ankle splint/support/AFO's

[Englishgremlin1]

I had my session toady and was fitted with Otto Bock Dyna Ankles instead of the Ritchie ones. Apparently the conditin of my ankle joints is such that the Ritchie ones would not give enough support (the joints are wobbling in all directions and too far gone). I as told that the hinge type splints would not be enough and I need almost like a plastic casting job instead. If these do not work they will take a cast of my ankles and custom make some splints that stop all the wobble.

It feels wierd with them on - a bit constricted but he said that is normal movement. If that is normal all these non bendies are truly wierd.

Will post photos of the new splints soon so others can see what they are like.

[Tiz]

I could do with some suggestions on ankle braces. The main problem I've got is a sharp pain right inside the joint that gets worse if the joint is compressed so bending my foot forwards is painful, trying to walk down stairs is particularly bad for it.

So far I've tried the top one here

http://www.bodybraces.co.uk/acatalog/An ... races.html
Deluxe Canvas Lace-up Ankle Brace

Which does seem to help a bit but it's a not really possible to get it laced up any way so that it provides some support but without putting any pressure on the sore bit so it ends up making me worse. And today I've had this

http://physiosupplies.com/acatalog/Airc ... races.html

arrive in the post, which doesn't seem to cause any problems pressing on the hurty bit but also doesn't seem to provide any support at all, certainly not the kind I'm after.

I did ask prof G about braces when I last saw him and he just suggested I try boots and I did get some walking boots but I'm a size 7 AA width so normal shoes don't fit me properly, no matter how tight I do up the boots they just don't give me any real support. I do buy specialist width fitting shoes but can't find any boots anywhere.

I really need to do something, my knees and hips are starting to be a real problem and I'm convinced that's largely down to muscle wastage from not walking, I really need to get back on my feet.

Please help!

[Englishgremlin1]

You really nede an orthotist here but e all know how hard it is to get to see them.

It sounds like you need something sturdier with a piece under the foot as well to hold the joint stable. The aircast type splints are not really much good for problems other than sprains and short term injuries.

I did use the McDavid type ones for a year or two and they were ok. One other option that may help is a company I saw an advery for a while back that do made to measure boots for disabled people. I will dig back in my magazines and see if I can find the advert.

This is going to cost quite a lot so I would highly recommend getting referred to an orthotist on the NHS as good splints and supports cost more than most os us can afford.

[Tiz]

Thanks EG, I had a look at the McDavid ones and they do look more suitable than the one I've got here, I may give them a try. How would I get refered to an orthotist? I'm not going back to see the ankle specialist 'till September (I've got to wait for six months before I'm even allowed to tell him that the cortizone injection did absolutely nothing!) and last time I spoke to Prof G he just said I needed to go back to see the ankle specialist, most frustrating! I think custom boots are going to be well out of my price range, I did look into getting some shoes made, nothing to do with orthotics just normal shoes that actually fit, they started from about £1200 I'm having trouble persuading anyone there's really much of a problem and just keep getting told I should excercise by walking lots, I feel like I've got to stick myself permenantly in a wheelchair before anyone takes me seriously, by which time it will be rather too late methinks!

[Blaadyblah]

Tiz love, they don't take you any more seriously in a chair.

Your GP should be able to refer you to an orthotist, but they may need an extra rheumy ok before ordering expensive splints.

[Englishgremlin1]

I would definetly try your gP for a referrel, if a gentle request does not work use some persuasion. The Rhuemy referred me but it must be worth a go. I found the orthotists more helpful than consultants if that is any encouragment.

They can also arrange for boots as well so would be a very useful contact to make.

As for going into a chair - some of them then say "What do you need splints for you are not walking anyway?", so I would not recomend thatb approach. I am afraid you have to fight for any progress, it took me 3 years from knowing the need to getting any real help. Persist, push and persuade is my method and it does eventually get results. Non of us are that rich to pay for all the gear we need and you are entitled to on the NHS.

[Tiz]

I'm already using a chair for anything other than very short distances anyway, I was hoping some good support might enable me to do a bit more walking. I guess I'll try asking my GP then, not sure what he's going to think of me, I've only just moved to the practice and I've already made him refer me for night resting splints for my wrists, I hope he doesn't think I've had enough for one lifetime already.

[Englishgremlin1]

I hope he is helpful. It is not his personal money he is spending after all.

[Tiz]

A very good point indeed!

[Englishgremlin1]

Help

I need some urgent advice here from people who use ankle supports. My new supports are good in terms of keeping the bits of leg and ankle vaguels in the right place, however skin issues are creeping in. To keep the joint stable I have to have them tight and they are taking the skin of the ankel joint and my carer was in tonight and said if I was old and daft he would be calling the doctor in.

I need a way of keeping the skin under the straps from breaking down - else if I can't wear them then I can't transfer well and loose my progress in physio.

Anyone know of somthing to wear under the straps to protect the skin without putting more pressure on?

Please - any expereince on this as I am desparate.

[Sue New]

Hi Graham,

Are you wearing your socks underneath the splints? Most ankle splints should be worn with the socks underneath.

I once had a similar problem with my wrist splint and my GP suggested I use tubigrip underneath.

I hope either of these things help.

Take care,

Sue.

[Englishgremlin1]

Thanks Sue - I am wearing the socks but will try the tubi grip.

[Englishgremlin1]

Not good news today - took them off and even more swelling and skin damage - I think I will have to ring the orthotics lot for advice. The carers are saying that they will be be able to put them on unless things improve.

I have tried cotton socks and tubi grip so I think it is the idea of the straps and skin which are not getting on.

[nat05]

What are the straps made from? When I started to wear my Ritchies I could only wear thick sports socks (mens ones work much better than the pansy female ones). I dont know much about Otto Bock Dyna Ankles. Can you only adust one set of straps (how many sets?) What about trying lambswool lining or something similar to what is used in the upper limb splints? This page has a number of options:
http://www.handyhealthcare.co.uk/mobility-aids/splinting/padding-materials/index.html

I think you should get in touch with the orthotist to see what they suggest. I wish I could be of more help.

I am also having a problem with mine. I am finding my medial malleolus is rubbing against the brace (through the padding) and have constant marks and additional pain on the inside of my ankle on the bony protrusion. The worse my ankles are the more pain and rubbing becomes a cycle. Until yesterday it had been the right ankle causing most problems which is normal as it suffered more damage than the left. Yesterday it was the left and I had shooting pains in my ankle and up my leg. By the time i managed to get my boots of I could see and feel the bone was out. My tibia dislocated at the medial malleolus (inside of ankle on protrusion) and it was so painful. I need to see my podiatrist to see if i can have additional padding or work out how to reduce the problem.

[Englishgremlin1]

Thanks for that. they have 4 straps, one over just behing the toes, 2 over the ankle itself and one over the calf. They have foam padding on each of them. This is the info on the beast.

http://www.ottobock.co.uk/cps/rde/xbcr/ ... aAnkle.pdf

I have a nasty feeling it will be a case of try something else.