I recently began getting some feeling in my right ankle and I noticed a pain that was not like anywhere else in my CES affected areas. I went to an orthopedic podiatrist. He found that I have a torn tendon in that ankle. Fix is surgery... I talked him into a brace. I'm doing pretty good with the brace and he said when I have more bad days than good, or too much pain, then it will be time for the surgery. Bottom line is that my lack of feeling in my ankles (and rest of the foot area) contributed to rolling and instability in my walking gait which caused this. Left ankle is fine.
As if we with CES need something else to keep us down! I hope that the brace is doing the trick David! Let us know what progress you make with this ankle!
So far so good. I've been using the brace for about a month; occasionally I will feel a twinge, but that's it.
Bottom line is that my lack of feeling in my ankles (and rest of the foot area) contributed to rolling and instability in my walking gait which caused this. Left ankle is fine.
Thanks for sharing this. I think I may have a similar problem, but without sensation I cannot tell and need to get it checked. I am already braced, so hope I have an option other than surgery.
You may be ahead of the game since you're already braced. After about a month, I can tell that the brace is sufficient for my normal daily routine. That includes 1/4 - 1/2 mile of walking and 2 hours of commute driving (but I cheat & use cruise control for most of that time).
I really don't want the recovery from the surgery as it would keep me from using my foot for 3 - 4 weeks. My wife loves me and would normally drive me to/from work, but she is not comfortable driving in the city (Columbus, Ohio), and this would require her driving that trip twice a day (4 hours total). Not to mention double the cost of gas. It just isn't feasible.
kilg0retr0ut I tried wearing a pair of heavy work boots to work on (steel toed), but I found that they were really heavy which made it more difficult on my hips. I went back to my old pair of shoes and added an ankle brace that I can wrap around my ankle which helped. I'm still trying to find a pair of shoes that work well for me while I work since I spend a lot of hours on my feet at work. I have another set of shoes coming and hopefully they fix some of my heel pain.
Thta's how I started out myself. Your from Wisconson so you might recognize the name Baffin. I wore the commerial grade steel toe, about 20# a piece.lol My right hip can feel it. Did the same thing with the ankle brace for awhile, but the fatique was slowing me down, plus I was still turning over my weak ankle. I tried ice fishing the year I was in injured, I found it interesting that no matter how hard I tried two dig into the snow my toes pointed skyward. My first AFO's were white plastic and had straps on the back to stop my ankles from going to far. They came at the right time because the normal aches and pain from walking inproperly were getting pretty uncomfortable. Those braces helped alot, my gait beacame semi-normal I wore those out and they made me some out of carbon fiber, took along time for my body to adjust, but when it did I could almost run. I wore those out too. Broke it at the ankle once, and wore a hole through the heel.
So now I'm back in a pair of Baffins, waiting to see if the new braces can get me back up to speed. There are pics of my AFO's somewhere here, I'll see if I can find them.
kilg0retr0ut, I wonder if AFOs are something I should look into. Did you neurologist recommend these or was it another doctor?
Post by kilg0retr0ut on Feb 5, 2014 8:57:10 GMT -8
Yes, then with the opinion of two different pyhsiatrist (most likely spelled wrong) a gait trainer and an orthodist. I't wouldn't hurt to ask the people you working with to see what they think. I really had no choice, as I could only stay upright for short time. I'm not sure I made the right call or not.
AFO is Ankle, Foot Orthotic. KAFO is Knee, Ankle, Foot Orthotic HKAFO is Hip, Knee, Ankle Orthotic
In my opinion any device that helps you retain function or improve quality of life is good. For me I use several different options depending on what I need to get done. After 2 years of fighting to keep walking I decided that a balance of function and pain was needed. My quality of life has improved because of that decision. Anyone who thinks they need to walk at any cost is not only torturing themselves. They are experiencing a lower overall quality of life.
Pain is a major factor in my day to day choices. I choose each device based on pain, then limitations to achieve the functionality I require to accomplish the task at hand.
Totally agree with truwrecks! I was an enthusiastic walker until the bad pressure sores on my feet forced me to use wheelchair more. Then I discovered that I could have far less pain, save energy, and move faster by mixing the two depending on need. Having the right gear is so important! Improperly fitted braces (of any sort) and wheelchair can make matters worse pretty quickly.
cesdavid, So glad these braces are working for you! Driving can be very hard on the ankles and knees, so good that you have option of cruise control. I drive with my hands, so not an issue for me... Driving in Columbus, not fun at all--more power to you!
AFO is Ankle, Foot Orthotic. KAFO is Knee, Ankle, Foot Orthotic HKAFO is Hip, Knee, Ankle Orthotic
In my opinion any device that helps you retain function or improve quality of life is good. For me I use several different options depending on what I need to get done. After 2 years of fighting to keep walking I decided that a balance of function and pain was needed. My quality of life has improved because of that decision. Anyone who thinks they need to walk at any cost is not only torturing themselves. They are experiencing a lower overall quality of life.
Pain is a major factor in my day to day choices. I choose each device based on pain, then limitations to achieve the functionality I require to accomplish the task at hand.
AFO is Ankle, Foot Orthotic. KAFO is Knee, Ankle, Foot Orthotic HKAFO is Hip, Knee, Ankle Orthotic
In my opinion any device that helps you retain function or improve quality of life is good. For me I use several different options depending on what I need to get done. After 2 years of fighting to keep walking I decided that a balance of function and pain was needed. My quality of life has improved because of that decision. Anyone who thinks they need to walk at any cost is not only torturing themselves. They are experiencing a lower overall quality of life.
Pain is a major factor in my day to day choices. I choose each device based on pain, then limitations to achieve the functionality I require to accomplish the task at hand.
I think everyones situation is different. Each ones choices are there own. What decisions you have made and what works for you does not work for everyone.
To be honest i think too much emphasis is put on upright mobility....I believe that we have to maintain a balance with everything..if too much walking is painful then do less. Keep it simple..
There is no doubt that we are fortunate to have upright mobility but nothing is proved by causing yourself more problems or pain by over doing it. Mobility will be preserved for longer if managed wisely.
To be honest i think too much emphasis is put on upright mobility....I believe that we have to maintain a balance with everything..if too much walking is painful then do less. Keep it simple..
There is no doubt that we are fortunate to have upright mobility but nothing is proved by causing yourself more problems or pain by over doing it. Mobility will be preserved for longer if managed wisely.
Very correct Lαrα. Around the house I will use a rollator or wheelchair if I've walked too much during the workday. Of course I try not to walk too much during the day, but it does happen occasionally. I find myself planning my walking time, even if it is to a store. If the store has electric carts for disabled shoppers, I make use of them. Mobility isn't an all or nothing proposition.