Currently in battery powered wheelchair, have a walker also but afraid to use since I live alone. The reason for my fear is my left knee will buckle or collapse without warning, if I fall I don't have the strength in left arm to lift self off ground and I live alone. so what I did is purchase a knee immobilizer brace so I could hobble around the house without fear of falling in my walker, and eventually walk without assistance. has anyone used a knee immobilizer and how was your experience in using one? especially while walking? really excited about walking again and expect delivery of knee immobilizer brace by 08/26/2016.
no, the only brace I received during my stay in hospital was for my left ankle, and that wasn't very useful. don't have any confidence in my healthcare professionals, I have taken over in my own physical therapy and recovery. link below to brace purchased:http://www.braceshop.com/ossur-exoform-knee-immobilizer.htm
Post by kilg0retr0ut on Aug 22, 2016 17:29:45 GMT -8
I needed the AFO's to get correct gait and conserve energy. My ankles were to weak, the knee brace wouldn't have worked. It looks like a very slick rig though.
tried brace today and it definitely helps in confidence and keeping my knee straight when walking with walker. just is very difficult to put on in the right location with limited mobility and only one hand that is strong. will continue to use daily even if it takes an hour to put on correctly.
the knee immobilizer works great but it makes my whole body especially my shoulders and arm work really hard when walking in my walker, need to continue to rebuild muscle and strength for a period of time to be able to walk without pain.
the knee immobilizer works great but it makes my whole body especially my shoulders and arm work really hard when walking in my walker, need to continue to rebuild muscle and strength for a period of time to be able to walk without pain.
Oh yeah I can imagine how much extra work your arms and shoulders have to do but once they get stronger you'll be doing great! Do you do any physiotherapy or exersize to help strengthen upper body muscles?
just household chores like laundry, cooking, and using arms to help myself standup from wheelchair 3 to 6 times per day, start pt next Wednesday at new facility.
just household chores like laundry, cooking, and using arms to help myself standup from wheelchair 3 to 6 times per day, start pt next Wednesday at new facility.
Ok that's quite good still, I'd say you're active and starting PT on top of all that will be excellent!
thanks for asking keithbruce. doing well. in pt working on upper body strength meaning shoulders and upper arms, able to stand on my own for a short period of time, left knee is getting stronger so haven't used knee immobilizer for a while. have the urge to walk on own, just fearful by myself at home to do. it will happen soon, guessing 1 to 3 months.