Re: Helios

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Kay,

Could you please tell me what didn't work for you or your brother with the

Helios braces?

Thank you,

Lainie

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

To all,

Mitch was who made mine too. Just to avoid any confusion. I don't

know this Marmaduke guy.

Jim

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Jackie - same question as to Kay - what specific kind of trouble are you

having with the Helios?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

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,

[Guest guest]

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

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PM

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sheila

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Bob said " The

> video showing the girl walking in them on their website looks good

> too. " or do u mean the GIRL looked good ; )

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Bob,

Do you have extremely weak quads or just foot drop?

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Bob:

Hi my name is Betty, is there a chance you could post some pictures of your

AFOs. Please!

Betty

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

I just have foot drop.

Bob