rmar
New Member
Posts: 23
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Post by rmar on Feb 29, 2020 15:43:28 GMT
Does anyone know why, in the US, all of the metal on Polio leg braces had a bright shine? This is what always drew my attention to them and, I think, led to my envy of the people who got to wear those really cool looking "things" on their legs.
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Post by castmenow on Feb 29, 2020 20:38:18 GMT
Were the braces in the US often made from stainless steel or Duralmin, both of which will polish to a mirror shine and look so great. Historic braces in the UK were I think steel, not sure what type / grade but not stainless steel and they were often painted. I had a single KAFO a good number of years ago and that had a sort of crackle silver paint finish. Even if they were aluminium / Duralumin, then applying a quick spar of paint was quicker than polishing them. My old KAFO with painted finish. My current HKAFO polished Duralumin uprights, polished stainless steel stirrups on the heel cups I know which I think looks better and I prefer, and I am with rmar on this, polished.
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rk52
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by rk52 on Mar 1, 2020 0:24:45 GMT
I guess black painted uprights sticking out of one’s trousers would be less noticeable to others which might be important to those who wore of necessity. Personally I like polished ones. VB seem to do nicely polished metalwork. One of mine seems to be coated in a dark plastic but the knee locks are uncovered and polished. Not sure if they’re stainless steel or chrome or nickel plated though.
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Post by rowland on Mar 25, 2020 21:29:57 GMT
i agree with rk52 and rmar. My first KAFO had shiny metal uprights and black thermoplastic shells on thigh and calf. I had already had black plastic AFO's. For my second KAFO I chose beige leather bands at calf and thigh and a matching strap below the knee. The colour was called taupe. I chose a shiny finish on all the metal because to me the leather looked neutral and would go with any clothes and footwear and so would the shiny metal. In any case I am not shy about wearing a leg-brace. I am lucky to be able to wear it all the time. In hot weather I wear shorts. I do not wear it at the gym, I use crutches instead. I have said elsewhere that it is rare for people to say anything about my brace. Sometimes a person will ask whether I have had an accident or have got MS or something. I just say I have got a neurological problem. It is only fairly recently that I have been told it is "lumbar plexopathy" but I avoid saying that; it is too technical, too specific. "Neurological" is quite a good cover-word. I am not disappointed that people don't ask. I consider myself a normal bloke and fortunately fit for my age. But I admit to being vain. I dress casually but thoughtfully, though I like to dress posh on rare formal occasions. What I am getting round to saying is I am vain enough to want flashy shiny steel rather than black paint or plastic.
I am glad I joined this entertaining VB forum. Thanks to everyone, Rowland
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rmar
New Member
Posts: 23
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Post by rmar on Mar 31, 2020 18:36:32 GMT
I've known 2 women in my life who wore a leg brace - both had the polished uprights - one had the regular drop ring knee joint and the other had the bale lock with the loop in the back - and one wore the old time black and white saddle shoe while the other had a brown high top shoe with 3 inch build up. I never got to know them well enough to ask anything about their brace. I would have loved to ask if they got to pick the leather color, go to pick if the uprights were polished - go to pick the type of knee joint. I would have also liked to ask what it was like learning to walk wearing a brace. I did fine out that neither could walk with out crutches if they took the brace off. Oh well - Chances missed !!
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Post by rowland on May 28, 2020 20:34:51 GMT
I was in the garden this afternoon mainly reading and dozing in the sunshine. I had taken off the bottoms of my zip-off trousers. Later clearing up after the evening meal in a room that gets the sunlight I was suddenly attracted by flashing lights around me like the reflection of a watch but bigger. It was the sun catching the shiny metal uprights of my caliper. A beautiful experience! Long live metal leg-braces! And let them be seen!
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