AFO-? I have read the post back to May 07 -still have ?

[Guest guest]

Has anyone quantified their foot drop - I used the procedure in

Vinci P. Rehabilitation Management of CMT - page 65. It would seem

my foot drop angle ranges between 95d egrees(rested) and when I wake

up feeling weak my angle goes up to 104 -106 degrees. I have posted

my pictures of this on my picture page - helpful CMT devices. Dr

Vinci suggests that AFOs are used when your foot angle increases

above 100 degrees.

I really appreciate all the comments from Cockerham, ,

and Dawn(sorry leave out everyone else). I reviewed all the links

and references on AFOs back to May - and I still feel very

conflicted regarding the use of AFOs and if used to early in the

process weaken my good muscles? That's the question that seems to

cause some disagreement. And yes I have read Dr Vinci's recent

paper on the lack of use of AFOs when prescribed.

So.... does a person at this stage who needs help ... Try the AFO or

the electric stimulator?

With an AFO I am able to correct the supination during swing, break

a negative gait pattern, let my muscles that do work get rested and

be able to resume walking the dog and strolls along city streets.

Will I also be less fatigued at the end of the day or week?

Can AFOs help increase activity levels and correct a compensating

gait pattern(my poor SI joint,IT Band, hips are my proof) or will I

simply trade one set of problems for another?

I tried a sample carbon fiber AFO and I felt like a bird walking. I

could not have imagined such a difference in effort. Is that a

normal reaction?