bruce
New Member
Posts: 17
Interests: KAFO, AFO
Leg braced ladies.
Ladies in W/C with leg braces
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Post by bruce on Feb 25, 2021 22:57:24 GMT
Yes they are to prevent foot drop and they were fitted to the ortho boots by the supplier at the time I ordered them, I wanted to see what it was like with the extra restriction. I have to be careful because I could easily bend them backwards. There is something good about sitting in a chair with my lower legs angled and my heels on the floor with my feet fixed with my toes in the air, unable to rest them flat on the floor. They do make things slightly more difficult to get around with in the KAFOs and much more so in the HKAFO. Great photo. The "stops" built into the shoes are very plain to see. It prevents drop-foot. Bruce
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Post by rowland on Mar 23, 2021 17:41:17 GMT
Yes they are to prevent foot drop and they were fitted to the ortho boots by the supplier at the time I ordered them, I wanted to see what it was like with the extra restriction. I have to be careful because I could easily bend them backwards. There is something good about sitting in a chair with my lower legs angled and my heels on the floor with my feet fixed with my toes in the air, unable to rest them flat on the floor. They do make things slightly more difficult to get around with in the KAFOs and much more so in the HKAFO. Thanks for a clear description of backstops and their function. I have had a caliper with round sockets but no backstops in spite of foot drop. My present caliper has flat sockets and is also jointed at the ankle. This arrangement is meant to deal with footdrop but I am finding that my sole catches the ground. The toe does not catch, so I do not trip up but I need either a slight increase in the buildup on my other boot or round sockets with backstops.
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Post by rowland on May 3, 2021 17:20:20 GMT
I had a test drive out in my car with both KAFOs on, it is an automatic, which is less common here in the UK and I could manage OK, but it was only a short test drive. I had to got a second pair of shoes adapted with sockets for driving because my ortho boots have backstops on so I could not move my ankles down to work the pedals. There is no way I would try and drive with the full HKAFO on though, that really would mess up moving feet between pedals. I have been out with left leg KAFO only which presents no problem other than the twist and turn to get in and out of the car. I have a right leg AFO I can wear if I want to have both legs in braces when driving as this provides less restriction to side to side movement between brake and throttle pedals. Thanks for this post and for other posts on this theme. As I thought, having backstops (to prevent footdrop) would mean I could not drive. Last week I saw a physio who worked out that my footdrop is more of a foot-pushdown. So I would have to choose between driving and walking. When you walk in boots with backstops, do they change the way you walk? Would you be safer/more comfortable with crutches when wearing boots with backstops? In a month or so I will get an appointment with the orthotist, so I need to prepare myself as well as I can. The new KAFO will have an ischial ring. I am fed up with looking for relevant pictures and would appreciate comments re "How does it feel? and "How does it work?"
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Post by castmenow on May 3, 2021 18:05:56 GMT
Regarding walking with backstops in my KAFOs, please be aware these are comments from someone without any leg problems. The backstops do not stop me walking but make my gait more awkward and disabled looking. When taking a step forward, the foot on the ground can not extend the ankle to lift the body up to provide clearance for the leg swinging forward. Therefore, I have to tilt my hips to allow the free leg to swing through. This causes the more ungainly gait and also reduces the length of steps that can be taken. I can still manage OK without crutches.
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Post by rowland on May 4, 2021 17:40:12 GMT
Thanks. The alternative would be to increase the raise on my left boot to achieve clearance on the right. The physio agrees that I need an AFO on the left leg because my foot is catching the ground or kicking it. I have unstable ankles and am careful not to let my left foot tip over. My right foot is supported by my KAFO.) I reckon a metal and leather AFO would meet the need and a T-strap to hold my ankle in should help. All ideas welcome.
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Post by JayBee on May 10, 2021 11:26:41 GMT
Nice to see where this thread, which I started, has gone. Re driving, I acquired portable hand controls through Ebay. They weren't too expensive (the price dropped by about half just as I started looking). But they only work with auto. Also have a spinner on the steering wheel for driving one-handed. Very useful in shopping centre car parks when I'm in able-bodied mode. Only downside is that my car's accelerator pedal doesn't have a flat back. I've learned how to make that clamp secure.
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