AFO Pain

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

If it's the bottom of your foot or heel that hurts, remove the insole pad of

your shoe and have your orthotist trim it down and glue it to

the inside of your brace. The difference in comfort is like night and day. My

husband figured this one out for me 4 years ago and my orthotist was truly

impressed. If it's your calf that hurts, perhaps you've got the AFO strapped

too tightly. Your leg probably does swell some if you're on your feet a lot.

Make sure you leave yourself a little room for that.

[Guest guest]

Hi there,,

I appreciate your response. It is just the ball of my foot and the AFO is

creating like a little lump there. At the end of the day it is sore and the

foot pad of the AFO doesn't fit the contour of my foot, I must be recast I

believe. During the day wearing it with the foam pads put in it in certain

areas it doesn't hurt at all. It is the end of the day when I take it off. If

my description makes sense. LOL

Anyway I am going to see if he will recast my foot standing up instead of

sitting down.

How was yours cast? Standing up or sitting down?

Thanks for all the input.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

My orthotist cuts my footplate back to just beyond the arches. It

makes alot of difference in how your shoes fit. Plus it would take the

pressure of the ball of your foot. My orthotist told me that they have

found that the footplate doesn't have to extend to the toes to be

effective.Also he is making mine shorter to just above a crewsock

length. He also said research has shown that AFOs don't have to

extend to the knees to work for CMT. It took a little while to get

used to the different feeling but now that I am used to it, it is

fine. Give these ideas a try and see if it helps.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Elaine:

It sounds like the footplate is pressing near/on the ball of your

foot. When I had fit problems with my AFO I took a Sharpie and marked

where the pain was. The orthotist used these marks to fix the fit.

The marks show exactly where your pain is instead of the subjective

description of where the pain is.

After marking you pain spots, you should visit the orthotist late in

the day after wearing the brace. When you/he/she removes the brace

he/she can see the pressure points the brace makes in reference to

where you feel pain.

-- Larry