Re: AFO not addicting

[Guest guest]

AFOs are not addicting unless you consider being able to walk and not

fall or trip being addictive. They help you get on with your life. I

was at the gym yesterday and saw a guy around 20 with a bad case of

footdrop. I was leaving the same time as he was. He almost tripped in

the parking lot as he was walking to his car. Not sure if he was too

hard headed to wear AFOs or didn't wear his to the gym.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Bob,

I delayed getting an AFO as long as possible because the docs always

said it would make the muscles weaken faster. One even said that in

time I wouldn't be able to stand in the shower (not that I can well now).

How long have you used an AFO and have you found that the be the case?

[Guest guest]

A lot of adults are saying they are not addicting. However I have two kids that

can prove that they are very addicting. So I wonder if it depends on the type of

CMT or perhaps the age if the person with CMT?

we have type 1A. Even if I wear a little ankle brace for support I feel a bit

more weakness the next few days.

I am sure a million factors come in to play. But for my family AFOs are

addicting and every orthotist I have talked to has explained that the patient

becomes dependent on the AFO because of the lack of movement.

The orthotists that I have talked to about the dependency issues are as follows:

AVOP- Toby Janowitz

Palmdale Ca.

Swiss Balance- Rudy

Santa Ca.

Dryden

North Hollywood Ca.

Dilger

West Wood CA.

**************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for

FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

(http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020)

[Guest guest]

,

I've worn them for a long time. Every dr says something different. You

could try going without your AF0s at home if you are that concerned.

You'll be able to do more things than you can imagine once you get

them. Just think of them as ankle supports that athletes have. I have

a friend who played hs football and baseball wearing AFOs. They will

help you do thing you thought you couldn't do anymore. But remember

there are good and bad AFOs. Try to get some of the new shorter ones.

Get some that are cut out in the back so they are cooler in hot

weather. And finally get some that look good whether they are camo or

whatever.

Bob

[Guest guest]

I have been in AFOs for 50 years, yes I think they do make you a bit weaker, I

have tried most, YES I'm still standing in the shower, and HELL NO there are NOT

ADDICTING, I think it's just a poor use of words, please nothing personal

GOOD LUCK

Laine

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with you, Bob. I hardly fall at all with my AFOs. It's worth it

to me to wear them.

 

I sometimes see a woman walking down the street with footdrop..... I wonder if

she knows she's got it? I want to stop and talk with her, but don't know what to

say -- " Hi! I walk like you! But I wear leg braces. "   ????

JoAnn N.

Newfoundland, Canada

(originally from NJ)

 

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone.

I started with one right AFO while still working as a Home Health Therapist in

1999, but within a month I knew I needed a left one also. Now, for nearly 10

years, I have been able to get along with wearing my AFOs when I work, shop,

hike, or am just so fatigued I feel that I will do more damage to my muscles by

NOT wearing my AFOs.

Every day seems to be different for me. Sometimes I feel like my AFOs give me,

and my leg muscles a much needed break, and other days I can get by with high

top boots or hightop tennis shoes. In the summertime, my " magic shoes " are Teva

Hurricane 3 Sandals. I have wasted money on other Teva sandals and I have

finally narrowed it down to this particular model.

However, I find that I need my AFOs alot more in the colder months. I am not

sure if that has to do with the cold weather, taking kids to school and having a

more demanding schedule, or the lack of " magic shoes " for the wintertime!!

Anyway, I think sometimes, NOT wearing AFOs can be harmful to the

muscles if they are overfatigued. Or, if you are so fatigued that

you are not being as active as possible.

As long as possible, I think it is important to listen to your body daily about

this issue. I have noticed that each time I fall (or some other thing I

shouldn't have done!) and really injure myself, I lose some ground. So when I

start falling ALOT without AFOs --- I will wear them, if I am getting worse

without them. I do have falls, but usually I get leg pain and major fatigue

from high steppage gait and I go get my AFOs on.

Mandy

[Guest guest]

I am a " late onset " CMT'er, not getting my AFOs until I was 56.

I've been wearing them for three years and all I know is that I feel

much more handicapped when I walk without them than I do with them.

I refer to them as " putting on my feet. "

[Guest guest]

Do you have AFOs without ankle joints? I could see the lack of

movement then but with mine, I have ankle joints and my ankles move.

They are just supported and helped by the AFO. Like I have said in the

past I have a friend who played hs sports in his. I don't think that's

addictive, just helping you get on with your life. I have type 1

too. If you have CMT and don't wear AFOs you are gonna tire your

muscles more and that's not good for CMT. It's like saying glasses are

addictive I guess.

Bob