A great gift

One of my friends gave me a leg brace he found in the house he had bought.
I don't really know what they are called but it has a thick rubber sole, 2 covered lengths of spring steel running up the leg, an internal fabric boot and the contraption is held on with a gazillion of velcro straps.
I tried it on yesterday, it forces me to walk straight and not arch my back to keep my balance.
For the first time in ages my back wasn't screaming at me last night that it wanted to lay down.
I walk like Herman Monster but who cares? My back is hurting less :U
Now I just hope the orthopedist will approve of it.
Cheers
SAISAY

SAISAY could be the start of something new. I used to find this with Ski boots many years ago similar strapped up from toe calf had the same effect.

There are shin splints available which are not as bulky and do the same thing, I had two of these fitted took a walk for the physio to see how they helped me. Ended up with a broken Tib and Fib when I collapsed in a heap. Even those who use Ski boots will tell you that altering the support area can put stresses on other areas and cause other problems so please be careful.

I found it difficult at first with my feet at different heights. Then I found a pair of old sandals where the heel is the same height as the "boot". That made it much more comfortable.

Ortho wanted to make me a plastic shells that went under my foot and up along my calf as it is my "droopy" foot and weak ankle that is causing problems. No strength whatsoever in the ankle.
However, he also told me he would rather not, as plastic is hot and not very comfortable in the tropics.

Cheers
SAISAY

So today I have been in the shed almost all day working on the CNC machine.
I was wearing my "Boot" all day and by dinnertime my back had not screamed at me once.
Took the boot off and had a shower, now my back is screaming at me that it wants to lay down.
Conclusion:
It must somehow help me keeping from straining my back when I walk.
I sure hope the ortho approves of it.
Going to have a MRI scan on 20th October to determine how many fractures I actually have/have had in the vertebrae.
Hopefully not too many.
I am waiting for the appointment for my annual Osteoporosis infusion.
Works heaps better than Fosimax :U
Cheers
SAISAY

I have a pair of these even tho i do not stand much these days wareing them still relieves the lower back ankle and hip area just by the support given to the ankle it maybe all you need.

Donjoy RocketSoc :: Sports Supports | Mobility | Healthcare Products

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAISAY

I found it difficult at first with my feet at different heights. Then I found a pair of old sandals where the heel is the same height as the "boot". That made it much more comfortable.

Ortho wanted to make me a plastic shells that went under my foot and up along my calf as it is my "droopy" foot and weak ankle that is causing problems. No strength whatsoever in the ankle.
However, he also told me he would rather not, as plastic is hot and not very comfortable in the tropics.

Cheers
SAISAY

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Hi SAISAY. I'm glad you've round a suitable work around. Don't rule out the plastic shell. I recently had an orthotic (AFO - ankle-foot-orthotic) made for me and so far it's been great. It's meant to lift my droopy toe, roll my foot outward and keep my foot (and ankle) more or less in the same line as the non-affected side. A stroke has affected my right side (mostly leg and foot). So far I only wear it a few hours a day and haven't been game to drive with it yet.

The big thing is that it has dramatically reduced to tripping risk caused by dragging my foot. I can turn on the spot again and stand at the lathe for hours without noticing. I don't have to back pains you suffer though and my ankle is okay. My brain just can't keep my leg and foot muscles doing what they're meant to.

My was made privately so the wait time was much shorter. Still took 8 weeks from referral to delivery mind you. Private health paid a bit so I'm about $250 out of pocket. I needed new shoes (several sizes larger) too because you can't wear the orthotic alone. I use the insert from one shoe upside down in the other to somewhat equalize height. I also need to take smaller steps but I think (hope) that will change with practice.

Anyway, for me the big thing is safety. An ankle-foot orthotic is a much more natural fit than a bracing boot and it corrects stance and gait. That means I can move around more naturally and not worry about a wobbly leg.

d.

That is the problem I have with my left foot.
The big toe is dropping further than the other toes and I cannot lift it up.
The foot itself is also dropping and I can neither stretch it nor lift it up.
I also kept falling over because my droopy toe kept on catching on the floor and tripping me.
I have no feeling in my shin from the knee down and no feeling in my toes either so when I hurt myself, I don't notice until someone comments that I am bleeding. Rather embarrassing :-
I am seeing the orthopedic surgeon on 5th November and the Rheumatologist on the 16th October.
Sometimes it feels like I am in constant transit between Cairns and Tully Heads :C
Cheers
SAISAY

Funny thing is, after years of seeing specialists, physios, exercise physios, occupational therapists and so on - I went to the physio for a non-stroke matter and it was only then that the topic of a corrective orthotic cropped up. The other medical people certainly looked after me, treated me well both personally and professionally but they all focussed on the shorter term issues of getting me one track, teaching me to walk, talk and feed myself (yep, I was pretty bad for a while). Most worked with correcting habits through muscle control and not corrective aids (other than walking sticks). That's okay but really tires me out trying to focus attention on walking and balancing (and it's been nearly six years now) so usually I walk with a limp and drag my foot esp. when tired.

I still have all my feeling and senses luckily. I still fall down easily at times but have not broken anything so far. Have some nice scars and have drowned a mobile phone however (don't go fishing now.) I also know what you mean about constantly having to get to appts. Up until a few years ago mine all local but some weeks there'd be 4 or 5 in a row. Even more on scanning and blood testing weeks. I had to go to outer northern Bris from the Gold Coast (130k) to be fitted as the waiting time locally was 5-6 months.

I hope you manage to find a convenent fix. It's still early days but I know I'm more mobile than before and that's got to be a good thing so don't give up looking for better options.

Actually, now I think about it the physio visits were stroke related because I stuffed my left shoulder when favouring the weaker right side.

Went and saw the rheumatologist.
He thought the "boot" was a bit heavy and advised me to wear some sturdy shoes instead.
Yeah right.
Tried it for 2 days and could barely move for backpains.
The shoes do not support my ankle so of course I was favouring my right leg again and twisting my back doing it.
Back to the boot I went and my back thanked me :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAISAY

I found it difficult at first with my feet at different heights. Then I found a pair of old sandals where the heel is the same height as the "boot". That made it much more comfortable.

Ortho wanted to make me a plastic shells that went under my foot and up along my calf as it is my "droopy" foot and weak ankle that is causing problems. No strength whatsoever in the ankle.
However, he also told me he would rather not, as plastic is hot and not very comfortable in the tropics.

Cheers
SAISAY

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I have dropped foot there is velcro ones that has metal that slides inside your shoelace as like you here in townsville humidity that not an option so the hospital sent me off to see the orthotics department and they make the brace to your foot and even supplied new joggers for nothing so there is other option besides plastic for dropped foot.

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