Hi. Does anyone on here wear an Orthotic? In my case its worn to stop my affected foot from turning over. How do you know whether you can safely walk without wearing the Orthotic? The only shoes I can wear while using the Orthotic are trainers and I have a wardrobe of sandals for hot weather!!! Maybe we have to wear the Orthotic for ever?
The only way to know if you walk safely without your orthotic is to give it a try. Somewhere safe to avoid falls. I found my orthotic, at times, caused more problems than it solved so I am selective about when I wear it. Over time I would think your brain should learn not to keep turning your foot over. May be worth having a chat with your GP about it. I live in trainers these days. Have just bought some sandals for a wedding in a couple of weeks and am just hoping that i will be fine wearing them.
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Fingers crossed Ann. Im trying walking or rather hobbling around the house without it but I wouldn’t dare try walking outside! Oh well yet another problem to try to overcome!!! Thanks x
Hello there. Turning over in which Way? Do your toes snag on the floor? Or are we talking about inversion or eversion? As far as orthotics go I think it’s about 50/50 as to whether they help or not. Plenty of people get fed up with them and ditch them because limiting movement or taking freedom of movement away is not always a plus
Hi. Thanks for replying. Its my stroke affected left foot that rolls over to the left or did before the Orthotic. Just worry about it doing exactly that with the possibility of falling.
Does yourfoot roll over when you try walking without around the house? If not I think you might just need to keep practising and build up some confidence. I found my orthotic helped a little bit but it gave me a stiff ankle which caused other issues.
Quite honestly I think its more I am worried about it turning over and falling although it does seem a bit unstable. Will have to keep trying around the house. The Orthotic is a pain in that it is impossible for me to put on as there is a connection at the back that I just cant see or reach so my husband has to do it for me.
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If you could get to a point of not having to wear it it sounds like it would be much easier for you. Sounds like it is complicated to put on. Mine is fairly easy to put on which I am grateful for else I don’t think I would bother.
Its just the fastening at the back that is impossible to reach. Luckily my husband does it for me. Good luck with the sandals at the wedding. Ive been out to lunch in a summer dress with this “thing” adorning my leg. Its a great look!!! Going to take it off now Im home and creep around the house without it!
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Hope you had a lovely lunch. One thing I have realised since my stroke is that there are many people wearing all sorts of different orthotics, braces etc. I think we are very self conscious of them but others don’t take a great deal of notice. although I am sure in heat like we have today it probably feels a bit yuck.
I quite agree Ann but somehow its not quite the same if its your foot sticking out with a load of velcro round it!!! No I wouldn’t take any notice of anyone else wearing one! Vanity!
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Yes @Apple i was in huge air boots during the heat wave but a week ago got custom orthotics from my local hospital and because they are lighter and easier for my legs to manoeuvre I walked for the first time in 5 years a few days ago.
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When I first had mine I was told I’d probably wear it for life and I can see if I hadn’t got the FES (functional Electrical Stimulator)that has strengthened my ankle and helped to train my brain a bit to give some dorsiflexion that would definitely have been the case, but I can see that sometime in the distant futureI will be able to walk outside without anything, so that will take a lot more work and could easily be 10 years away.
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