Charcot Marie Tooth

My Orthotic Clinic appointment today went really good with just one disappointment.

My shoes were ready, and I can get my AFOs in them easily which is fab! The heels on the shoes need lowering, but we knew this would be the case.

My right AFO was rubbing and pinching under my foot. I was hoping that she would make a new one from scratch as this right foot one (which was made by a different orthotist) has been nothing but hassle and the left one that Tanya my orthotist made from scratch has been really good.

She was reluctant to make from scratch again though.... obviously seeing pound signs and budgets in front of her eyes.... So she has suggested putting an insole inside for now. I have humoured her for now, but I know it is not going to work. I want to show that I am trying her suggestions though. ; )

In addition to the New shoes and the adjustments to my AFOs, I have been given a soft strapping brace for my ankles. These were given to me for in the evenings when at rest as my ankles and feet really hurt when my foot droops off the end of my leg! I am wearing them now at work actually (as my AFOs have had to go back again) and they are really quite good. ... They obviously don’t offer the same amount of support that AFOs do but just give my foot a bit of a boost and supports my ankles a little from rolling too.

I will add a photo of these later.

ALSO I have some of the usual wrist splints with the metal bar on the underside... These are for when I am doing stuff round the house really, as my wrists just droop if I try to pick up even empty pans and things.

I’ll add a photos of these later also  ; )

I discussed about the hand / finger cramps and clenched fists and mentioned the night splints you guys used and she said that I could use my normal braces she just gave me at night. I don’t think she quite understood what I was explaining though, the braces she gave me today would not work for the clenching as they offer no resistance against the fingers.

I didn’t pursue this as this is not a priority right now.

I must say, I really have to sing Tanya’s praises, she is so good... prepared to discuss things and doesn’t patronise.

Today she said I was a “walking advertisement for the department” (orthotics) .

OMG, that was a bit of a long post, sorry guys!