Charcot Marie Tooth

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AFO (splints) have arrived!

Posted at 10:40 PM on July 04, 2009

OK, so my new AFOs arrived on Wednesday and they fit on my feet perfectly. They also fit in my shoes perfectly but I can?t get my damned feet and AFOs IN my shoes at the SAME time!

 

I got so frustrated I cried.  sad

 

The problem is that I can?t get my foot round the ?bend? (which is why I can?t wear wellies either!).  My foot just won't fit round the bend and my big toes and other toes get "stuck" on the insole of my shoe as my toes aren't mobile at all. 

 

I have tried putting my AFOs on my foot and then my shoe on and I?ve also tried putting my AFO in my shoe and putting my foot in.

 

I was so looking forward to getting them and I thought my existing shoes would be fine with them as the are Cosyfeet extra wide and extra deep ones that are supposed to be ideal for AFOs.

 

I even, whilst crying, and causing excruciating pain forced my foot round the bend to see if they were comfy once in but they are not, just too tight.

 

I don?t think it?s a problem with the AFOs cos they fit my feet perfectly (I know I won?t know if they are right until I?ve walked in them etc... ). I think it is a problem with my shoes no opening up enough towards the toe area.

 

I'm trying to find some more suitable shoes but I just don't know where to start (and I really don?t want to succumb to hospital made shoes again ).  I have been fighting for these AFOs for a year and a half now and I really need them.  They will make my life so much easier for me.

Categories: Footwear / Bracing, CMT, Other

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4 Comments

Reply Tony akaTommo..
12:17 PM on July 06, 2009
Hi Sam.... Have you tried trainers or trainer boots.. ie Nike Air.. I find these great with AFO's.... mind you I can't cope with anything with a heal so they are perfect with ankle support too..
I have a femail friend who has MS and wears a AFO.. she has some really funky ladies Nike trainers... I can find out where she got them if you want...
Reply Sam
06:36 PM on July 06, 2009
Hey Tony, my feet are a ridiculously wide 6 EEEE (standard is B!). I can't even fit my feet in regular trainers even the wider brands (Nike or New Balance) without going up TWO sizes. I can then JUST fit my feet in and would have to go up another 1 or 2 to fit an AFO in too. So my foot is a 6 and I'd have to wear a 9 or a 10 to fit an AFO. That is just too much extra length! I can wear a size 7 comfortably in Cosyfeet shoes but that is without AFOs. I have the added problem that I can't get my foot round the "bend" that is created by the AFO so that rules out ANY shoe / boot that doesn't open up right down to the start of my toes.
Reply Kathleen
03:50 PM on July 29, 2009
Sam,
I've been wearing AFOs for several years, now. Shoes that work are those that have removable insoles. Right now I'm wearing sandals (not great foot support, I grant you) by Naot (an Israeli manufacturer). They also make some lovely shoes. Try also to find brands such as Mephistopholes (I think) or Red Wing. I also wear Crocs or Dawgs and I find that New Balance makes a good trainer. Good luck. I had sooo much more energy when I finally got my AFOs because I was relieved of the fear of falling.
Reply SAM
03:59 PM on July 29, 2009
Hi Kathleen, Thanks for your comments, people reading may find it useful. As I said, my problem is VERY wide feet. New Balance trainers fit me IF I go up 2 sizes but then still don't fit me with AFOs added in...

I currently have a pair of COSYFEET shoes which are extra wide and extra deep, designed for AFOs so they say, but my feet and AFOs won't fit in them at the same time... AND that is with the 2 insoles in each shoe removed for even more depth. I can just get AFO and foot into Crocs now but this is not ideal.... the search continues!!!