Ankle buckled while wearing AFO brace!

Okay, so now I'm on the freaked out side.

Our new house has a large back yard,...a long driveway that is all uphill, and the back yard is also uphill.  I always wear my AFO outdoors, and my worst fear just got tapped.  I have a carbon fiber AFO brace, and it's extremely rigid.  I was concerned over being over-braced because I've lost so much muscle, my left lower leg (with the foot drop and brace) looks like it belongs to a skinny person.  I have always had very large, muscular calves (think of hikers and mountain biking,...sort of my trade mark, loved my big calves, even being a gal who couldn't wear fashionable boots).

Anyhoo, just now, I went out back, braced up, to walk the dog.  The ground is bumpy...groomed, but bumpy.  As I was walking up, I took a step with my left foot and my ankle rolled!  IN the brace?!  I didn't even think that was possible!

Because of the hills and our house having three floors, I'm doing so much "climbing" in every sense of the word, that frankly, I'm pooped.  My ankles are so sore.  The right one probably because it's not used to so much exercise.  The left one's been weak since the whole foot drop manifestation.  I can't feel the ankle or move the foot at all, (ergo the brace).

But I panicked.  I now feel scared because I realize my new brace (that I'm getting fitted for in 3 weeks) which is more low-profile and more flexible,....may permit me to actually wipe out.  Heck, THIS brace almost let me wipe out.  I feel I've been doing all this braced walking with a false sense of security.  I don't want to get paranoid and let it stop me from regular ADL's....but gosh, I'm really freaked out right now.  I simply cannot afford to take a tumble....if I get hurt, I'm alone in a big yard with no neighbors in sight and no one gets home until around 7pm.

So yeah, I'm in a bit of a freak out mode right now, guys.

Merrida

Imagine a very tall hill....our driveway is steep and goes up half way, then there's our house, with the front yard also being uphill, just like the driveway to get here. And the backyard is uphill and bumpy.

I took him out again tonight and I'm walking, looking down at the ground, taking baby steps, and I feel so silly. Silly because I imagine I'm walking like those geishas in little wooden shoes, and scared because it was a wakeup call that that leg is getting weaker and weaker.

I am scared because I don't know what that will mean, the continued atrophy, the worsening of what's already a lack of any ankle stability. I never thought with this heavy brace on that my ankle could still roll. I felt like I was doing so well, too.


Merrida

We chose this house because we fell in love with it and it's perfect. Also, my perception is that while I am currently "in recovery" working on my hip and back, the time will come when they are sufficiently resolved where this won't be such an issue.

We weren't going to forego this beautiful home in a lovely location because I just had surgery. I look forward to the time, (and it will come) when I can not only walk in our yard and up and down the stairs, but return to hiking, climbing, and biking.

I'm still moving forward, I'm just taking smaller steps than I planned on.

And no worries, I don't find your question even remotely judgmental. I think it's a perfectly logical and reasonable thing to ask. And I thank you for doing so.


Merrida

So sorry to hear what's happened. What sort of AFO do you have? Is it something that's been fitted 'off the shelf' or fully customised for your foot and leg (i.e. with a cast and mould taken)? I'm not sure if such things are possible with foot drop (I have kind of the opposite problem - I have dystonia and contractures of my feet and ankles) but my orthotist (going back a few years now) was able to come up with a dynamic AFO with a wee hinge at the ankle joint because I kept twisting out of a rigid brace. He also felt that this would help me to use my leg more normally.

Take care of yourself

Laira

I have seen a brace like Laura is talking about. Its hinged St the ankle and foot to prevent what happened from happening.

My knee brace is pretty much made with the same concept, my biggest problem with the broken hardware is the knee has a tendency to just bucklle and I was falling a lot. The hinge is made to actually lock when the brace has so much of a twisting like pressure applied to it. I forget the name they use to describe the motion.

Have you considered "lifeline " or one of those services? If nothing else take your phone with you whenever you go out and at least you can call for help.

Thank you guys for listening and for your suggestions.

I think getting the LifeLine (?brand?) monitor to wear around my neck would be wise. My MIL has it and once again, like with the Disability, my ego got in the way. But I think it's about time.

As for the brace, YEP! I see my orthotist in 3 weeks for a custom hinged AFO brace. I was thinking the same thing when I saw her last time. My current brace I was not cast for. (Different orthotist did this one), because the foot drop was so severe he wanted the strongest brace, & well, that's what he had, it cannot be shortened. My new one can be molded to fit me exactly and shortened.

I have to get in the habit of bringing my phone with me. I do most of the time, but I know, it'll be one of those times I don't when *splat* -- something will happen.

I think my ankle twisted because it won't let me heel strike and roll when walking up foot, it's locked in a rigid 90 degree state so I end up having to "stomp" that foot down.

I am going on the presumption that just like my first hip replacement, this one will heal, and I'm choosing to believe that given all of the improvement I've had with my back surgery, that I'll get more recovery, (maybe not full, but better),...he said to give it two years...I'm not even close.

I didn't think that super strong rigid AFO would "allow" my ankle with the foot drop to even roll. I thought it would've locked it in place, so I'm baffled, nervous, and yes, extra cautious.

I still get stuck, like on the floor (thus my panic about my stim unit always falling off)....No proprioception really blows.

Thank you all for letting me have a space to freak out.


Merrida

EDIT:  The subject of stairs already came up before we finalized purchase on this house.  Hubby was the one who brought it up, not me, and he said if it really comes to it, if I love the house this much, then no questions, we will install those "riding chairs" that you sit on and carry you up and down the stairs.  So he/we gave it consideration...but it's an extremely valid concern and question.

Post Edited (Merrida) : 9/5/2013 9:07:36 AM (GMT-6)

I would get a walking stick if I were you. It helps with balance and all the cool walkers use them hehe. It just gives me more peace of mind to use a walking stick and helps stabilize my core a bit better so I don't feel so unsteady. I'm not sure if you have tried one yet so if you have then disregard this message as it will self destruct in 10...9... well you understand.