Guest guest Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 I also got Helios braces, but did not work for me because of weak quads. They also didn't work for my brother and he has strong quads. Kay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Kay, Just got my shoes and metal braces the other day...man I'm having a hard time getting used to them...so heavy and cumbersome. Have to give them more time I know but so far they are very uncomfortable and I don't like the thought of wearing them...they get in my way..and tangle into each other at the ankle! Too bad about your Helios..is so hard to find an answer sometimes... Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Kay, Could you please tell me what didn't work for you or your brother with the Helios braces? Thank you, Lainie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Jackie, Actually, I have never been able to use them yet. I have been working with theraputic Pilates instructor to strengthen my quads, but haven't gotten to a point where I feel comfortable in them yet. I was very impressed with his video of the woman using them. I also took a video of me walking with them between paralle bars, which looked good as well. Because they act like ski boots and you need to push your bent knees into them your quads need to be strong enough to hold you up. I am impressed that I am able to stand up in them without holding onto or touching something. It almost feels like I am planted in the ground. If I wanted to be statue these would be perfect. They are also very very expensive. He's outside of my insurance network, so they only paid 1/4 of the cost. Hope this helps, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Bob, Yes you are right about the helios - good and bad. I have had them for several years now, but you are wrong about Marmaduke Luke,he is not the orthotist behind the Helios, he has absolutley NOTHING to do with MITCH WARNER in Las Vegas. Marmaduke started up with Jon Neilson who has lost his lisence. These two gave alot of heartache to myself and others they made braces for. Thanks, Lainie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Regarding the Helios, Please try and be more careful about putting out wrong information, Marmaduke Loke, is not the maker of the Helios, Warner is. I went to Las Vegas recently, and purchased the Helios. I could not be any happier! In my opinion it was worth every penney. I also have weak quads, but have never used a wheelchair. Mitch also evaluated a friend of mine, who has even weaker quads, and who was using a walker on and off. Mitch told her that he did not recommend the Helios, but he did recommend KAFO braces with knee locks. He also recommended that I get a PT for gait training, which I did, and my walking and balance has improved a 100% He also let me speak and email several people who have had the Helios for years, before I came out to Vegas. I personally cannot say enough nice things abouts Mitch, and about how wonderful I walk, and my family and friends agree. Shelia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 To all, Mitch was who made mine too. Just to avoid any confusion. I don't know this Marmaduke guy. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Hi Lainie, They didn't work for me because I'm to weak in the quads. My brother will need to answer why they didn't work for him. He ended up going to Hanger and having some new ones made. He should be back on the site next week, and can give you an answer then. As far as Mitch...he's great! Hopes this helps, Kay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Kay, I would be interested in hearing more specifically what about the Helios did not work for you or for your brother. I have considered getting them, but would like to know all info first. Thank you, in Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Hi Geri, Yes, I was really hoping they would work. I do wear them in my hot tub, and walk around in there with them on. I'm hoping someday I'll be strong enough to wear them on land. ;-) Kay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Jackie - same question as to Kay - what specific kind of trouble are you having with the Helios? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Hi Jim, My understanding was that all the molding and fitting of the Helios took place during one visit over a week. Was your experience different? And could you describe in more detail why the Helios have been hard with weakened quads? Thank you, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Yes, Jim, I have had the exact same problems. I can stand in them fine, but when I walk I feel more handicapped than ever and sometimes my knees give way and I fall. I think these work great for people who are not affected by quads; that is why the girl and the man walk so great in the video on the website. I also walked well when I was there, but I was concentrating so hard and had the bars there. I get very nervous walking in them in the " real world " . I am going to find a physical therapist who will work with me with them. They are too expensive to not give it my all and I must admit, I have not been doing that. I will find out in 2 weeks how much my insurance will pick up; they have told me that they finally approved the claim after 9 months, but not the amount. Jackie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.3/809 - Release Date: 5/17/2007 5:18 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Sheila, I agree about Mitch and how incredibly knowledgable and professional and compassionate he is. Where did you find the recommendation for the PT, because that is what I need in order to really use these braces. I am glad it is working for you. How weak are your quads? They consider mine " paralyzed " but Mitch was impressed at how well I did with standing and the little walking I did when I was there. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Hi Jackie, Mitch had recommended that I find a Vestibular PT, they are trained to specifically work with balancing problems. I worked with one in my area, and my PT had contacted Mitch. This type of PT, has made all of the difference. Incidentally, I was a little nervous about what happened if the braces did not work. Mitch makes test braces first which are made of the traditional plastic brace material. He had told me that when I was fit with the test brace, if I thought I could not walk or balance any better, that I could stop right then, and he would only charge me the standard price for plastic braces. But everything went very well, and I continued on with it. I thought that was very fair and honest. I would definately find a PT with a Vestibular backround. I was just starting to use a cane when I traveled, but I have not used it since being fit with my new braces, after the second week of wearing them. Shelia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 I would agree that the Helios are expensive, but if you can have your insurance pick up some of the cost that helps. But for me, it was money well spent because I have only fell once in them as opposed to at least 5 times a week before them. And my balance is a lot better. No more holding on to everything or leaning on something to stand in one place. I thought Mitch was great. You have to stay a week to get evaluated/fitted and he even offered to help me practice walking in them on Saturday if I wanted. He also told me about a cheaper version of the Helios. The material was different and not as rigid (but since I've broken every pair of braces I've had I didn't want to hear about them). They were in the prototype stage and that was about 2 yrs ago. For the person who's knee buckled in them, I would call Mitch because there is an over the knee adapter to the brace that you may need. When he first evaluated me he told me I needed that, then said I didn't after seeing me in his office. Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Sheila, I already have the braces and Mitch felt like that in the plastic they would work for me as he was thinking about KAFOs for me due to the extremely weak quads. I just have not been able to get to the point that I feel comfortable using them outside of the home and the times that I have tried I have fallen too many times. I think my best bet is to work with the PT; how many times did you need to go before it worked for you? I have a feeling that my quads must be weaker than yours because I have been using AFOs and a cane for many many years now. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Jackie, I went to PT for approximately one month. They will probably be able to tell you what you need, after an evaluation. You may want to contact Mitch for any help with this. Shelia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Thanks Sheila Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Bob said " The > video showing the girl walking in them on their website looks good > too. " or do u mean the GIRL looked good ; ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Jimmy, hahahh, good one, maybe you need some kevlar/graphite AFOs with ankle joints. That would eliminate the stress points I bet you are talking about. I like mine. They are stronger, lighter, and thinner. They are also the new shorter length that drs have decided works just as well as the longer ones. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Bob, Do you have extremely weak quads or just foot drop? Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Bob: Hi my name is Betty, is there a chance you could post some pictures of your AFOs. Please! Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 HI! IS ME AGAIN, BETTY. I ALREADY FOUND SOME GREAT PICTURES IN A WEBSITE. THANKS ANYWAYS. I AM TRYING TO CONVINCE MY SON TO WEAR AFOs. BETTY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 Jackie, I just have foot drop. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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