Hello there, this is Kristin, I am new here. I was diagnosed ten years ago with CIDP. I have bi lateral foot drop. I wear AFO's When I take them off my ankles twist in and pull tightly...I woke up one morning with terrible ankle pain and hobbled around for about a month. I did not have an injury. I know the pulling tore the tendon. I just saw an ortho Dr and he put me in a huge walking boot. It is making my nerve pain worse. Has anyone else had this. I wonder does it matter that I have CIDP, is the treatment the same. It has only been three days in the boot and when I take it off, already my leg feels weaker adn floppier. Thanks in advance for any advice!!!!!!
I have a foot drop. I wear a custom A.F.O. and I HIGHLY recommend you wear one. The cheaper ones will not translate proper body movement of hips and torso. Consequently, your entire body can take on a misalignment, which can lead to some VERY serious problems of gait, digestion, reproductive organs and back, etc.
I have lost lower leg calf muscle by wearing my A.F.O. full time for 3 years. Occasionally, I even wear it to bed; cramps do me in and wake me up in great pain. It's a little rough of the wife, but she understands.
The shrinkage of muscles of the leg is a condition I can except, and is, in the long run, better than a gait /torso/back muscle misalignment. Believe me on this subject,
I take 3600 mg of gabapetin and the max dose of nortripalyn as I have L4-L5 nerve involvement from CIDP which caused the left foot, foot drop.
Swimming laps at the Upcountry Maui pool is heaven in many ways. Eighteen months of swimming, of up to 50 per day, has exercised these atrophying muscles from completely withering away to nothing... I hope.
Swim, honey, swim
Thank you for this Estaban ! I have been wearing AFO's for 8 years and just got the padded night ones, that are wonderful. I am taking your advice and I will start swimming....thank you, I needed to hear just that, more than you will know. XO
estaban said:
I have a foot drop. I wear a custom A.F.O. and I HIGHLY recommend you wear one. The cheaper ones will not translate the proper natural body movement of hips and torso. Consequently, your entire body can take on a misalignment, which can lead to some VERY serious problems of gait, digestion, reproductive organs and back, etc.
I have lost lower leg calf muscle by wearing my A.F.O. full time for 3 years. Occasionally, I even wear it to bed; cramps do me in and wake me up in great pain. I's a little rough of the wife but she understands.
The shrinkage of muscles of the leg is a condition I can except, and is, in the long run, better than a gait /torso/back muscle misalignment. Believe me on this subject,
I take 3600 mg of gabapetin and the max dose of nortripalyn as I have L4-L5 nerve involvement from CIDP.
Swimming laps at the Upcountry Maui pool is heaven in many ways, and 18 months of swimming, up to 50 per day,will exercised these atrophied muscles from completely withering to nothing... I hope.
Swim, honey, swim
ndolich— thanks for posting pictures! I tried 2-3 different types of A.F.O. and discovered that some styles didn't fit my left foot's bone structure; caused pain and blistering. The one pictured I tried. It cut into my outer foot bones.
I now have a custom fitted AFO that encloses my my heel, the back of my foot, and the front of my upper calf. This extension to the upper calf remedies my knee that was weakening, and also many gait and hip muscles problems caused by a brace that I purchased on line for less than $50... which was a big mistake!!!
My custom brace cost $1300, but through my insurer I purchased it for $250. As soon as I put it on, walked a short distance, I knew my leg, hip and gait problems would resolve. And, they did! Spend the money to get a custom AFO!
The only problem is that it is black plastic and looks like something Darth Vader would wear. I wear swim trunks all the time, or shorts and often I'm asked if I've lost my leg. It's a great conversation starter when I kid round and say I have, lol.
mdolich said:
Hi Kristin, I agree with Estaban. Get a custom fitted pair of AFO's, it makes all the difference in the world. Here are a couple of pictures of mine. I get mine through the VA seeing that they take care of my medical needs.
Good Luck, ""Stay Strong and keep a Positive Attitude""
Hi Kristin. Sorry about your ankle, but in my opinion the ortho is not doing the right thing. The boot is heavy and puts a strain on your already weak muscles and stretches them which makes you weaker. If you need to stay off the leg, just use a little scooter temporarily or have your AFO's enhanced in some way to deal with this set back.
Best of luck with it!
I've broken my left foot 3 times and ankle once by tripping. A boot is not the way to go...
Thank you for this! I have been feeling that this is not the way to go!!! I really appreciate this, thank you!!!
Romco said:
Hi Kristin. Sorry about your ankle, but in my opinion the ortho is not doing the right thing. The boot is heavy and puts a strain on your already weak muscles and stretches them which makes you weaker. If you need to stay off the leg, just use a little scooter temporarily or have your AFO's enhanced in some way to deal with this set back.
Best of luck with it!
I've broken my left foot 3 times and ankle once by tripping. A boot is not the way to go...