Thoughts on AFOs...

[funnylegs4]

Just some thoughts...

I found 2 pictures of myself when I was younger. One with me wearing AFOs and one without. You can tell by the pictures that the AFOs weren't helping my hypertonia in my legs(that's what I had been told they were for). I had the exact same amount of tension in both legs in both pictures. I think all the AFOs did was give me a little extra balance which is great but as I got older and did PT without shoes on I gained the muscle strength required to not have to use the AFOs for balance. I would say doing PT barefoot really benefitted me. Of course this is only my opinion and experience.

[andromeda31]

interesting...for Caitlin, her feet actually turn out quite severely so the afo's force them into the correct position. the more she wears them the more those muscles relax about being in the proper position. I can always tell when she doesn't wear them as much, her feet turn out more and seem tighter. She hates her afo's, but at least this newest set we have is helping more, she hates them a little less than the last few pairs! btw, new ones have a hinge in the ankle so not as constricting for her...

Lisa O.

[jul97]

Hated my AFOs. Hated the year I wore em to school. Do not feel it/they helped at all. I wish my parents spent the money they spent on afo's(they weren't covered completely by insurance) on a SAT tutor for me to get me into my 1st pick college or on a go-cart to start working on driving in my early teens cause I really wanted to be able to get my license @ 17! Of course so do not blame my folks-hindsight! Oh yeah ground reaction afo's were the worst, never could get em adjusted so they didn't hurt, impaired my balance more than it already was and led to an awful fall @ school..

Just my story-I am sure everyone's different.. Every person who reach's adulthood has something they're like oh gawd that was so hideous and awkward I hope those pics never resurface-cringe...For me that's AFO's...

[mg12061]

My daughter wears an AFO on the right and a KAFO on the left. for her it's primarly to prevent damage. she hyperextends her knees and her feet both turn inward and she gets botox in her left ankle so the braces keep the feet ankle(keep them stretched) and knee in a better position. She will not leave the house without them but never wears them in the house.
Mary Grace3