AFO's

[kmorris97]

My DS (4) just got his first set of AFO's yesterday. He is starting to walk better in them everytime I see him moving, but he does complain at how uncomforatable they are. How long does it usually take for kids to adjust to them? The orthotics office said to give it 2 weeks before bring him in again.

[KatWrangler]

Are you have him wear them a short period of time each day? It should be a gradual move up in wear time.

How are his feet after you take them off? Any rub marks or bruising?

[kmorris97]

No one told me to introduce them gradually. I have only been having him wear them when we go somewhere. The orthopedic said he shouldn't have a problem with them, since he has been wearing casts for the last 7 weeks. He does get frustrated without them on also, since he can't walk unless they are on. They had serial casts his legs to try to lenghten his Achilles tendon. His right leg is now where it should be, but his left (his side that is affected by his mild CP) is still tight. We are not able to get his heel down were it should be. The orthotics specialist said that it will eventually with wearing the AFO's and PT. I think this may be causing some of his pain.

I don't see any rubbing anywhere, but he does have a few little tender spots from wearing the casts for so long.

[KatWrangler]

They should of told you to have him break them in. Thats what we have always been told and my daughter has worn braces since she was 6 months old. So like on day one he would wear them 2 hours, day two 3 hours and so on.

I have to tell you. Even with braces and PT we still ended up with achilles tendon release surgery on my daughters left foot. It got so bad she was litterally walking on the top of the foot.

This is how bad she got right before surgery.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...4/DSC03063.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...4/DSC03059.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...4/DSC03053.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...4/DSC03043.jpg

[kmorris97]

He is doing much better with his braces. He has been wearing them most of the day while at his preschool, but we have been letting him go without them in the mornings and some in teh evenign. He wears them again while he sleeps.

He was walking on the tips of his toes on his left foot. The doctor said that he was primarily toe walking on his right foot to compensate adn balance himself out.

Thanks everyone for the advise.