Atrophy and braces: Please help me
 

Dearest Neurotalk friends,

I have progressing atrophy of my legs, and my ankles are turning in and my knees are knocking.

Has this happened to any of you? Should I try wearing some sort of braces to stop this?

I have also begun to resort to a walker when I am out and will have a long walk to the doctor's office or whatever.

I am feeling a bit desperate a this condition (Idiopathic PN, and Small Fiber Neuropathy) is changing my life now.

My knees are also hurting and I wonder if having my knee replacement will help at all with my walking?

As you can tell I am feeling discouraged.

I also recently read an article about the atrophy of the brain as a result of the loss of stimulation from nerves in the feet and legs.

What? Please let me get no worse.

Hugs, ElaineD

I was so hoping someone here would know about neuropathy atrophy and about braces.

Hugs, ElaineD

Hoping for you
 

to stop wasting. I lost 60 lbs (was fat to begin) and had to go to a walker. It was explained to me that conditions that involve muscle wasting usually have a "critical phase" that will run its coarse and stop. Mine was Amyotrophy. As far as braces I have no experience but remember that my Chiropractor was pretty savvy on motion,walking, etc. Maybe you could get some help thatway. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Hi, I probably started wear a knee SUPPORT about 20 yrs ago for right knee...I was still going to my gym into my mid 60's....I still wear a support daily and now I'm working with a magnetic support...not a brace per se, but supports.

Since hip replacement my knee is so worse hence the continuing knee supports and many topicals and joint supplements.

Then because of knee mess, foot/ankle is all worse so I wear supports on my ankle and topicals too.

I wear a back support and have been for probably 20 yrs too -- lower back issues have been a part of me for about 60 yrs.

I know our issues are different I think, but this is what I work with.

I'm doing all to do NO knee surgery, hip did me in and I fear a KNIFE to my body.

My main issue for me is Osteoarthritis.

This is my story, ElaineD... C

Thanks Ken. It just seems to be something that isn't posted about much....atrophy and braces. I know they do braces for foot drop, and I do have this.

The atrophy has occurred about 8-9 years after the neuropathy started. It is idiopathic (Probably related to my Immune Disorder).

I just don't want it to progress, but I feel so 'disabled' with the pain of my arthritic knees and the instability of my PN.

Oh well....I do my best. We don't 'get out alive' do we?

:)

Hugs, ElaineD

I use braces for foot drop and would say yes to your question of braces to keep your feet and knees in proper position. IMO I think it's worse for your whole body to have these things out if alignment, and will just keep causing more problems as other body parts have to compensate for the ones that are weak and unable to function properly.
I held off as long as possible before resorting to braces for foot drop, but now that I wear them, I am so glad to have them. Walking is so much easier with them, my gait is better, speed is better, the rest of my body is not so tired from compensating for the weakened calve muscles.
Google them and see what is available "off the shelf" I find these to be lighter and less bulky than custom made ones. I like the carbon fiber braces.

Hi Elaine,

I don't have PN but CRPS, a close cousin I suppose...and have survived multiple foot operations and major nerve damage. My physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist was opposed to me personally going into a brace except as a last resort. They help hold position but will contribute to atrophy since you are no longer doing the work yourself. I would council moderation and a PT consult. There must be exercises that you can do to help keep the muscles stimulated and the nerves getting motor signal. Consider doing aquatherapy so gravity is not also an issue. You can really get a lot of muscle work and stimulation in the water. I should know, I was non-weightbearing on crutches for nine months and on a scooter for a year.

Keep at it no matter what and don't give up hope. For the longest time all the reps I did on PT exercises seemed to go nowhere but they were preventing further loss. Eventually, oh it was slow, I did start to build some muscle back. It took months but sometimes stubbornness is a virtue!

I am sorry you are dealing with so much. We all know how exhausting it can be. We are here for you.
:hug:

Hi Elaine. I've begun to have wastage in my right leg and my feet seem to be caving in. I don't know about braces sorry but my friend who's a very experienced physio thought an exercycle would be a good idea. I can't sit on an upright one so am currently looking for a recumbent one, where you're in a seat with arms each side. Especially good if balance isn't too good or you have weakness. I hope you find the right solution for you. Good luck ( :

Probably should add, since exercise is good for preventing atrophy... I do not wear any braces when I exercise. Do you currently wear your foot drop brace all the time? I wear them when out and about, working, shopping, etc.
Are your motor nerves to certain muscles damaged from the pn? Mine are, that is why the braces are so beneficial for me. While it is good to stimulate the nerves to help with atrophy, which I do through exercise, it is hard to push through an entire day with damaged motor nerves. That was where the braces came in, they make it able for me to work, and carry on a normal life, where as without them my body was too fatigued.
Hopefully all this info will help you with your decision-----I hope you find some relief either way. You always have the option of both, exercise and braces. You do not need to wear them all the time.

Do a search for Dynamic Bracing Solutions. They deal with neuropathy
 

This was recommended to me on another forum:

Dynamic Bracing Solutions

Does anyone know about this technique?

Hugs, ElaineD