Hiya everyone, my name is Andie although I’m listed as AJP. I was diagnosed in 2006 with RRMS, then in 2017 it was deemed to be SPMS. I am awaiting my 5th AFO for what I have been told is foot drop ( I am unable to lift my toes or bend my knee when walking, although by using my hands I can bend my knee in sitting and can do squats to a certain level when standing ) I can move my foot / ankle up and down and can rotate it. However, I walk on a straight leg and tend to hip hitch.People say it doesn’t sound like drop foot, and have I tried any other things, like the foot appliances they have in USA. Orthotists have given me 2 splints which were exactly the same, I’ve had one which went inside the heel of my trainer ( it broke & I could only wear the same trainers it was fitted into. The last one I had to wait a year for, it’s bespoke, but is heavy, hard to put on & cumbersome. It doesn’t lift my toes at all. None of them are hinged at the ankle, they are all rigid. I have requested a review which I have in about 10 days. I have tried a FESS years ago but the shock happened when my foot was on the floor thus not allowing it to stimulate my knee and life my foot off the floor. I have been using a wheelchair for just over a year, & wondered if anyone has had similar problems, can recommend anything or give me any ideas? TYIA Andie
I am not a fan of traditional splints, as they don’t tend to allow the foot to flex and the muscles just waste, which isn’t very helpful. Getting a physio to identify areas of muscle weakness and suggest a progamme of strengthening exercises might be worth trying.
A FES in the usual position is only supposed to lift foot but placing the positive electrode behind the knee can help initiate a bend. Also, a dual channel device can help stimulate other muscle groups, so probably worth being assessed again to see if anything else can help.
Treatment Options | Odstock Medical
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Thankyou for your advice. It’s really appreciated 
