AFOs

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Gretchen!

I was thinking that maybe there were some ankle strength training

exercises that would be helpful. I had previously been told that I had

very strong calves that were helping to compensate for my foot/ankle

issues. I do a lot of exercise/walking. I can walk 10 miles + so I

was pretty taken aback at this. I will definitely take your advice.

You have made me feel much better!!

Deb

[Guest guest]

Deb:

Personally, I would not get AFOs unless YOU feel you need them. I've noticed

that many doctors see the CMT diagnosis and jump right to

prescribing AFOs, needed or not. I made the mistake of listening to them and I

used AFOs in the past. They are great IF you need them for improving gait and

safety. However, the problem with them is that they brace large parts of your

foot/ankle/leg NOT just the muscles impaired by CMT; this can result in greater

atrophy as the other muscles become dependent on the AFOs.

The other problem is that the more you wear them the more you need

to wear them because the imbalance between the strength in your thighs and the

strengthen in your lower legs is likely to increase due to your lower legs

relying on the AFOs and your upper legs being able to walk faster and get more

of a work out than in the past. This will make your balance worse without the

AFOs than it was before you had them.

I do not wear AFOs any longer and have found that aquatic exercise, gym workouts

and Pilates have really helped to improve my balance, strength and endurance.

However, I CAN'T get back the calf muscle that atrophied more quickly when I was

wearing AFOs.

I am NOT trying to dissuade people who need them from wearing

them; they can be great. I also may consider wearing them again in the future

especially if I begin to fall a lot more or have worse drop-foot (I do have some

drop foot now).

Peace,

Marti

[Guest guest]

You should give the metal braces a try. They are much cooler in hot weather

and easier to wear. You don't need to wear those long socks with them. I have

a teenage friend here who stays buzy working etc. He got tired of his plastic

afo's breaking. He just got fitted for some metal ones. He is looking forward to

getting them. He was talking about being able to wear shoes his normal size

and to be able to feel what the shoes actually feel like and not just a hunk of

plastic in them. Give the metal braces a try and see if you don't like them

better.

bob

>

> Hey guys,

>

> Here's an idea. I always put tall boot socks under my AFOs (made for horse

> back riders). They are usually made of superthin material that is breathable

> and stretches. I always folded the end over the top of my braces. They

come in

> all kinds of colors too.

>

> Coming into this warm weather, I always remember how hot my feet would

get

> in AFOs. It was a pain in the butt! I actually think I made the doctors screw

> holes in one set of my AFOs. It didn't help too much though.

>

> Liz

> Kentucky (although I have a job now! I'll be moving back to New Hampshire

> with my horse after graduation to do editorial work!)

>

>

>