ankle splint/support/AFO's

[Eloise]

Always wondered why I was a sensible shoe person.

No way could I ever where heels - all my mates said I just needed to learn - but I never could - I would fall over, twist my ankle and knees and hips would kill me!

I can only where laces ups etc - my feet are the wrong shape for slip on ones.

My core stabilizing hasn't reached my ankles (Or even my knees) yet - but will continue on.......

Take care everyone xx

[Jess]

After a day of wearing a MacDavid Light wieght Support. It has been blissfull! not worrying if my ankle would give way!!
As like all I don't wear high heals cos I physaly can't.
I live in trainers and Doc Martins or Kicker Boots!

I can't handle walking in flat fancy shoes that you see in the high street.
i've got to have at least 5mm between my feet and the pavement!!

[paige]

Would it be possible to ask for core-stabilising exercises from a physio

I am going to make another appointment to see my gp and ask if I can see a physio.

Core stabilising exercise can help - even with unstable ankles eventually. Or an appropriate lower limb course to help with this.

so the answer for me would be - demand physio to help with core stability and lower limb strength - ask that a physio show you appropriate wobble board exercises that when you have mastered these safely you can continue at home.

I used to do core stabilising exercises before I was diagnosed as having mild scoliosis of the spine and was told not to exercise anymore and I do wonder if stopping doing all the exercises to strengthen my feet, ankles and legs hasn't contributed to my little toe subluxing. So I really do need a physio to tell me what exercises I should and shouldn't be doing.

Ankle braces unfortunately don't help improve muscle strength

.

TBH I don't understand why he decided I should have aircast stirrups for a subluxed little toe. If I wear very supportive trainers\boots my ankles don't give. He said I could wears crocs, which I said would not give me the ankle support and he said I could wear any shoe if I wore the stirrup. So I was very surprised to read that nurses have been banned from wearing cros because they cause so many accidents.
http://www.feetforlife.org/cgi-bin/sear ... search.y=3


Anyway from reading the posts on here it certainly doesn't seem a good idea, and when I asked about physio he did say he was a surgeon and only did surgery

Thanks again Nonya for your very helpful reply, I am really grateful.

[elise]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody has experience with AFO supports. I understand they support the foot, ankle and lower leg. My son has the all to common weak ankles which have collaped so the ankle bone has fallen down towards the floor. He is currently using heal cups which are useless and Peidro boots which are struggling to hold it all together. My son is 11. Would be interested to hear anyones experience of AFO's as the Physio is suggesting this would be the next step. Many thanks.

[verbalKint]

I've used several AFO's through the years and the only real draw-back is, after a while I got severe pain in my big toe. This problem could be unique to me, I don't know but this was remedied when I purchased a gel insole (no more painful toe.) Ironically, just when my AFO was getting comfortable again I fell down the stairs. Now my big toe is to painful and swollen to wear the AFO inside of the shoe.

The incident wasn't AFO related, nor was I drunk or hung-over, my knee gave-out half way down that's all!

[barkingmad]

Whats AFO?

[Joski]

Donna an AFO = Ankle Foot Orthosis, it's a rigid, molded immobilising support/splint for the foot and ankle.

Elise, sorry to hear about your son's ankle problems. I've worn AFO's and KAFO's (Knee, ankle, foot orthosis) over the years, and actually now wear a state of the art full length leg calliper. An AFO can be good at stabilising severe instability in the ankle, but because they are so rigid they can put more strain on the joints above and of course the immobilisation can affect muscle tone too.

With your son being so young I'd suggest trying some of the semi-rigid ankle braces/supports first, as they allow a bit more movement and mobility whilst still providing support to the joint. Something like the Aircast ankle brace or the Airlift PTTD brace might be worth looking in to (click on the names for more info)

Your best bet would probably be seeing an orthotist about the best options though as they are specifically trained and skilled at finding the right supports for individual needs.

Hope that helps a little,
Jo x

[Charliesmom]

My son is 11 too and he wears articulated (hinged) AFOs. He started in Piedros as a toddler..then added heel cups, then short afos (SMOS) but the more he grew the more his feet pronated and his gait deteriorated. Hinged AFOs look a bit overkill (look 'disabled') but they do give fanastic support. Charlie has been in them since he was 7 and he is much better for them.
Our new physio is wanting to try cutting them back down and I know it wont work cos we have tried before.

They do some funky designs on them too!
Jules
ps if you like I can prob post a pic!

[Jess]

Ive just been given state of the art AFOs from my Orthics guy. they are from PUSH BRACES a company in Holland but do not look 'specail' and as bulky. They rap around the ankle have all the stability of the plastic AFOs without the long underfoot support. they act like a hindged AFO but not as heavy. I can wear the same shoes as I would without the splints.

[elise]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

We went to the hospital yesterday and Michael has been cast for AFO's. We were hoping to get hinged AFO's to let the ankles have moment, but we have to have the fixed version. Unfortunately his ankles are in the wrong place and it would be to uncomfortable for him to have a hinge. They are the just under the knee version and he has chosen a really funky green raindrop design!!

Will keep you updated!! If anyone has tips on how to wear them in, that would be great!!

Thank you all
E xx

[Jess]

I have just found the english website for the push braces. its:
www.pushstore.co.uk

AS for hints for AFOS have long socks on when wearing them as they are more comfortable as my students at work tell me(work in a scope residental school). Pound shops often sell then but they are often labled as Ladys/girls over the knee socks. But our lads wear then and you can get plain black ones. Depending on how much space you have inside the AFo with football socks also work but can get abit hot. When you go to collect them make sure you have the socks that he your son is going to wear with them so they can adjust them. As may splints are made to go with thin socks and not thick and if your son is wearing thicker socks it maybe a bit tight around the ankles. Many of our students find it is more commfortable when the socks are folded back over the top as it stops the socks from inching their way down when they are walking, or haveing a wiggle when they are sitting in their wheelchairs.
You may also find depending on the type of strapping on the front of the ankle will mark the exposed area or it will swell from rubbing but that is mostly when there is a hinge or if the foot is moving in the splint.

[karenpreece]

hi anyone found an ankle splint they can wear with the orthotic inside a shoe.
i have had 3 types but cant keep my orthortic as well as splint in the shoe my latest one is a push brace one.
suggestion please.
thanks karen

[Sue New]

Hi Karen,

I used to have that problem with my Push brace as well, but now I have a custom made Richie Brace that incorporates the orthotic insole as well as the ankle brace. It falls into the category of an AFO (Ankle/Foot orthotic). It is brilliant!! My family are so impressed, as before my ankle used to collapse completely over to the outer side of my foot and make me unstable, but now I can stand upright without falling over to the side.

Here is a link to the brace:

http://www.richiebrace.com/


I was made aware of this brace by Adele (thanks Adele ), and luckily my orthotist was good enough to arrange for me to be casted for it. The braces are from the US but they have a company that make them in Ireland. When I went to collect the brace, the orthotist's student took loads of before and after photos of how I stood, and is going to do a project about it.

I hope this info helps.

Sue.

[karenpreece]

thanks for that tip been to see my foot man today and he is going to get me a pair of the ritchie one that's sounds good to me

[Sue New]

thanks for that tip been to see my foot man today and he is going to get me a pair of the ritchie one that's sounds good to me

Great news Karen!!

I really hope the Richie braces work as well for you as they have for me and Adele. My orthotist has tried me with a few ankle braces, but this is definately the best I have had so far.

Best wishes,

Sue.