Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

jeff1967 Member Posts: 147 Post Likes Received: 167 Date Joined: April 2015 Injury: L1-L2 Burst Date Injured: 04/10/1996 Member is: Offline Send PM	PHATBRACES Apr 15, 2015 5:37:54 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by jeff1967 on Apr 15, 2015 5:37:54 GMT -8 link This is me on my motorcycle a few weeks ago while wearing the Phat Braces.
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PHATBRACES Apr 15, 2015 20:22:02 GMT -8

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Post by wavewolf on Apr 15, 2015 20:22:02 GMT -8

Welcome to the forum, sponzinn! You and jeff1967 are doing so well with these braces, really encouraging to see this. kilg0retr0ut, you must be rarin' to go now! Your bike is pretty awesome, jeff1967, and I bet it feels great to ride with confidence again.

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Hoea ra!

jeff1967
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PHATBRACES Apr 16, 2015 5:31:08 GMT -8

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Post by jeff1967 on Apr 16, 2015 5:31:08 GMT -8

I know everyone's situation is different but I can honestly say that these braces have improved my quality of life tremendously. My right leg is about an inch shorter than the left right now and if I would break down and have a lift put on my shoes I would probably be limp free. Now if only the braces would solve the neuro pain and bowel/bladder issues I would be a new man LOL.

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kilg0retr0ut Advanced Member Posts: 2,507 Post Likes Received: 1,862 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: L4/5 Cauda Equina Date Injured: 7-15-10 Member is: Offline Send PM	PHATBRACES Apr 16, 2015 8:04:13 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 16, 2015 8:04:13 GMT -8 That's how I feel about them. I walk well in them. My left ankle rolls some so they may add a wedge to my shoe. So much better than plastic. I can't wait to strap them on again.
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kilg0retr0ut Advanced Member Posts: 2,507 Post Likes Received: 1,862 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: L4/5 Cauda Equina Date Injured: 7-15-10 Member is: Offline Send PM	PHATBRACES Apr 16, 2015 8:25:21 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 16, 2015 8:25:21 GMT -8 I couldn't wait, I just called to check on them. They just got them back this morning and will be sent out Friday. I feel like a giddy little kid. I can't decide which building to jump over first.
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jeff1967 Member Posts: 147 Post Likes Received: 167 Date Joined: April 2015 Injury: L1-L2 Burst Date Injured: 04/10/1996 Member is: Offline Send PM	PHATBRACES Apr 16, 2015 10:13:56 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by jeff1967 on Apr 16, 2015 10:13:56 GMT -8 That's awesome Kilg0retr0ut! We expect to see some videos soon! I will try and get an updated one soon. Would be nice to see if their is any difference from Day 1, 6 months and 1 year.
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wavewolf
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PHATBRACES Apr 16, 2015 15:08:16 GMT -8

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Post by wavewolf on Apr 16, 2015 15:08:16 GMT -8

Apr 16, 2015 5:31:08 GMT -8 jeff1967 said:

I know everyone's situation is different but I can honestly say that these braces have improved my quality of life tremendously. My right leg is about an inch shorter than the left right now and if I would break down and have a lift put on my shoes I would probably be limp free. Now if only the braces would solve the neuro pain and bowel/bladder issues I would be a new man LOL.

If your leg length is that different, it may be exacerbating your neuro pain. Getting a lift is not as easy as it sounds, but would most probably save your back in the long run. B&B--well, if you find that cure shout it out!!!!

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Hoea ra!

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PHATBRACES Apr 16, 2015 15:27:29 GMT -8

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Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 16, 2015 15:27:29 GMT -8

I agree Wavewolf B&B would be huge. I'm lucky and can sorta get things working but there is no consistency. I admire your ability on your bike, It took me many trys just to keep up my pedal bike upright. My problem was stopping.(balance, and keeping my feet on the pedals.)

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jeff1967
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PHATBRACES Apr 17, 2015 5:09:41 GMT -8

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Post by jeff1967 on Apr 17, 2015 5:09:41 GMT -8

Wavewolf, I do have one pair of shoes with a lift on the right shoe. I didn't know and inch looked so BIG! LOL. My wife tells me it is all in my head but I just don't like the look of it. I guess I need to quit worrying about it if it will make me more comfortable and ease the pain. I had no idea it could ease the neuro pain so i may have to give it another try.

My urologist prescribed me Flomax a few months ago because I was having a horrible time with UTI's. The last one got so bad I ended up in the emergency room. Thankfully I have not had any bladder issues since I started the flomax and that was this past October. I haven't used a cath in years and I am now emptying my bladder very well. Just a thought.

Kilg0retr0ut, Thank you! I have the bike lowered and with the center of gravity lower my balance is better sitting on the bike than standing up. As I have gotten older and the legs are weaker I am not as comfortable when riding with the wife. So, instead of leaving her behind I am selling the bike and retiring from riding. We bought us a new travel trailer so me, her and the two fur babies can go together in comfort.

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DJ
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PHATBRACES Apr 17, 2015 5:41:07 GMT -8

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Post by DJ on Apr 17, 2015 5:41:07 GMT -8

Apr 16, 2015 8:25:21 GMT -8 kilg0retr0ut said:

I couldn't wait, I just called to check on them. They just got them back this morning and will be sent out Friday.
I feel like a giddy little kid. I can't decide which building to jump over first.

Awesome kilg0retr0ut!

acrobatinmydreams
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PHATBRACES Apr 18, 2015 10:54:15 GMT -8

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Post by acrobatinmydreams on Apr 18, 2015 10:54:15 GMT -8

I spent many years (19) in plastic. I got phat type made of carbon fiber in 2007. I would NOT and Will NOT accept anything else now. Quality of life, finding shoes, less hip pain, less pressure sores, less skin irritation, and the list goes on and on.

My current ones are cracked but have held up three years verses I only got about a year out of the plastic ones. I told the Hanger rep that I would not accept anything less than carbon fiber. She was going to try but I threatened to go somewhere else if she could not make a "phat" type brace. My new ones will come from the company called "phatbraces". (phatbraces.com)

We will see if they hold up as well as the ones that I got from a smaller brace fabricator in Asheville NC?

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acrobatinmydreams
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PHATBRACES Apr 18, 2015 11:10:07 GMT -8

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Post by acrobatinmydreams on Apr 18, 2015 11:10:07 GMT -8

Also wanted to add.... If you are active meaning you use AFO's daily, you really need carbon fiber. I have had the carbon composite, a nice way to say a "type of plastic" and they chip to the point it is dangerous for someone without feeling to wear. I have foot drop in both feet and have limited function/sensation from the waste down. My hamstrings power my walking as my knees work but below them, I have no function at all. I never used a wheelchair but I ordered my first one last month 26 years after my accident.

New people who are just considering braces. Please don't settle for plastic. Your quality of life will be so much better. However, watch your feet for irritation. Be diligent. My braces are like Jeff's in that they have the carbon fiber going down the back but the footplate is made of an expandable plastic material that gives so it alleviates pressure sores better than other material. I am trying to find my pictures and will post if I can.

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acrobatinmydreams
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PHATBRACES Apr 18, 2015 11:26:35 GMT -8

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Post by acrobatinmydreams on Apr 18, 2015 11:26:35 GMT -8

Apr 14, 2015 8:08:22 GMT -8 jeff1967 said:

Hello everyone! I am the guy in the video that Sponzinn posted. I have had my Phat Braces for 1 year now and have worn them everyday. I cannot say enough about them personally. I have limited feeling/movement from the waist down and these have helped tremendously. This braces are light years ahead of the old white plastic ones that I wore for 18 years. They are pricey and not every insurance will cover them but it was well worth it for me and my quality of life.

I will try and do another video soon and will answer any questions that I can if you have any. Thanks again Sponzinn for introducing me to this forum!

We have the exact same gait. The plastic AFO's ruined my hips because they didn't give at all. My burst was at L1-L2 but I am changing with age. Thanks so much for sharing the video. What company made these? Medicare paid for my current ones and (I am hearing from Hanger who is ordering my new ones from phatbraces.com) may have trouble getting them covered. I think the lack of pressure sores alone is justification for this type of brace over plastic. Only difference in yours and mine are my current ones don't come up as far to the knee as yours and the foot plate is more like a scoop, it does not encompass the whole foot. Does your footplate help with preventing the foot from sliding around in the brace/shoes? Also there is an 1/8 inch difference in heel height between my left and right foot. They are going to try to build up the right to match the left to help with my gait as opposed to adding it to a shoe. Did they suggest this with yours? I had a very bad pressure sore in 1992 and the difference was the result left after surgery.

I think they can be covered with the right documentation and many times DME providers just don't have that knowledge nor take the time to connect the requirements of Medicare with that of the brace. I worked in billing in a hospital and helped the orthotist get my current ones covered for me three years ago.

I cannot tolerate anything touching my lower calf on the inside ankle anymore due to neuropain so that is why I originally went with the "phat" type braces. It has really decreased my pain as with age (and there may be an underlying syrinx at my original injury site too) it had increased to where I could not tolerate it anymore.

I am so thankful that I stopped in here today and saw the video of you actually using the braces. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your experience with them. Sorry this is so long.

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Lαrα Global Moderator STAFF Posts: 7,350 Post Likes Received: 3,100 Date Joined: August 2013 Injury: CES Date Injured: March 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	PHATBRACES Apr 18, 2015 23:45:39 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Lαrα on Apr 18, 2015 23:45:39 GMT -8 Never apologize for long posts acrobatinmydreams,they are both interesting and informative. Thankyou for sharing
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Butiki Advanced Member Posts: 2,270 Post Likes Received: 1,154 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: L 3 ASIA B CES Date Injured: 16/11/2012 Member is: Offline Send PM	PHATBRACES Apr 19, 2015 2:17:55 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Butiki on Apr 19, 2015 2:17:55 GMT -8 Hey kilg0retr0ut or jeff1967, do these Phatbraces have to be made for you like AFO's or are they straight off the shelf?
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PHATBRACES

Post by jeff1967 on Apr 15, 2015 5:37:54 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Apr 15, 2015 20:22:02 GMT -8

Post by jeff1967 on Apr 16, 2015 5:31:08 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 16, 2015 8:04:13 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 16, 2015 8:25:21 GMT -8

Post by jeff1967 on Apr 16, 2015 10:13:56 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Apr 16, 2015 15:08:16 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 16, 2015 15:27:29 GMT -8

Post by jeff1967 on Apr 17, 2015 5:09:41 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Apr 17, 2015 5:41:07 GMT -8

Post by acrobatinmydreams on Apr 18, 2015 10:54:15 GMT -8

Post by acrobatinmydreams on Apr 18, 2015 11:10:07 GMT -8

Post by acrobatinmydreams on Apr 18, 2015 11:26:35 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on Apr 18, 2015 23:45:39 GMT -8

Post by Butiki on Apr 19, 2015 2:17:55 GMT -8

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