Charcot Marie Tooth

Well I collected my AFOs on 1st July and I wrote about the problems I?m having with finding shoes that they will fit in (in my previous blog entry on 4th July).

Since then, I have discovered that my AFOs fit in Crocs! Though not ideal obviously (as Crocs don't support my feet well enough and allow my ankles to turn too easily) they are a more than adequate temporary measure until my continuing search for shoes continues! Anything is better than nothing at the moment so at least I can wear them to find out if any adjustments need doing.

I have been wearing them in my Crocs for an every increasing time every day (started with half an hour) and wore them at work on Friday for 5 hours before I had to take them off after lunch time.

They do need some adjustments. They catch my left ankle and also rub and dig in under the ball of my right foot. Also, the ankle strap could do with attaching higher up and the wedge on the outside of the heel (put there so that my foot doesn't turn out) could do with being higher).

I am due back to the the orthotist at the end of the month but could do with setting the ball rolling for the adjustements sooner rather than later. I am reluctant though to risk seeing someone other than my usual orthotist as she is really really good. The guys I have seen previously have just not helped at all, despite going to see them 4 or 5 times for adjustments.

When I wore them on Friday, I also drove to work in them and although they take getting used to were surprisingly easy to drive in.

I can't wait to get them sorted properly. I envisage wearing them all day at work eventually. I do not feel as fatigued and even though I wore them for just half the day on Friday I still had some energy left when I got home, which I don't usually have. They really help with walking, I don?t feel like my knees are sagging and standing still is just totally different with them on! Usually when I stand still, my knees start to buckle very quickly and I start to sway, I can't stay with my feet in one place and usually end up stepping back and forth trying desparately to keep my balance! With my AFOs on I have been able to stand completely still, my knees don't feel as weak and I don?t sway..

So here they are! (with me in them!..)