Re: AFO's suck

[Guest guest]

Well, it took me all of 30 minutes to decide that the AFO's are junk.

Tethers??? What in the world is the purpose of them? They don't do a thing.

They are from the toe to the top of the AFO, but serve no purpose since the

AFO is made of hard plastic anyway. I guess they are just for looks or

something...Maybe to make me feel better. Her feet wiggle out and she had huge

red

spots all the way up to her knee. Her leg was covered in sweat and she only wore

the thing for an hour. The external rotation that I was assured of is

nonexistent. They stated that the " leg is the anchor for the rotation " There

was NO

rotation whatsoever. Just an L shaped piece of plastic that fits so tight she

can't even wear socks with it. Well, that was money well wasted.

I am not sure what to do at this point. I put her DBB back on her

tonight. She didn't get upset or anything. I guess I will check her feet

during

the night to see what they look like, if she doesn't wake up first. Maybe if

she just sleeps in it for now, she won't wiggle enough to get a sore on her

non-CF. I just don't want to go any longer without any sort of brace on her

foot- it's already been too long as it is.

If she has the beginnings of another sore then I will cry in

frustration- atleast I know I have all of you to help support me through this

tough

time.

Thanks for all of your input and I now completely agree with Dr.

Ponseti that AFO's are " useless in the treatment of CF. " Heck, all they had to

do

was show me one and I wouldn't have wasted my money on one.

We didn't get home from getting the AFO until after 6 PM and I was so

disgusted I haven't taken pics yet. I will try to do that tomorrow and figure

out how to post them.

I want to thank everyone for the input and concern. Wish us luck with the

DBB AGAIN....

Will let you know how it turns out.

Freeman

Kaitlin Freeman 3/9/04 LCF