My ankle-foot orthotic brace

Debby Smith

Description

Title:

My ankle-foot orthotic brace

Creator:

Debby Smith

Date:

2/28/2002

Text:

Hello,
I am Debby Smith OAS (Office Asst. Sr.- this means I am not a health care professional, but an everyday, ordinary person with a question.

I wear an AFO on my right leg because I have Multiple Sclerosis and foot-drop. My right side is my weaker side. I have worn my brace for about 3 years. I also drag my feet and can trip on a rug if I'm not careful. I am especially affected when I am very tired. One of my main MS symptoms is ongoing, fluctuating fatigue.

My question is the following: After walking, sometimes only a short distance, my LEFT leg tends to grow more tired than the right. Sometimes the pain, or achiness gets so bad I have a very hard time walking. When this happens it takes lots of rest over a period of 2 or 3 days to get over this. Even when it subsides and I am walking more normally, I can feel the achiness coming on so I know when to stop and rest.

I think this may be an ms symptom, but wonder if it is something to do with the use of the AFO on the other leg, making the left work harder, or something. An explanation in everyday English would be very helpful. Does anyone know about this?

Thank-you
Debby Smith aka: <Email Address Redacted> more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : <URL Redacted>

                          

Citation

Debby Smith, “My ankle-foot orthotic brace,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 25, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/218613.