Leg braces
 

Hi there,
I haven't been on for a while. I pop in to check in but seldom say anything. I just want to update everyone on my latest news. First a little backround. I have had complex partial epilepsy since I was 16 because an accident. 58 now. It has been completely controlled by 2 medications since 2010. I had stage 3 colon in 2015. I went through the radiation and then took chemo pills. I was blessed. Things went off without a hitch. I was never sick, didn't lose a hair or have any side affects.
I started to notice a limp 2010-2011. I thought it was from a car accident when I was younger. I said something to my nero about it and he checked me and found it was neuropathy. I went to St. Louis University and they ran me through the ringer but could not find a cause. So, my limp got worse. My balance got worse. I wasn't very stable on my feet. ( And I work in sales 9 hrs a day on my feet)
I went to a place in our town called Mid America Rehab that helps folks that need rehabilitation for injuries and such. I should have gone there years ago. They put me in touch with a place in a neighboring city that deals with prosthetics. The fit me with plastic brace that fits under my foot and wraps around the back of my heel and up the back of my calf. It has a strap that ties off on the calf. It looks soo simple but it works great. I have great stability again. I can stand in one spot without having to put my hand on something for balance. I am very active and they will wear out and break, but oh well, I will just get another pair.
Sorry for the long post, but I am soo excited about these braces.
Thanks for listening,
Gene

Glad you found something that helps so much! You're very lucky. :D

Dear Geneo, I got my braces for both legs (Allard Blue Rocker) and have had exactly the same success. I can even back up and also walk down the middle of a hall!

Due to a series of other problems that developed this year after I got my braces (myoclonic seizures and severe sciatica, which required back surgery) I am just now getting back to some strength and stamina and am once again fully appreciating my braces.

By the way, NO doctor or physical therapist ever suggested braces. It was my idea and I followed suggestions from other forums and sought out someone to fit my braces (called orthotics in the business!).

I am amazed at what a difference they make. I put them on and right away I could walk, with the test pair.

What kind of braces do you have? I wanted The Dynamic Braces, custom made for me, but they are $10,000 apiece. So I got the ones I have, and they are great.

I even went for Physical Therapy to learn how to maximize the use of my braces, but my other problems soon developed (seizures and sciatica) so I didn't get very far. But there's always tomorrow!

Hugs, ElaineD

Hi Elaine,
I don't know what brand they are. I had a choice of composite or the plastic. The guy that I talked with found out what I did for a living and at home. I told him I was very active and was on my feet all day and did small carpenter work on the side. He said the composite would probably be too rigid and break, so the plastic was the choice for me. He was able to use a heat gun to mold it somewhat to my legs and bottom of my feet.
After I take them off at the end of the day I can really tell the difference. The end of my feet want to tip down, so I have to pick my feet up higher. Much more effort walking without the braces. Soo much more stable on my feet also. Oh, the price. Insurance paid $650 and I paid $65 for a pair. The sad thing is there is probably less than $25 worth of material and strapping in both braces. Gotta love the insurance.
Gene