Re: Atrophy - was New to

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/15/01 8:17:33 AM, kedleson@... writes:

<< my neuro said that if I used it for long periods of time then the muscles

would atrophy quicker, thus creating another problem. >>

I question his statement, although I'm not a medical person. Here are some

quotes from other CMTers.

" I wore a AFO on right leg for 3 years before left. When went to ortho. to

have left leg I checked because having trouble with tripping. Dr. said left

is atrophying and I wasn't wearing one yet. He said they will atrophy whether

wearing braces or not. "

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In another CMT support group we had a survey. The consensus was that if a

person's calves are going to atrophy, they will atrophy with or without the

AFOs. The person is wearing the AFOs BECAUSE of the weakness, not that it is

causing it.

In many families, if one child wore AFOs and the other one didn't, eventually

both had atrophy anyway. Or, if one was less severely affected his legs

showed that.

Many adults reported they had very atrophied calves even though they had

NEVER worn AFOs. Eventually, they did get AFOs because they were struggling

so much to walk, but the AFOs came AFTER their calves were badly atrophied.

The muscles atrophy because the nerves are dying, not because of the AFOs.

Eventually, many CMTers have atrophied muscles in their hands. They had never

worn AFOs or anything like that on their hands. The muscles atrophied

anyway. It's the nerves that are failing.

==========

I don't have the quote, but another member described her two CMT brothers.

One wore AFOs for years and the other didn't. The brother who did NOT wear

AFOs evenually had just as much atrophy as his brother, but he also had more

arthritis and joint pains from the extra stress NOT wearing AFOs put on his

joints. The brother with the AFOs was able to remain more active and he had

very little, if any pain.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but CMT muscles will atrophy (or not) at their

own preordained rate regardless of what we do or don't do. I have never heard

of any studies to prove one way or another, so it is mostly subjective

thinking.

============

We vary a great deal. Many CMTers never have the extreme effects that some

CMTers have.

We are all individuals. For example, I don't have any atrophy and my arches

are low. Instead I have weakness and nerve pain.

Kat

[Guest guest]

I didn't mean to imply that the AFOs themselves cause the atrophy of the

muscles BUT by wearing them regularly, the muscles are less apt to work as

hard, thus making them weaker. I admit, if by using my AFO more, my back and

neck pain would subside, then by all means I would be pro AFOs.

Common ssense dictates with me. If I have to do a lot of walking, then I

will wear my AFO. Sure wish they could come up with a better device for the

summer. They are much too hot then!!!