Re: AFO's and petroleum jelly

[Guest guest]

Lamar:

I think the usefulness of petroleum jelly may depend on the type of AFO

you have I have the toe-off type but they are not as large as my original

AFO's: they have one long, 2 inch thick strip of plastic going up the back of

my leg to the strap area. I find that if I put Vaseline around the strap

area and on the skin where the AFO rubs directly, I will not get sores or be

uncomfortable. I have not had any problems with fungus or tender skin. I've

been doing this for three or four years and my skin seems just fine. You are

correct about the straps though: I think it causes them to wear out early -

yet not immediately.

I learned of this tactic when I had a friend walking in a

fund-raising long-distance walking event. She told me that runners and

people walking long distances can prevent blisters and sore feet caused by

shoes by spreading vaseline on the the feet.

I usually do not have to put on more than one application. I do this

probably 5 of 7 days each week. I understand that it might not work with all

AFO's or all regimes.

- Marti