slip-on clip and was very satisfied with them until

I tried the slip-through clip. The slip-through is a bit more fussy to

get on, but attached, the crutch never leaves your side. Here in Rome,

cobblestones jump up and bite if one isn't careful. A street vendor

came up to me and tried to sell me some socks. I was shaking my head

" No " when I ended up kissing the street.

The street vendor looked terrified over what happened and he and a

friend tried to life me up by my shoulders. I finally told them I can

get up by myself. I brought my knees up under me and used my crutch --

it never left mt arm -- to roll to my feet. A cane or slip-on clip

would have been thrown somewhere other than with me.

Here is a URL of a slip-on crutch:

http://www.medsupplystore.com/dmi190.html

and here is a URL of a slip-through crutch:

http://www.walkeasy.com/shop/product_details.asp?ProductCode=495

I wanted Red, but my wife made be buy charcoal.

--Larry

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I don't use a cane in the house, because the floor is level and I know where the

furniture is (LOL) but I wouldn't leave the house without my trusty " third leg " .

Any bit of uneven ground or crack in the sidewalk can send me toppling. Since I

ride buses, the cane is necessary to counteract the swaying as I get to my seat,

Another benefit is that people are often very kind, when they see my cane they

will open doors for me, or make allowances for my slowness, and I always get a

seat on the bus. I go out with a cane and a smile, and don't feel at all self

conscious.

At first it felt awkward, but now that I'm used to it, Citizen Cane and I are

good friends.

Ruth

Be kind. Everyone you meet is struggling with something.

[Guest guest]

That's a great idea, Larry. I don't mind using a cane when I have to, but if

you're going shopping or need your hands, it's really awkward to try to hold

your cane, too. Even with a wrist strap, it's probably easier, but still in the

way.

JoAnn N.

Newfoundland, Canada (originally from NJ)

[Guest guest]

Hi Larry, wow thanks for all the info and your ideas Elaine