Hi Laura,

      I remember talking to you before about the AFO's.  I am going to see my Primary Care Doctor next week and I am going to mention AFO's to him. I will also look up some info and take it to him. I am fortunate to have a very cooperative doctor and he is willing to disuss anything that I  may think will help me.  He will refer me to an orthopedic I am sure.

I was in the medical field 40 years so I can talk his lingo and he never talks down to me about any suggestions I have. I am going to tell him about you and how AFO's have  helped you.

I will let you know what he has to say.

I also am going to take to heart the things you have mentioned that you do to help yourself. 

Love you girl.

Flo

Hi Bob, welcome to the group and thank you for sharing your story. 

     Thank you also to Flo for sharing her story.  She's one determined lady.

     Bob, I applaud you for not letting your condition slow you down.  I was  told when I ws 50 and noticed my feet were numb all the time, that my NP was heriditary and there was nothing that could be done to slow the deterioration.  But I did learn that were things I could for myself that would slow that deterioration and enable me to lead my own slightly modified life adventures. Here's my advice borne of experience.

     Maintaining a very healthy immune system is most important. As a pharmacist, I'm sure you can appreciate the value of taking anti-oxidant vitamins. I take the highest recommended doses. I also eat foods that contain nutrients known to strengthen the nervous system.

     But for me, nothing works better than exercise - keep moving.  Because I still work a full-time job, and now have balance problems, my ortho doc perscribed for me ankle-foot orthotics (AFO's). They gave me back my mobility.  My particular model are made by Allard, they're called Toe-Ins. It's a carbon composite foot plate that fits easily under the footbed of my shoes with a shank that rests against shin and is held in place by velcro straps.  My balance problem is minimal and my legs don't fatigue as easily. Then I bought a pair of hiking sticks at a local sporting goods store.  I extend them to a moderate length like cross country ski poles when I'm walking outdoors and use one at a shorter height when I'm going somewhere that will require me to stop for periods of time, such as a gallery viewing or standing in line for a movie.

     At home, I go barefoot because I need to neural stimulation on the bottom of my feet.  When I read or watch a movie my legs are outstretched and I'm constantly wiggling my toes, rolling my ankles and squeezing my leg muscles.  The muscles need to be kept active since, without the neural stimulation, they will atrophy, and at our ages it is very difficult to regain muscle strength.

     About a year ago, I became aware of the strain my lack of strength in my lower limbs was putting on the rest of my body to simply maintain balance.  So I bought a Balance Ball and a small indoor trampoline with a balance bar.  I now use the balance ball as my chair - great for keeping the spine in alignment, and I do a few walking exercises on the trampoline every morning.

     Please keep us informed of your progress and we would love to hear of any new aides or enhancements that are making a positive change in your life.

Enjoy the day,

Laura

OH YES BOB,  I CAN RELATE TO YOUR PROBLEM. UNTIL READING YOUR STORY I THOUGHT IT WAS IN MY IMAGINATION OR I WAS LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY.  I HAD TOTAL LEAT KNEE REPLACEMENT LAST OCT.  I GOT MRSA IN THE SURGICAL SITE.   HAD TO GO BACK TO THE HOSPITAL FOR 3 MORE WEEKS OF WHICH I WAS ON STRONG ANTIBIOTICS IV. WENT HOME WITH A PIC LINE IN MY ARM AND MY DAUGHTER HAD TO GIVE ME IV ANTIBIOTICS EVERY DAY FOR ANOTHER 3 WEEKS.

  I HAVE GREAT WEAKNESS IN MY LEGS WITH DIFFICULTY EVEN GETTING UP OUT OF A CHAIR. SAME TROUBLE YOU MENTIONED. I AM UNABLE TO WALK ANY DISTANCE OR EVEN STAND LONGER THAN A COUPLE OF MIN AND THEN I MUST SIT DOWN OR FALL DOWN.  I HAVE A WALKER WITH A SEAT ON IT SO I CAN SIT WHEN NEEDED. I CALL IT    "HAVE WALKER WILL TRAVEL".   

I DID ALSO HAVE BACK SURGERY 5 MONTHS BEFORE THE KNEE SURGERY.  THAT SURGERY DID NOT IMPROVE MY SPINAL STENOSIS PROBLEM. SPINAL STENOSIS ALSO CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH WALKING AND I HAVE PARKINSONS DISEASE.  THAT ADDS UP TO 3 WALKING PROBLEMS.  I DO STILL DRIVE MY CAR IT'S AUTOMATIC.

I HOPE THINGS WILL GET BETTER FOR BOTH OF US.

FLORENCE