Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy afo or kafo?

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy afo or kafo?

Daniela Wells

4/1/2014

Hello,


I am a patient not a practitioner and would like to know who
has experience treating patients with Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. I
am wondering what the best option is: AFO or KAFO (stance control or not)?


Also would like to hear about an afo or device that I can
wear around the house barefoot and to swim. Heard of silicone afos, would they
work on right foot drop and to wear without shoes?


People with FSH MD have not only some weak muscles in the
face and upper arms/shoulder but also in the following muscles: tibialis
anterior, adductor, illiopsoas, quadriceps, some affect the hamstrings, feet
drop, weak abdomen muscles result in lumbar lordosis, chronic pain.
In my specific case:-
General weakness in legs (quads are very weak in
both legs)-
Weak plan plantar flexor and dorsiflexion. Foot
drop in my right foot-
Pain in knee, back and sometimes right ankle and
hip as I elevate hip to walk so the foot does clear the floor.-
Hard to stand up for too long as both knees are
hyperextended-
At home don’t walk with afo nor any devise, but
touch walls and or furniture to prevent fall-
Able to do all housework, cook, clean, laundry
(usually without the afo – barefoot in most cases)













-
Need to hold to a shopping cart to walk in
stores


Thanks in advance and will look forward to hear what kind of
device is helping and improving safety and more balanced walk in this group of patients.


Dani