Question:
Hey yall,
My daughter had the cast on for about 4 weeks and they removed it Monday. And her walking with and without the cast is heartbreaking for me to watch because she complains about her ankle hurting and tries not to put any pressure on it while she walks. She still walks like she did the day they removed the cast... her foot turned outward and almost dragging it. She can't even run anymore. Is this supposed to be a normal part of adapting to an AFO?
I'm having a hard time understanding why this cast/AFO business is making her walk strange. I know its only been a few days since she got the AFO but I dont understand why its hurting her when the cast she wore for a month was positioned in the same way. She never had any problems with the cast other than a couple of toe blisters.
It just seems like its making the situation worse. Before, her walking wasnt all that bad so why fix it when it isn't broke.
I will keep her using her AFO... but I will be talking to her pt, ot, and Shriner dr next week to see what's up with this.
Thanks for all of your helpful replies,
Melissa
Answer:
Her ankle is probably very weak from being in the casts for four weeks. I has long-leg casts on for 3 weeks and when they took the cast off I had lost most of my muscle mass. In addition to that I had my lower legs casted for nine weeks and when I came out of those casts my ankles could not support me, they were that weak. It might take a while for her strength to return. Honestly though, I don't understand why they had her in a cast for no reason. It seems to have caused more harm than good.
Answer:
Hey skigirl,
I've been wondering if she really needs the AFO. I know her right leg is spastic but will it get any worse if she doesnt wear an AFO? I've been trying to contact her pt and the shriner dr but all I've gotten is recordings.
I wonder if this is reversible... you know if she stops wearing the AFO altogether, will she go back to walking the way she did before? If it is reversible I'd rather her not wear an AFO.
Honestly, I have doubts about that dr. Sometimes I feel that dr's may do things as sort of a "protocol" instead of thinking about personel situations. Those Shriners drs see lots of patients and I wonder if they get caught up in routine procedures and forget to think about what's best the individual kid.
Answer:
Hello OrbOfConfusion,
I've been in AFOs on and off for a long time. When I was around 3-5, I was in the big metal AFOs . And I eventually had 3 different operations when I was that age too. It takes a long time to regain strength. Even recently I had another Achilles lengthening. I've been in an AFO for 6 months, and i walk all over my university's campus, and i still walk a little funny because of the weakness. Some of this is because of the AFO, since it gives some support. But While I'm healing up, doing PT, it makes sure that I'm walking correctly and makes sure that i have some protection.
I'm a college student and walk up to 45 minutes a day, and i still dont have all the strength that I had before, but its a lot better than when I was just out of the cast. At this point my doctor ordered me a DAFO to wear for 3 more months. This is just to go down a step in support and to give me some protection as well. Since tearing the achilles would be the worst thing that I could do. It takes a while to regain your strength.
Also, is your doctor planning on doing another surgery in a few years?
Answer:
My 4 year old son has been wearing afo's for about 21/2 years, on his 3rd pair, and they are great for him. They help to strretch his muscles and he has been able to stand now. As for shoes, we have just bought inexpensive ones from payless shoe source, famous footware, etc.. we just have to get a wide width. Summer though is a great time to get velcro sandles that slip on easy and tighten easy. Hope this helps.