Hello to all,
I am writing this in hopes that it can help others who use AFO's to assist in walking. I have been using one since the beginning of my second year of RSd. It allowed me short periods of time on my leg without experiencing terrible pain with each step I took. While I was grateful for the little mobility it gave me, I always felt like I was dragging about a leg filled with concrete. But, I didn't think there was anything better out there. One night I was watching a show on Tv called "REBUILT". It was about an orthotist who designed and fabricated his own orthotics. So, I started wondering if there might be a better AFO out there. I searched on the internet to find an orthotist close to home that would be able to design and make an AFO specific to my needs. After a month of searching I found one about 2 hours from home in the state of Rhode Island. I went there twice last month. As soon as he watched me walk he knew what had to be done to help me walk better. So far, he has taken the AFO that I had and made several adjustments to it. When we have all the bugs worked out, he will make me a new one in the fall. It turns out that the AFO I was wearing was designed to treat footdrop which I don't have. I am doing so much better with the new AFO. I no longer use the wheelchair at all and can even do without the cane for a good distance. The change is very exciting. For the first time in my journey with RSD I feel like I have some control and that's a wonderful feeling. So, please, if you use an AFO, be sure it is the right one for you. Find someone who makes them specific to your needs. Don't be afraid to get 2,3 or more opinions.I hope this will help someone else as much as it has helped me.....Jeannie