Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Support Group

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, also known as Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN) or Peroneal Muscular Atrophy, is a heterogeneous inherited disorder of nerves (neuropathy) that is characterized by loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation, predominantly in the feet and legs but also in the hands and arms in the advanced stages of disease.

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Genetic & Metabolic
/ Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Support Group

AFO's/ Foot Braces

meeraM
meeraM
Hi, just wanting some feedback, comments on AFO / braces. My podiatrist is getting some from the USA(i'm in Australia) and they are meant to be quite good with a little flexibility. I have always been hesitant to wear them as i think my feet will become lazy??? Does anyone have them and are they useful or have they made walking without them now worse??
thanks for your comments.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I had AFO's they made my feet a whole lot worse than they were. They ruined my walking and left major callouses all over my feet. Then I had surgery, got new ones, and they made me fall right over (litterally, I couldn't stand). After my second and third surgeries they did help the transitions between casts and walking. (The dr wants me wearing them at nights but sleep walking has me pulling them off or won't let me sleep cause I can't turn or whatever).

The biggest worry is if your feet sweat. You need to let your feet breathe, or else the skin may start to break down and any cut/scratch you may get on your foot is easily infected inside a plastic brace. Sorry if my advice is brutal, but that was my experience with them...and think you deserve to know the pro's and con's...things doctors' won't say to you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
hi meerah i was given braces a year ago and was hestitant to wear them - i guess i've always been in denial of whats wrong with me but am now at the stage where i can't hide from it any more.Just started wearing my braces as i have lost a couple of toes and it has totally transformed how i walk...so keep your chin up there a good thing an really have helped my confidense grow.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth when I was 8. I wore leg braces which made my situation worse. I stopped wearing braces and focused on improving my situation through exercise. I've met a lot of people with CMT and they are often surprised when they see me and see how strong I am how I have coped without braces. I believe that exercise and wellness can minimize the symptoms of CMT. I have written a book called Living with CMT which details the exercise and lifestyle regimen to help improve quality of life.

Read about my lifestyle regimen
http://www.lowimpactfitnesstrainin...
click on my story - living with CMT

Info about the Living with CMT Book
http://www.lowimpactfitnesstrainin...

http://www.amazon.com/Living-CMT-M...
Posted on 12/04/08, 11:12 pm
deleted_user
deleted_user
yes your lower part of your leg will get to where it has less strenght but on the other side you will be able to walk better and wont have as many falls.. now for the strenght in your legs I believe you would better benifit yourself by swimming it is better for you all around.
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