Drop foot

pipkin71

Not after medical advice, just wondering if anyone else suffers from this?

My foot is becoming quite deformed and the steps taken so far to correct this haven't worked and it's getting worse.

Surgery is looking like an option to try to correct the problem as my balance is affected by this and I fall over due to change in floor surface or not clearing steps ect.

Any experiences on this one? Has anyone found a suitable aid to help with the problem? I use an AFO but it causes it's own problems and I don't like it

surrobeth

I have foot drop on my left side, mine is because of a neuro condition (tethered spinal cord syndrome), I use an AFO but as you say it is not nice, especially in hot weather as it rather limits footwear and clothing. I looked the other day to see if there were any funkier styles or colours about but I couldn't find anything. I know some people have support tape and find that helps or there are dorsi-straps or Musmate but I've never tried either.

pipkin71

surrobeth wrote: »

I have foot drop on my left side, mine is because of a neuro condition (tethered spinal cord syndrome), I use an AFO but as you say it is not nice, especially in hot weather as it rather limits footwear and clothing. I looked the other day to see if there were any funkier styles or colours about but I couldn't find anything. I know some people have support tape and find that helps or there are dorsi-straps or Musmate but I've never tried either.

Mine's due to neuro / spinal conditions too surrobeth.

I've looked at the dorsi-straps but not heard of Musmate before. The AFO is horrid but my foot is twisting inwards quite significantly and is causing quite a few problems now.

Edited to add:

Actually I have seen the musmate - I didn't know that's what they were called though. I didn't like this due to wearing the straps outside of the clothes.

http://www.musmate.co.uk/musmate.htm

longhotbath

Hi - can you go back for a new afo? My sons foot twisted over when in standard afo's. His new one is awful to get on - its a bit like a clam shell, and has straps over his big toe to stop the twisting, and 3 velro straps up the leg. Its stopped the twisting.
He loves wearing his - it means that he can stand and take steps. He wears crocs over the top - the only child in school that does!!

pipkin71

longhotbath wrote: »

Hi - can you go back for a new afo? My sons foot twisted over when in standard afo's. His new one is awful to get on - its a bit like a clam shell, and has straps over his big toe to stop the twisting, and 3 velro straps up the leg. Its stopped the twisting.
He loves wearing his - it means that he can stand and take steps. He wears crocs over the top - the only child in school that does!!

That's interesting longhotbath.

My foot has twisted quite significantly in the last 8 - 9 months, although I've had the problem a while now.

Do you know the name of the AFO your son wears? How does he find it? Is it comfortable or does he suffer any friction on his skin? I've a couple of open sores where it's rubbed.

I have looked at the Foot-up and wondered whether that would help, but not sure it would improve the balance as it doesn't cover the toes.

tenacioust123

Hi

I have the beginnings of foot drop, did not know what it was but my physio explained to me. This has been caused by spinal surgery my nerves have been damaged. At the moment I am having intensive physio which does seem to be helping although I'm still tripping and stumbling all over the place stairs being the worst. He has told me I might need a brace?? Is foot drop progressive and can it get better?

TT

longhotbath

pipkin71 wrote: »

That's interesting longhotbath.

My foot has twisted quite significantly in the last 8 - 9 months, although I've had the problem a while now.

Do you know the name of the AFO your son wears? How does he find it? Is it comfortable or does he suffer any friction on his skin? I've a couple of open sores where it's rubbed.

I have looked at the Foot-up and wondered whether that would help, but not sure it would improve the balance as it doesn't cover the toes.

Hi Pipkin71, I dont know if it has a name Im sorry, It was made by the local hospital orthotist in conjunction with my sons physio. It is made to fit him - feet and legs are plastered first. It is well padded inside - he has a callus and a couple of sores from the last afo 's where his feet twisted and the afo rubbed.
This new one hasnt made them any worse.

I have just googled this site - www.footankle.com. My sons is a solid afo, which is molded to cover the whole length of the foot, and the ankle and back and sides of the lower leg. The afo covers nearly the whole of the foot - just a 1.5 inch wide strip down the fron of the foot which is securely anchored together by velcro. There is velcro which wraps around his big toe to anchor the bottom of the afo. the whole thing is made to fit and is replaced a couple of times a year as he grows - he is 6, and is a very very snug fit. He cannot wear ribbed socks - we find that ladies long socks work best. He wears them about 10 hours a day. athey are comfortable and we check daily for any signs of wear. He looks forward to putting them.

I would really reccomend going back to your gp/physio for a custom made afo.

pipkin71

tenacioust123 wrote: »

Hi

I have the beginnings of foot drop, did not know what it was but my physio explained to me. This has been caused by spinal surgery my nerves have been damaged. At the moment I am having intensive physio which does seem to be helping although I'm still tripping and stumbling all over the place stairs being the worst. He has told me I might need a brace?? Is foot drop progressive and can it get better?

TT

Mine's been progressive, and I've not heard of it getting better although it can be helped with aids and exercises. The AFO - or brace - is really uncomfortable for me. I've had two different ones, both plastic but I don't like them

Quite often it is caused by nerve damage to the spine. I have no feeling in some of the toes either. I think going up or down the stairs is a problem and although I have had extra rails fitted, I still manage to fall Pavements that are uneven, kerbside, shop fronts - all of those can cause problems too, so do take care when out and about

toofy

Hi, I have suffered on & off over several years ( from 1995) with sciatica and this has resulted on 2 occasions with losing reflex at the ankle, then last year losing dorsiflexion of my left foot, causing me to find difficulty in walking- numbness, stumbling, tripping etc. On both instances I regained my mobility and reflexes, and I feel this is due to the fact I kept mobile. At this time last year I had bought Wii Fit, and I doggedly just kept using it day after day even though it felt like someone else's foot! and I am convinced it was this exercise that restored my mobility. I was scared to death that I had lost the reflex forever and I would remain like that permanently, it still fills me with dread that it could happen at any time...however my advice is to not lose faith, it can improve...good luck!

tenacioust123

Thanks for that toofy
The phsyio has helped but it's a very slow progress, sadly exercise is a no no for me as I can hardly walk since my surgery. I have a large elastic band that the physio gave me that i put round my foot while I'm sat I pull and try to push it back with my foot. I do this numerous times a day.

pipkin71

tenacioust123 wrote: »

Thanks for that toofy
The phsyio has helped but it's a very slow progress, sadly exercise is a no no for me as I can hardly walk since my surgery. I have a large elastic band that the physio gave me that i put round my foot while I'm sat I pull and try to push it back with my foot. I do this numerous times a day.

I've got one of those Looks like a dog lead though :rotfl: